Lifehouse Album: “No Name Face”

This is only the second CD that I've purchased that gave me chills and brought tears on the first listen. These songs penetrate straight to your soul, to the questions and issues that are most pressing on your heart. Faith, love, sadness, confusion, hope...it's all here. The vocals are perfect with that new alternative sound, and the choruses have some incredibly inspiring lyrics. Here's an example:

"There goes my pain

These songs remind me of the spiritual things that sometimes get lost in life. They are the perfect combination of catchy music and beautiful writing that will last for years in my collection. I highly recommend purchasing this album! You will find these tunes in your head all of the time, and it's hard to resist from taking the CD out to the car, then back inside just to keep listening.

Jason Wade (vox, guitar) and Ron Aniello (producer) are the incredible songwriting team that is Lifehouse. Aniello's previous credits include a partnership with Jude Cole, known in industry circles as one of the best pop music writers and major soundtrack contributor. With Cole as manager, Aniello as producer and Wade as frontman, I predict No Name Face will bring Lifehouse much recognition.

Centered mid album, Trying (track 5) might be described as the band's signature song. An acoustic intro gives rise to Wade's soft yet gravelly, restrained yet emotive vocals. Next, send in a cello, more strings, then the lovely voice of kendall payne backing the first chorus; enter drums on verse 2, more strings, louder guitar, then keyboards with a chorus of backing vocals. The bridge that follows is simply beautiful--Wades sings "Well I haven't got it all figured out just yet" with an authenticity you can feel. This song, and others on this debut cd, pay homage to the universal fear of never quite realizing one's dreams, be they people, places,or shapes of the heart.

There are no weak tracks on No Name Face. Even the heavier songs are tempered by a unique mesh of acoustic elements. The lyrics are intelligent with a central theme of "i'm not quite there yet, but I know where I'm going" Buy this cd, and go along for the ride.

This album will be reviewed song by song like usual. 10 point scale. 10 = Absolutely amazing, 1 = Banging on a Tin Can

Hanging By A Moment, 9, Great great song that is defenetly becoming a big hit. Lyrics don't really hit home with me but it does sound great.

Sick Cycle Carousel, 9+, This is really really close to a 10 but just misses because theres a part in the song that sorta sounds bad to me, where he first sings sick cycle carousel, it just doesn't fit quite right although he does get it right the second time. Really good song though. Catchy as h*!#.

Unknown, 8, I know I've heard this song before, anywhoo it is a great song but gets a slightly lower score because it doesn't have too much originality to it. Who else sang this dang?

Somebody Elses Song, 8, Another great sounding song. "I remind myself of somebody else." OOOO what a great line. Great vocals.

Trying, 3, Eww, I don't like this song much at all. The lyrics all seem forced, the chorus is really tacky and cliched. One of the only songs I skip on the whole album.

Only One, 6, This is not a bad score at all. I do like this song it just didn't hook onto me. On most albums this could be a hit just not this one. Believe me bad songs DON'T get 6's.

Simon, 7, I absolutely love the backround to this song. It is so comforting and could put me to sleep (in a good way). The lyrics to this song reminds me a lot of Quasimodo. The musical part of this song is what gets me not the lyrics though. Good song.

Cling and Clatter, 4, Where is this song going? My teacher would say that this song has potential.

Breathing, 7, If there were two more verses in this song it would be absolutely great. But, even though the chorus is great and catchy, it is repeated too many times and I feel like there is something missing. Good song anyways though.

Quasimodo, 10, Best song on the cd. Extremely catchy and I love how it builds and builds as the song goes on and I seriously get goosebumps at the end. This is a perfect song.

Somewhere In Between, 8, Oh boy. My friend got a hold of this song and he can't stop listening to it. If I hear this song one more time I'm going to the funny farm. Anyways even though I can't listen to it anymore I can't deny that it's really good. Again another really catchy song and nice and relaxing. Na na na na naaa na na.

Everything, 9, Another great song that builds on itself as it goes. When Jason starts singing, you're all I want, you're all i need, you're everyting, it gives me goosebumps. Great closer.

Any song that is scored 8 or above is absolutely great. This album has 7 songs that fit in this category. This is probably one of the Top 5 albums of the year and I'm predicting it to become absolutely huge. Please check it out you'll like it.

I bought No Name Face in June 2001.

I haven't stopped listening to it.

I bought it having heard only "Hanging By A Moment" on the radio. I expected to like about five songs off of it - I certainly didn't expect to become a crazy Lifehouse fan like I am today.

All the songs are gorgeous, but by far the one that stands out the most would definitely be "Everything." It's the most beautiful song I've ever heard. It absolutely moves me. Close behind it are "Breathing", "Somewhere In Between" and "Only One." I'd have to say my favorite is "Everything", because it's just so beautiful.

I've noticed people compare Lifehouse to Creed, and I think it's pretty close. (Only thing is, Lifehouse is way better in my eyes.) Lifehouse's songs have spiritual meaning in them, which I think is great - whether you're Christian or not you can enjoy their beautiful lyrics.

It's certainly not a waste of your time and money. If you've been questioning buying NNF, DON'T QUESTION ANYMORE! GO BUY IT!

Lifehouse will forever be remembered for their hit Hanging by a Moment, the first single off this CD. That is also why I got this CD in the first place. I can now officially say that I love Lifehouse! Their vocals are great, the guitars are nothing but superb and well, they're just plain close to perfect. If you like this CD, check out their new CD Lifehouse (which features another kickass song from them, You and Me) and their earlier CD, Stanley Climbfall. And just for fun, click the "yes" button to the proceeding question.