Many die-hard Lifehouse fans and music buffs alike remember the 2001 hit single ""Hanging by a Moment"" from the band's debut album, No Name Face. Back then, the members of Lifehouse—original members Rick Woolstenhulme Jr. and Jason Wade—were unrecognizable faces. Now, nine years after the band's first big hit, Lifehouse is a household name.
Written by Wade, ""Hanging by a Moment"" was the most-played song on the radio in 2001, particularly popular during the summer months. This success helped Lifehouse build a name for themselves. Several hits followed this summer jam, including 2005's ""You and Me.""
The band's new release, Smoke and Mirrors, contains more potential hits. This is the band's fifth studio album. Although the release date of the album was pushed back several times, the high quality of the final product justifies the wait. ""Halfway Gone,"" the album's first single, is upbeat, generating the same sound Lifehouse fans have always loved, but new and improved.
""Smoke and Mirrors"" features an exceedingly catchy chorus. A single listen will definitely get it stuck in listeners' heads. The song goes, ""Gotta break out of this place we are in / Runnin' out of time and out of sin / We were living smoke and mirrors anyway / Gonna drive all night 'til we disappear / Chasing down the miles so far from here /As the smoke and mirrors start to fade away / We're still the same."" These lyrics echo older themes sung by Lifehouse, but are enhanced, better than they were before.
""Falling In"" is an example of another great love song by Lifehouse. Faster than ""You and Me"" but still romance-worthy, ""Falling In"" keeps the upbeat tradition of the album going, but is still a fun song for couples to dance to or just to listen to for fun. Another song on the album, ""By Your Side,"" continues to show Lifehouse's soft, compassionate side.
""Had Enough"" features American Idol finalist Chris Daughtry, and his and Wade's voices sound great together. This adds more material to the upbeat library Lifehouse has generated throughout their history.
For fans of Lifehouse, Smoke and Mirrors should not disappoint, and it is definitely worth checking out for those still unfamiliar with the band's work.
