Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 81
 Who they have been all along June 19, 2007
Tom Benton (North Springfield, VT USA)
8 out of 27 found this review helpful
2002's "Stanley Climbfall," Lifehouse's sophomore effort, was widely regarded as a major disappointment upon its release; their subsequent album, a self-titled release which came out three years later, is viewed as their comeback. "Lifehouse" remains the group's second-best effort, their undisputed best being their great debut, 2000's "No Name Face." And now, two years after "Lifehouse," we have the band's fourth effort, "Who We Are." It should be a statement rather than a question, but it winds up as more of the latter. Is this who they are, a group of post-grunge rockers who will continue churning out increasingly-dated rock in the vein of Y2K bands like Nickelback or Creed? Truthfully, their music has hardly changed, rendering Lifehouse a sort of post-grunge time capsule.
"Lifehouse" had a more mellow sound, a refreshing break from the bombastic storm of razor-edged guitar from their earlier albums. The first half of "Who We Are" has a driving sound not unlike the group's first two releases, while the second half takes the mellower approach. It's clear that the members of Lifehouse have matured since their early efforts. The problem is their music, which lost its inventiveness with "Stanley Climbfall," regained some freshness for "Lifehouse," and now is completely stale on "Who We Are." Certain songs, like the single "First Time," or "Broken," which with a few tweaks could even be beautiful, sound fine on their own, but as a whole the album is devoid of any freshness at all. There's only one great song on the album, "Storm," a revision of one of Jason Wade's compositions from when the band was known as "Blyss."
"Who We Are" is a minor disappointment, because those who just want more of the same from Lifehouse will no doubt be quite satisfied. For those who were expecting some evolution after the promising "Lifehouse," however, there's little to make "Who We Are" worth listening to. It's the same old stinging guitar, the same pounding drums, and the same sometimes-thick/somethings-soaring vocals from bandleader Wade. When the group does try something a little different, like on "The Joke," the attempt at originality adds a little vigor to the effort, but the bulk of the material is practically lifeless. We know who they are, and Wade makes it clear that we realize they've matured, but if their music doesn't mature on their next release, Lifehouse is done for.
 Who We Are: You'll Be Hooked June 19, 2007
Mike (Boston, MA)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
Jason Wade and the guys are back in top form. This is probably their best release since "No Name Face" back in 2000---and, in many ways, this surpasses it since it shows off a more mature band that definitely knows "Who We Are".
There are several specific tracks that make this album stand out on the same level as NNF in my mind:
Whatever It Takes (track #3) - Personally, I think this should have been the first single. Not that "First Time" is bad or anything, but this song has so much going for it. This was the first "A+" in my mind and I knew this album was going to be special.
Broken (track #5) - If I was to pick one lyrical standout on this album, this song would win. One of Jason's best lyrical accomplishments.
Easier To Be (track #7) - My favorite new song. There is so much to love about this song. Catchy melody, beautiful lyrics. It's a great love song without being corny.
Storm (track #12) - My favorite song from "Diff's Lucky Day", re-recorded here with Jason's amazing vocals...if you don't feel something when you hear this song, something is definitely wrong with you. If you've never heard this song from the old release or live, you're in for quite a treat.
ALL Lifehouse fans should give this record a listen---even if you felt like "Stanley Climbfall" and the self-titled release were sub-par---this is a breath of fresh air. I really enjoyed listening to it. If you've never heard of Lifehouse before, pick up this disk along with "No Name Face" and you'll be hooked.
 New Album, Same Great Taste June 22, 2007
Greg (Houston, TX)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
Let me start by saing that I own and love all 3 of Lifehouse's previous albums. They make one solid album after another, although I think "No Name Face" will always remain my favorite. "Who We Are" seems to lean more towards Lifehouse's upbeat side, with not as many as the really slow and beautiful songs (which are usually my favorite ones). As a result, this is probably my least favorite album from them so far, but it's grown on me more every day. The first song, "Dissaray" is a upbeat tune similar to "Spin." I equally enjoyed the following song, "First Time." I think the album's title track (Who We Are) is one of my favorites, with a chorus that just won't get out of your head. "Broken" is one of the very few slow songs on here, and it's a very good one, making it likely to be the next single. "The Joke" is probably one of the worst songs I've ever heard from Lifehouse. I know that sounds harsh, but seeing as how I've never heard a bad song from them, that still leaves the song being ok. I just didn't care for Jason's wailing, especially after such a mellow track. "Make Me Over" is a very nice song, it has a great chorus and I think it could also be a good single. "Learn You Inside Out" sounds different for the band, using a very meloncholy piano and some unique singing from Jason. This is also one of my favorites from the album. The album closes with "Storm", and for the first minute or so, it's just Jason singing. It sounds excellent, and the music comes in very tastfully. Lifehouse is one of those bands that doesn't require a lot of change, and if you like the albums they've put out in the past, I can't see why you wouldn't like this one as well. They stick to what they're good at, but also bring in the occasional surprise.
The good old Lifehouse Sound June 19, 2007
Tp (whereever I need to be)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
after discovering "No Name Face" in 2001 I just fell in love with their music...and when they came out with "Stanley Climbfall" I bought it right away as I waited for another album like a child waits for Christmas... when I put the CD in and listened to the first tunes it brought a huge smile on my face.. The same happened with "Lifehouse"... I do not share the feeling that people always expect "different" things from groups... I like things I can depend on and Lifehouse's sound is a for sure thing... When I got "who we are" today and put it in the car cd player on my way home the familiar huge smile came back to my face. And I like it like that!!! When I buy second and third CD's from numerous groups it mostly takes some "getting used to" the new CD and I have to listen to it a couple times... What I like most about this new CD is that overall it is a little bit more "rockier" then the previous ones. Disarray, First Time, Who we are, The Joke and Bridges are more upbeat and listening to them just makes me want to sing along and be happy that they got a new album out! What really swept me off my feet was Storm... I always really liked the song and the lyrics but the new arrangements were Jason is just singing, with very tuned down background music, are absolutely amazing. It takes a GREAT voice to record a song without music (well almost no music). His voice is so amazing and on this song it really comes out!
So all in all this album is another great success! If you like any of the Lifehouse albums this one here is a must...and if you haven't heard of Lifehouse... you better get on it... with which one you want to start is up to you they are all great!
Love it! June 20, 2007
Charlotte J. Wood (Colorado)
5 out of 7 found this review helpful
I bought this on iTunes last night and listened to it this morning--I love it! Each song has its own sound to it, defying those who say all Lifehouse's songs sound the same. The songs have great messages and the beats and melodies are really contemporary and new. I'm a huge fan of this album and can't wait to see them in concert!
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