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Lifehouse - "No Name Face" Lifehouse is a California trio (by way of the Pacific Northwest) led by guitarist/singer/ songwriter Jason Wade. The son of missionary parents, the Wade family lived in China for a spell and various other countries, before settling down in Malibu. Wade knew his calling early on as a result of having both spiritual and musical parents. Originally called Blyss, the band got its start in 1996 when Wade hooked up with other teens from the neighborhood church youth group. They went from playing gigs in local churches to eventually opening for Pearl Jam. Lifehouse paid it's dues in various music scenes of Seattle and Portland, until Wade brought Lifehouse to life in Los Angeles. Don't call them a Seattle band though! Wade says they missed the whole Seattle/Sub Pop thing. Lifehouse is rounded out by Sergio Andrade on bass and Diff on tubs. Their thick sound has been compared to the likes of Creed, Live and Pearl Jam, but Wade insists Lifehouse is entirely original. They inked a deal with Dreamworks after years of gigging in L.A., and released their debut album No Name Face in October 2000. Producer Ron Ailleo and engineer Brendan O'Brien appear to have formed a tight bond with the band and the project. The results speak for themselves. No Name Face offers up twelve powerful tracks, all of which were penned by Wade. The albums first single and strongest track, "Hanging By A Moment", is currently racing up charts the world over. In it the singer speaks to his girlfriend and the world. "I'm running and not quite sure where to go/ I don't know what I'm diving into/ I'm hanging by a moment here with you." Reminiscent of the current 3 Doors Down song "Kryptonite", both sonically and vocal wise, "Hanging…" seems to capture the spirit and ever important timing of the day.

Sponsored Links: Market your band or artist World Music Downloads Search for MP3 sites Lifehouse @ CanEHdian: Discussion Forum Audio Files Interactive Poll Artist Links Buying Guide Newsletter Many of No Name Face's tracks begin subtly and build to a monstrous crescendo, like the clever "Quasimodo", which parallels the burdens that the infamous Notre Dame hunchback contended with. There are a few "quieter" moments on the album as well: introspective numbers like, "Somebody Else's Song" and "Breathing" that show another side of Lifehouse. Jason Ward's lyrics are spiritually inspired and span the volatile territories of conformity and human relationships. It's no wonder that he writes with an appreciation for cultures and experiences beyond his years. However, upon initial listening to many of the tracks on No Name Face, it's clear that the inevitable comparison to bands of today's genre like Creed, Bush and Pearl Jam, to name but a few, are going to follow Lifehouse around. The moody overtones of many of the songs and the voice of Jason Ward will undoubtedly bring this home. Having said that, Lifehouse have more to offer than simply being pretenders. Although Jason Ward & Co are clearly not turning new sod or exploring uncharted territory on their debut release, rock music fans of today's post grunge guitar heavy scene will definitely cozy up to Lifehouse. Perhaps the downside, if there is one, is that Lifehouse sound suspiciously like many of their peers, but on the strength alone of "Hanging By A Moment", this band will persevere. By Stephen Marsh, CanEHdian.com 2001