Review of the album “Who We Are” by Lifehouse

Everyone knows what a ‘chick flick’ is, right? Well this album, “Who We Are” by Lifehouse is the musical equivalent of that ‘girls’ night out’ staple. Lifehouse’s third album offers more of their signature style—upbeat, romantic, pop ballads full of jangling guitars and soulful lyrics.

These guys specialize in poetry set to music. For example, the track ‘Broken’:

‘I’m fallin’ apart, I’m barely breathing,
With a broken heart, that’s still beating,
In the pain there is healing,
In your name, I find healing,
So I’m holding on, holding on,
I’m barely holding on to you.”

This is the kind of music your mother would approve of, no sexual references, no drugs or suicidal thoughts. Just talk about relationships and being true to yourself and others. On ‘Easier to Be’ they sing:

“You make it easier to be,
Easier to be me, it’s hard to believe,
You didn’t give up on me, I let myself go,
You were still there, like coming up for air, yeah, yeah.”

I know, sappy and sweet. Almost too much so. My children refuse to listen to this CD with me, they find it boring. But it is a guilty pleasure of mine, soothing in a way previously only Enya could be. It makes a great contrast to my emo AFI music and the loud Linkin Park and NIckelback albums. It’s great stuff to listen to when I’m writing about Requiem, I can see him saying these kind of things to Regina.

By far, the best song of the batch is ‘First Time’. It’s already being used for a car commercial on television; it’s got a great hook and a catchy tune. I bet you’d recognize it if you heard it, even if you’re not familiar with Lifehouse.

“We’re both lookin’ for something, we’ve been afraid to find.
It’s easier to be broken, it’s easier to hide.
Lookin’ at you, holding my breath,
For once in my life, I’m scared to death,
I’m taking a chance, letting you inside.”

The lyrics in this song remind me of some of the things Julia Cameron says in her ‘Artist’s Way’ essays.

So there you have it. Would I recommend this album? Yes, as long as you know what you’re getting; you’re gonna love the sugar rush.