Album Review: Lifehouse – Out of the Wasteland (2015 LP)

I’ve always had a soft spot for Lifehouse. Having grown up with the band during my teenage years and listening to records such as No Name No FaceStanley ClimbfallWho We Are and Smoke & Mirrors, I loved how intimate and honest the songs they created back then and it created a wonderful space of comfort whenever I needed something pleasant to listen to. With their latest offering of Out of the Wasteland, Lifehouse have brought a strong alternative rock sound in their music, maintaining a consistent sound that has brought a cohesive album…

I feel like in this entire record, Lifehouse have stayed in their comfort zone in creating alternative rock songs and it’s unfortunate for myself that I felt a slight disconnect when listening to this album. Songs like “Hurricane” and “One For The Pain” open the album with good impressions but not enough to entice me as a listener. The songs are enough to be appreciated for what they are as they provide enjoyable alternative rock/pop elements, giving a similar sound to OneRepublic but the lyrics seem repetitive and mediocre.

Not long after, the middle of the record offers a nice feeling of collaboration with backing vocalist/bass player, Bryce Soderberg taking the lead in “Stardust” with frontman, Jason Wadeproviding a nice harmonic melody as the co-singer of the song. The chemistry in this song is real and it’s refreshing to hear this on the record with Lifehouse’s take on creating a solid power pop track. It’s catchy, rhythmic and free-spirited with its lyrics and sound dynamic.

“Alien” contends to be one of the best songs off the record as it’s honest and simplistic with what it wants to say. Wade’s vocals creates a space of harmony and it has a perfect balance between the genres of alternative rock and pop. There’s an edge to it that showcases the band not trying too hard by maintaining a number that captures the real essence of their sixth studio record, Smoke & Mirrorswhich was an album that focused a lot on their acoustics.

“Central Park” is a memorable and wonderfully crafted song and it brings nostalgic memories. The lyrics are visionary and comforting and they complement so well with the musicianship of the band. Through here, it shows Wade’s talent of creating lyrics that are meaningful and hopeful, and this leaves a nice impression to any new or old fan of the band. Even if there’s songs on Out of the Wasteland that bring a sense of disconnect, this is one of the few tracks off the LP that pretty much defines the positive impact Lifehouse have created for thousands of fans around the world with their music.

Overall, this record still offers some sweet tunes to the table. Lifehouse will always be a band that isn’t afraid to let their guard down and it’s been proven time and time again that they deliver without fail. Out of the Wasteland is no masterpiece but it’s a record that highly executes the band’s way of bringing out authentic tunes for a rainy day.

Review Score: 7.0 out of 10

Out of the Wasteland is available now

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