The new release, Who We Are from Lifehouse seems to be a broken record of some sorts.
The words have changed, but the music and arrangement looks as if it has stayed the same. The lyrics have never been the problem with these melodic-based balladeers. They have always been able to deliver songs that read almost like poetry.
The problem with this new album is that the music sounds the same. The same old guitar leads, the same old drums and the same old bass. Its almost like listening to the same album with different lyrics inserted.
The music world was blessed in 2000 when this once-praise band recorded their first LP, No Name Face. This album would set them up for the ride of their lives. From then on out the group has moved on to be on the receiving end of international fame.
With songs like “Hanging By a Moment,” “Everything,” and their newest single from Who We Are, “First Time” being anthems for the overly emotional teenage girls and boyfriends looking for that one song to play for his love, its hard not to imagine why they have become so popular.
And like all good bands they found their niche. Their fans found what they had been looking for and from listening to this album and their past albums, the band is in no hurry to change up their sound.
As much as the lyrics read like poetry, the same old thing happens: lead singer, Jason Wade’s voice always blends in with the music behind him, making it difficult to understand what he’s singing.
Every band has their unique sound, unless you are talking about Creed, Fuel or Nickelback- but that’s beyond the point. What does matter is that even though a band has its sound, it’s not been a bad idea to try and re-evaluate that sound every couple of albums. Lifehouse it sounds has decided to take a different route, the same old thing.
There is something to be said about, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, but if you weren’t paying attention the song playing display on your iPod or which CD you put in your player, it would prove difficult to determine which song or which album you were listening to.