Lifehouse
(photo credit:www.lifehousemusic.com)
Lifehouse: Smoke and Mirrors
Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins
Although Smoke and Mirrors, the fifth album from a band that has been around for a decade now, was released four months ago, it’s still one of my personal favorites that I thought deserved a mention.
What is not to like about this band? They can rock out with the best of them. They can release songs like “Halfway Gone,” their fastest selling single to date, and their newest one “All In,” and they are instantly familiar songs that radio embraces. They can write songs that can refer to that one you love or have Christian undertones that the secular market still embraces. Not gonna lie. In my opinion, they do no wrong.
Smoke and Mirrors refers to the fact that this band can do both: great rock songs and popular radio hits. And while it’s true that this album seems to lean towards the latter, it’s a great selection of songs. “Nerve Damage,” is a personal favorite just because it is the edgiest song on the cd, but I love the message of commitment in “All In.” I read that Chris Daughtry helped write “Had Enough,” and it has that bands sound to it, with Jason Wade’s great voice and extra vocals added by Chris himself. “It is What it Is,” is a great ballad, the backing vocals and simple “oh” added strategically throughout make it one of those songs I will repeat before going on to the next song. I like the message of making the most of life in “In Your Skin,” and the fact that it is one of the few rock songs on this round of songs.
Itunes has a deluxe version available, making it possible to add four more songs to your Lifehouse collection. I bought all of them and thought they were all worth it, but “Don’t Wake Me When it’s Over,” was my favorite. Be sure to check them out on Itunes or visit www.lifehousemusic.com
