Quick 'N Dirty Review: Lifehouse | Smoke & Mirrors

Before we start, here's a quick look at the rating system that we use here at The Dirtywhirl:

100 - Classic Album; One Of The Best Of All Time
99-90 - Exceptional Work; Rush Out And Get This
89-80 - Very, Very Good; You Should Still Go Out And Get This
79-70 - Not Bad At All; Might Actually Be Worth Your Time
69-60 - Has Its Moments But On The Whole... Meh
59-50 - Won't Make Your Ears Bleed; Won't Make You Dance, Either
49-0 - Don't Waste Your Time; You're Smarter Than This (Probably) 

Now... onto the review:

Lifehouse | Smoke & Mirrors

I have a film theory that I like to call "The Vince Vaughn Effect." Basically, it goes like this - Vince Vaughn plays the same character in every movie he does. Earth-shattering, right? Your mind is probably blown right now. Seriously though, he really does. Aside from the rare stretch like Psycho, he never ventures out of his comfort zone as an actor yet somehow it works because it's such a damn entertaining character. It's also sort of comfortable in a way knowing what you're going to get going into a Vaughn movie. Why do I bring this seemingly random point up now? Lifehouse has released their fifth studio record, Smoke & Mirrors, and there's something very Vince Vaughn-y about it (and yes, we are really reviewing a Lifehouse album). If you like Lifehouse's first record... or their second... or their third... or even their fourth, you're going to like Smoke & Mirrors because they're all essentially the same. Nothing changes from album to album and, as long as both the band and their audience are OK with that, what's the harm? They do what they do - create inoffensive pop/rock about love and commitment with hooks crafted for maximum catchiness - and don't pretend to be anything more than what they actually are, and that's probably why they sell a shitton of records. Lead single "Halfway Gone" sounds like it would make a good car commercial someday, but it's catchy. "It Is What It Is" is cloyingly emotional in its portrayal of a failing relationship as singer/guitarist Jason Wade sings, "Too long we've been denying/ Now we're both tired of trying/ We hit a wall/ And we can't get over it," but it works. "By Your Side" and "Falling In" are sappy, but they've got killer hooks. Lifehouse is never getting any better than this as it's easy to see that they've maximized whatever talent they possess, and their songs are interchangeable to the point where, were you to play me a song from any of their records I'd probably struggle to tell you which album it was taken from because they're all so similar, but dammit if I don't really enjoy this band. They're musical junk food that's based on personal preference. Some people love Doritos and some people think they're terrible but everyone can agree that they're really not substantive. That's Lifehouse in a tortilla chip, er... nutshell. Once you take Smoke & Mirrors for what it is - an unabashed pop/rock record - it actually does what it sets out to do pretty successfully. Sometimes, that's enough.

Standout Tracks: "It Is What It Is;" "By Your Side;" "Falling In"

Dirty Rating: 59/100

Smoke & Mirrors - Lifehouse