I'm hanging by a moment here with you (No Name Face - Lifehouse)

Member Name: DixieChick101

Product:	No Name Face - Lifehouse
Date:	01/09/08 (168 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great singer, great lyrics, great band.

Disadvantages: Not much

I remember when I first came across Lifehouse. We were sitting watching our annual school talent show thing when one guy got up and sung You & Me, it was such a beautiful performance that I immediately went straight into the shops and brought the two albums as there was no youtube yet.

These two albums still remain in my collection all these years later and I'll never get rid of them. They have some of the most amazing songs ever released. Here is the review of the first album.

---------------------------------
Who are Lifehouse?
---------------------------------

Lifehouse are an American rock band who are signed by DreamWorks Records and came to fame with their release of this album No Name Face and their first track Hanging By A Moment. This song was one of the most played songs of 2001 and brought Jason Wade and his band to stardom.

---------------------------------
The Album
---------------------------------

Track 1- Hanging by a Moment
Track 2- Sick Cycle Carousel
Track 3- Unknown
Track 4- Somebody Else's Song
Track 5- Trying
Track 6- Only One
Track 7- Simon
Track 8- Cling & Clatter
Track 9- Breathing
Track 10- Quasimodo
Track 11- Somewhere In Between
Track 10- Everything

------------------------------------------------
Track 1- Hanging by a Moment
------------------------------------------------
This was the song that catapulted the band to stardom and amazingly it actually only took Jason Wade who is the bands lead singer 5 minutes to write. I heard the song a couple of years afterwards and it was the song that made me buy the album. It's quite a unique track on the album as it's the only real song that can be considered rock, the rest of them are more mellow than this one. The thing that makes this song for me has to be Jason Wade's voice, it's so deep and so raw and unique. He's not overpowered by the music either and manages to power it, this is a great opener to what is a brilliant album. A song that will stick in your head for days and even better when it's done acoustically.

Memorable Lyrics: "I'm falling even more in love with you, letting go of all I've held onto, I'm standing here until you make me move, and I'm hanging by a moment here with you"

Rating: 9/10 (One of the stronger tracks on the album, it's just a great beat and it's pretty amazing that it was only written in 5 minutes)

------------------------------------------------
Track 2- Sick Cycle Carousel
------------------------------------------------

It starts off very slow and it's just Wade and a guitar and his words seems to be quite mumbled together which is why I don't really like this song. It builds up and gets louder but I still struggle to here what he is saying which is important to me when I listen to music. I am not a fan of this song, the music is not his strongest and neither is his voice, which is not used to it's full potential as you could hear in Hanging By A Moment.

Memorable Lyrics: "If shame had a face I think it would kind of look like mine, if it had a home would it be my eyes"

Rating: 5/10 (One of the weaker tracks on the album, listenable but that's about it)

------------------------------
Track 3- Unknown
-------------------------------

One of the weaker songs on the album, it's a very nice sounding song and his voice is very powerful and the lyrics are nice, however it struggles to stay in your mind and become a memorable song which is what you really want. Definitely not one that you'll find yourself singing but a nice track all together.

Memorable Lyrics: "This doubt is screaming in my face in this familiar place"

Rating: 5/10 (Another weak track)

------------------------------------------------
Track 4- Somebody Else's Song
------------------------------------------------

Another weak track compared to a lot of them, however it is a very good song as it really shows off his vocals to their full potential. It's a very angsty song and the track is actually quite an intelligent one when you look at the lyrics. Some amazing music here, however it's not that memorable.

Memorable Lyrics: "Can't change this feeling, I'm way out of touch, Can't change this meaning, It means too much, Never been this lonely, Never felt so good, Can't be the only one misunderstood"

Rating: 7/10 (A weaker track to some, however some great lyrics and his voice is amazing)
Track 5- Trying

A very nice slow track, quite peaceful to listen to which is what this album is about, the instruments as well as his voice are used to their best potential but you can't help but think this is just a filler track, it's memorable but not as memorable as a lot of others to come, which is a shame as it's an alright song.

Memorable Lyrics: "I haven't memorised all of the cute things to say, but I'm working on it"

Rating: 7/10 (A nice song, not that memorable though)

-------------------------------
Track 6- Only One
-------------------------------
A nice slow song, with a brilliant beat and his voice is just so pure in this song it's a delight to listen to. This is where the songs begin to pick up. It picks up slightly in the middle and still stays a beautiful song, Wade's voice works so well together with the instruments and he makes sure he doesn't get overpowered and his voice still sounds pure and not over pushed.

Memorable Lyrics: "She's got a pretty smile, It covers up the poison that she hides, She walks around in circles in my head, Waiting for a chance to break me chance to take me down, Now I see the burden you gave me, Is too much to carry too much to bury inside"

Rating: 8/10 (A nice track with Wade's voice shining through)

-------------------------------
Track 7- Simon
-------------------------------

One of my favourites on the album, it's a very moving song but it's very cheery and helps you come out of a bad mood. It's a very beautiful guitar piece in the back as well, which works so well with Wade's voice which makes it just so much better. The lyrics are what make this song so brilliant though, they are haunting and sung so well by Wade that you just can't help but want to listen. His voice is so unique and so deep, if you like Alex Band's voice from The Calling then I'm sure you'll appreciate the greatness that is Jason Wade.

Memorable Lyrics: "Locked inside, the only place, where you feel sheltered, when you feel safe, you lost yourself?"

Rating: 9/10 (One of the strong one's on the track, very slow but still quite an upbeat song and a joy to listen to)

-------------------------------
Track 8- Cling & Clatter
-------------------------------

Quite a unique song on the album, but not in a bad way. It manages to be a faced paced song but still stay relaxing and follow the rest of the track. To me it feels like another song just added in, just to show what's to come next. It's a brilliant song, however not the best as the next four to come are truly brilliant.

Memorable Lyrics: "And I am contemplating matters, all this cling and clatter in my head, and what you said is ringing, ringing faster"

Rating: 8/10 (A very good track a joy to listen to)

-------------------------------
Track 9- Breathing
-------------------------------

The lyrics are well written and it's a very nice song. It's very moving and you can almost hear Wade's thoughts as he expresses his emotions so well through his singing. Some great instrumental pieces in the music which is a great addition.

Memorable Lyrics: "I am hanging on every word you say, and even if you don't want to speak tonight, that's alright"

Rating: 8/10 (A very nice song and addition to the album)

-------------------------------
Track 10- Quasimodo
-------------------------------

One of the best tracks on the album, a very upbeat track to start with, it's very instrumental based as well as the guitar focuses a lot in this and is quite heavy, but like usual his voice isn't overpowered and he manages to perform this song with such soul and such rawness in his voice. A truly amazing voice and an amazing song. This is the sort of song, that will grow on you, you'll listen to it the first time and go, that's an alright song, but the next time you'll listen to the lyrics and undersand what an amazing song it really is. Pure brilliance.

Memorable Lyrics: "There goes my pain, there goes my chains, and did you see them falling, because this feeling has no meaning"

Rating: 9/10 (A very strong track with some great lyrics and his voice is just tremendous)

------------------------------------------------- ---
Track 11- Somewhere In Between
------------------------------------------------- ---

Another slow track, but one of the best. His voice really shines with this song and you find yourself almost melting it's that good. The lyrics to this song are just as beautiful as his voice, so strong and so meaningful. You can hear how much emotion he puts into this song, a very deep song which you can listen to over and over again.

Memorable Lyrics: "I can't be losing sleep, over this, no I can't and now I cannot stop pacing, give me a few hours, I'll have this all sorted out, if my mind would just stop racing"

Rating- 9/10 (A very moving and deep song a definite favourite)

-------------------------------
Track 10- Everything
-------------------------------

The best track on the album, it was used a lot in TV shows and rightly so. Probably the slowest and longest song on the album, but it's such a moving piece you can't help but listen to every word. This song was actually written by Wade when he was only 16 years old, which is amazing considering the emotion and depth in the song. A very simple song, with just his voice and a guitar and it works so well. The end is my favourite, I like the slow bit, however when it picks up it gives you goosebumps it's that amazing. Wade really speaks from the heart in this song and it's a beautiful piece of music, one that will be remembered for a long time to come. Well written, well sung and most importantly, well put together by the band.

Memorable Lyrics: "And how can I, Stand here with you, And not be moved by you, Would you tell me, How could it be, Any better than this"

Rating: 10/10 (A slower track, but definitely the best. So moving and so memorable. Well worth listening to)

-------------------------------
Overall Opinion
-------------------------------

This album is such a joy to listen to, especially the last few tracks. They are truly some amazing music, some that you will probably love. I couldn't imagine this CD not being in my collection as it's filled with some amazing songs and even the weak ones aren't rated that low as they are still very nice and listenable songs.

The whole album in my opinion is brought together by one thing and one thing only, Jason Wade. He wrote the lyrics and he added one of the most powerful voices in alternative rock there's ever been. I think he could sing anything and he'd get the ladies swooning. This album seriously is a easy listen, but you will be talking about it months later as it's such a thought provoking album, with some brilliant songs.

The lyrics are just truly amazing and considering that Wade wrote a lot of them in his teenage years, and released this album when he was only 21 shows his maturity level is way beyond his years. His lyrics touch you to your very soul. They make you question things, and look at your life. They are deep, moving and most of all a joy to listen to.

It's one of my favourite albums of all time and I'm glad I went out on a whim and brought this album and their next one as they are such enjoyable and amazing albums. This album may not be for everyone, but if you like the likes of Matchbox 20, The Calling or even Train you will love Lifehouse. This album has something for everyone, Hanging By A Moment is one of my favourite rock songs of all time, it's so deep and such a unique song for Lifehouse.

I would recommend buying this album 100 times over, it's filled with some of the best songs ever and most importantly Jason Wade's voice is one you have to listen to.

---------------
Vocals
---------------

The vocals in this are just brilliant, sung completely by the lead signer Jason Wade, who some of you might know from the movie Shrek where he sung a song called You Belong To Me. His voice is very unique and is never overpowered by the music, no matter how much is used. It's very deep and raw and just one you really have to listen to.

---------------
Lyrics
---------------

The lyrics were all or mostly by Jason Wade, he wrote a lot of the songs when he was still just a kid and this shows how amazing this singer songwriter is, as I know I couldn't be writing songs this deep and this meaningful at 16 years old. Truly tremendous.

---------------
The Music
---------------

The music works with Wade's voice so well, a great accompaniment however it only really accentuates Wade's voice, it doesn't really amaze you with some great riffs like other artists do.

Should you buy the album.

Definitely, it's a awesome album with everything you could want. A great addition to your collection.

Hoped this helps. I will be reviewing their second CD tomorrow. Check it out.

© Kirsty.

Summary: Well worth listening to, such an amazing band.