Out of the Wasteland

Lifehouse

Ironworks/Kobalt Label Services, 2015

http://www.lifehousemusic.com

REVIEW BY: Pete Crigler

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 06/15/2015

After taking a two-year hiatus and losing a member and their major label deal, Lifehouse has returned. On this, their seventh(!) record, the band is on an indie label run by their manager, Jude Cole; it’s hard to believe they’ve been around since I was in high school. Truth be told: I didn’t expect to like this record because, hey, there’s no way Lifehouse could make a great record in 2015. But Jesus Christ, was I wrong!my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

The always-reliable songwriting of guitarist/singer Jason Wade comes back in full power on this release. The main single, “Hurricane,” is another great pop song from the band and sounds like classic Lifehouse from the beginning of the 2000s. Everything about the song is amazing and it sounds like the good ol’ style of ‘Adult Alternative’ that I grew up loving.

Another standout is the melodic “Flight,” which is just one of those songs that sticks in your head and won’t disappear. Unfortunately, not every song is a winner; “Runaways” is the type of song that meanders and doesn’t really seem to have a purpose. Wade’s vocals are on point throughout the disc, however. He always has had one of those voices that was tailor-made for radio. “One For The Pain” is the best example of how great his voice still sounds after all this time.

“Stardust,” written by bassist Bryce Soderberg is a great surprise, an upbeat, almost dance-y track that really works and is quite a great standout in Lifehouse’s catalog. “Hurt This Way,” while tackling a sensitive subject, manages to bring the sunshine into the darkness in a very poppy way. The quiet, piano ballad “Hourglass” is a fine way to close the album.

Lifehouse is just one of those bands that even though you may not like the whole record, there’s going to be more than enough to keep you interested. This is what they’ve been doing for years and it keeps working. Always credible, always reliable. In the end, the band has made one of the more delightfully interesting records of the year! By the way: where is their greatest hits release?

Rating: B

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© 2015 Pete Crigler and The Daily Vault. All rights reserved. Review or any portion may not be reproduced without written permission. Cover art is the intellectual property of Ironworks/Kobalt Label Services, and is used for informational purposes only.