Music Review: Lifehouse's "Smoke & Mirrors"

Music Review

Lifehouse' "Smoke & Mirrors"

By our guest blogger, Sanela Djokovic

Lifehouse found their niche a long time ago and have not strayed from it. If it sells then it ain’t broken, and that means there is no need for fixing. “Smoke & Mirrors,” the fifth studio album from the Alt-Rock/ Pop-Rock band is a good compilation of sweet prom tunes and upbeat choruses of the catchiest proportions. Although leaning slightly towards a more up-tempo, classic rock sound, this album is classic Lifehouse.


If there is anything Lifehouse can do, it is hit us over the head with a catchy chorus and have us grunting out its like lyrics like front man Jason Wade, whether we want to or not. Their lead single “Halfway Gone,” is as radio-friendly and infectious as anything they have ever done. Jason Wade, who wrote or co-wrote almost every song on the album, and the rest of the band apply the heavy-hitting and amusing sound to a number of their songs. “Nerve Damage” may offer a tinge of cynicism in its lyrical content, but the song, about seeing past phoniness (I see through your clothes/Your nerve damage shows), is an engaging roller-coaster ride, going from low and lingering verses to a bursting chorus, from a vigorous guitar solo to a bluesy guitar solo. It adds a little complexity to their deeply rooted signature sound.

Another immersive and fun track is “Smoke & Mirrors,” a song about escape and breaking out. This is where we can hear a hint of old-school rock, making it a good song to spaz out to while driving solo, but still a far cry from “Livin’ On a Prayer.”

There also is plenty of crooning on this album, a side Lifehouse often has exposed to us. “From Where You Are” and “By Your Side” are soft and sweet, perfect for a CD mix for the boo. “Falling In,” a mid-tempo love song, seems constructed to make girls swoon and is just right for the fan-made video montages of favorite TV couples on YouTube: “Everytime I see your face/ My heart takes off on a high-speed chase/ Don’t be scared/ It’s only love we’re falling in.” Corny, but effective.

A nice surprise on the album is Chris Daughtry’s subtle appearance on “Had Enough.” His background vocals alone complement and enhance the song. A less-pleasant surprise comes from “Wrecking Ball,” which features bassist and back-up vocalist Bryce Soderberg singing lead vocals, thus stripping Lifehouse of their most distinct quality and making the band sound unrecognizable.

Most people will find a lot of cheese on “Smoke & Mirrors,” but one man’s definition of cheese is another man’s definition of heart. Either way, there are enough catchy songs on this disc to satisfy fans of the group.