LifeHouse has emerged from the silence once again to drop upon us, "Stanley Climbfall". I am not certain to the significance behind the albums title, but one thing that remains known is the fact that this album is well above average. From track one to fourteen, the album has been wonderfully produced. The album is not flawless, but those flaws are heavily overshadowed by the remaining balance and value.

LifeHouse found themselves mature in the music world in a rapid fashion due to their overwhelming success of their debut album, "No Name Face". Listeners fell in love with their catchy rifts and well ordered style. In addition, their tracks were loaded with characteristics that mainstream followers can easily adapt to. Not only did LifeHouse gather the attention from the fair weather fans, but their loyal following continued showing their support and passion. They proved to have had what it took to get a quick start durectly out of the gate and since that time they have yet to look back. Luckily for music fans, "Stanley Climbfall" is a remarkable record that breathes life into a somewhat drab music scene.

"Stanley Climbfall" departs slightly from their original sound showcased on their debut, but they never drift too far from that initial sound. LifeHouse manages to have an extraordinary feel for the trendy rock pop style and they use that to their benefit. I am not sure that I would tack the label 'sell-out' on the bands head, but this album exhibits a shockingly watered down sound. However, they have taken their sound and managed to produce a solid set list containing 14 tracks. I would even go out on a limb to cast my respect and admiration towards Lifehouse. The band has taken a successful sound and geared it to resemble a style that seems almost prevalent in today's modern music era, respectively radio music. Some bands, which i have referenced in past reviews, end up outputting the same sound album after album after album, into which one is inclined to find them repetitive and boring. Lifehouse, on the other hand, now has 2 albums with 2 distinct sounds, both of which are impressively well done.

"Stanley Climbfall" features a 58:23 expedition. On that expedition you can hear traces of other bands, mainly minor reflections. Some of those bands include: Pearl Jam, Creed, Soundgarden, Blind Melon, etc. LifeHouse doesn't dwell on any of them in particular, but at times they nearly mimic those bands to perfection. The fact that front man, Jason Wade, sounds freakishly similar to Eddie Vedder may have something to do with their indirect replication. During a few instances, I referred to LifeHouse as a modern day Pearl Jam, one of which actually deserves attention. If only Pearl Jam would have stuck to the style used in their first two albums, they may just have sounded how "Stanley Climbfall" sounds today.

While Lifehouse does revive the rock genre, they place a few seeds in the pop genre. This creates a sound that is not only unoriginal, but some may say worn out. But Lifehouse manages to sway off the well travelled path, by steering rock pop in a new direction. The band incorporates several styles, many not found on their debut album, into one solid track list.

I have not been able to narrow down my favorite tracks from the album, but I have plotted a range of those I am fond of:

'Spin' and 'Wash' are very well written songs. Each of these tracks vary significantly from the other, but a slight similarity does exist between the two. Both songs paint vivid imagery and remain focused throughout.

'Am I Ever Gonna To Find Out' tops the previous two songs, in regards to my appreciation. The vocal emphasis is outstanding, as they are relied upon in order for the progression of the song. The lyrics are well coordinated and associated with a hook that captivates and toys with one on a personal level.

'Stanley Climbfall' is a mind boggling emotional rollercoaster that tends to pull sincerity from my veins. The song is not an instrumental masterpiece, but more so a calm cool instrumental groove that places the limelight onto the lyrics. The gloomy feel of 'Stanley Climbfall' is nothing more than an atmosphere in which the story is told, the characters in this story (the lyrics) are far more important.

'The Beginning' is a slow mover, but worth every second of its 4:40 length. Again Lifehouse places the burden on the lyrics and rightfully so. The track remains gentle for the most part, at times hints at becoming uncharacteristically heavy. Although it never reaches any unexplored area, it does provide an enjoyable experience. There is nothing jaw-dropping about this track, but it is surprisingly solid for how basic it looks from the outside.

'How Long' is one of the bonus tracks on "Stanley Climbfall". This is an excellent song that provides the album with depth and catchiness. The repetitious bass drum used in the track is not earth shattering, but the expected bang is intriguing nonetheless. The lyrics have that Vedderish feel (mentioned above), but you never mistake Wade with Vedder at any moment is this song, or any song for that matter. 'How Long' has a great flow and enforces the idea that good music can be brought out of old ideas.

In conclusion:
I recommend this album to anyone willing to take a listen. The album as a whole is extremely solid and full of depth. While each track may not spin your head, each track gained my respect and swallowed my full attention. For that matter I am throwing 4.5 Planets at LifeHouse - "Stanley Climbfall".
 

Track Listing:
01. Spin
02. Wash
03. Sky Is Falling
04. Anchor
05. Am I Ever Gonna Find Out
06. Stanley Climbfall
07. Out Of Breath
08. Just Another Name
09. Take Me Away
10. My Precious
11. Empty Space
12. The Beginning
13. How Long (bonus track)
14. Sky Is Falling (bonus track)

Ramz Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Planets


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