Smoke & Mirrors (Lifehouse album)

Last updated

Smoke & Mirrors
Lifehouse smoke and mirrors.png
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 2, 2010 (2010-03-02)
Recorded2008–2009
Genre
Length45:00
Label Geffen
Producer
Lifehouse chronology
Who We Are
(2007)
Smoke & Mirrors
(2010)
Almería
(2012)
Singles from Smoke & Mirrors
  1. "Halfway Gone"
    Released: October 26, 2009
  2. "All In"
    Released: May 18, 2010

Smoke & Mirrors is the fifth studio album by American alternative rock band Lifehouse. It was released on March 2, 2010, by Geffen Records. Lifehouse began to work on the album with record producer Jude Cole in the fall of 2008 at Cole's Ironworks Studio. The band collaborated with American singer-songwriter Kevin Rudolf and Chris Daughtry of the band Daughtry while working on the album.

Contents

The album received mixed reviews from critics, and peaked at number six on the Billboard 200, selling 54,000 copies in its first week. It became the fourth highest debut album on the chart for the week of March 20, 2010. It also debuted at number 15 on the Canadian Albums Chart, which became its peak on the chart.

The album's lead single, "Halfway Gone", was released October 26, 2009, charting on several Billboard charts including Billboard's Hot 100, Adult Contemporary, Digital Songs, Hot Dance Club Songs, Pop Songs, and Radio Songs charts.

Background

Lifehouse began working on the album with record producer Jude Cole in the fall of 2008, after the band had come off of the tour that supported their fourth studio album, Who We Are. The band worked on Smoke & Mirrors for over a year, recording thirty-five tracks, before settling on the twelve tracks that appear on the album. [1] During this time, the band collaborated with American singer-songwriter Kevin Rudolf on the album's lead single, "Halfway Gone" and with Daughtry's lead singer Chris Daughtry on the song "Had Enough". [2] In an interview with Billboard, Rudolf said, "I chose [to do] 'Halfway Gone' because Jason Wade is such a great writer, great singer, and great artist." [3]

In an interview with They Will Rock You, when asked about recording the song "Smoke & Mirrors", lead Lifehouse percussionist Rick Woolstenhulme, Jr. said:

"The very first track that we recorded for the album is the track called Smoke & Mirrors which ended up being the name of the album. That song is very Americana and almost Petty-esque in a way. For that song we literally came from the road and headed right into the studio and that was the first song that was brought to the table. It was cut in two or three takes." [4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [5]
Alternative Addiction Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [6]
Jesus Freak HideoutStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Melodic.net Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [8]
Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg (Deluxe) [9]
SputnikmusicStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [10]
The TuneStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]

Smoke & Mirrors received mixed reviews from critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic gave a mixed review of the album, calling it ingratiating, but also commented on how the album would "never [form] anything amounting to any identity." [5]

Commercial performance

In the United States, the album debuted at number six on the Billboard 200, which became its peak on the chart. [12] It sold 54,000 copies in its first week, and became Lifehouse's fourth studio album to chart in the top ten. [13] The album remained on the chart for 20 consecutive weeks. [14]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."All In"
  • Cole
  • Lifehouse
3:54
2."Nerve Damage"
  • Wade
  • Cole
  • Cole
  • Lifehouse
4:27
3."Had Enough" (feat. Chris Daughtry)
  • Cole
  • Lifehouse
3:45
4."Halfway Gone"
  • Cole
  • Lifehouse
3:14
5."It Is What It Is"
  • Wade
  • Cole
  • Cole
  • Lifehouse
3:20
6."From Where You Are"Wade
  • Cole
  • Lifehouse
3:01
7."Smoke & Mirrors"
  • Wade
  • Cole
  • Cole
  • Lifehouse
4:25
8."Falling In"
  • Wade
  • Cole
  • Rudolf
  • Kasher
  • Cole
  • Rudolf
3:44
9."Wrecking Ball"
  • Cole
  • Lifehouse
4:24
10."Here Tomorrow Gone Today"
  • Wade
  • Cole
  • Cole
  • Florian Ammon
3:09
11."By Your Side"
  • Wade
  • Cole
  • Cole
  • Lifehouse
4:08
12."In Your Skin"
  • Wade
  • Cole
  • Cole
  • Lifehouse
3:24
Total length:45:00
Deluxe edition [15] [16]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."All That I'm Asking For"
  • Wade
  • Cole
  • Cole
  • Patrick Leonard
3:55
14."Crash and Burn"Wade
  • Cole
  • Lifehouse
4:15
15."Everything" (live in-studio version)Wade
  • Cole
  • Lifehouse
6:26
16."Near Life Experience"Wade
  • Cole
  • Lifehouse
4:11
17."Don't Wake Me When It's Over" (iTunes exclusive)
  • Wade
  • Cole
  • Cole
  • Lifehouse
3:26
18."Best of Me (What's Left of Me)" (Amazon exclusive)
  • Wade
  • Cole
  • Marx
 3:05
19."Halfway Gone" (Demolition Crew remix)  3:35
Total length:64:09

Personnel

Adapted from the album credits.

Lifehouse

Additional musicians

Production

Charts

Chart performance for Smoke & Mirrors
Chart (2010)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [17] 75
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [18] 44
Canadian Albums (Billboard) [19] 15
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [20] 40
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [21] 38
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [22] 40
US Billboard 200 [23] 6

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lifehouse (band)</span> American rock band

Lifehouse is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California comprising Jason Wade, Rick Woolstenhulme Jr., Bryce Soderberg, and Steve Stout. The band came to mainstream prominence in 2001 with the hit single "Hanging by a Moment" from their debut studio album No Name Face. The song was number one for three weeks on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single won a Billboard Music Award for Hot 100 Single of the Year, having spent 20 weeks in the top ten and more than a year on the charts.

<i>Lifehouse</i> (album) 2005 studio album by Lifehouse

Lifehouse is the third studio album by pop rock band Lifehouse. It was released in 2005 on Geffen Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Calling (band)</span> American rock band

The Calling is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1996 by lead singer and guitarist Alex Band and guitarist Aaron Kamin. They are best known for their hit single, "Wherever You Will Go", which topped the Adult Top 40 for 23 weeks, making it the second longest running number one in the chart’s history and later named the number one song of the decade of 2000s on the Adult Pop Charts by Billboard magazine. Their debut album Camino Palmero was released in July 2001 and was a commercial success.

<i>Camino Palmero</i> 2001 studio album by the Calling

Camino Palmero is the debut studio album recorded by American alternative band the Calling. It was released by RCA Records on July 10, 2001. It contains their hit single "Wherever You Will Go". The title of the album comes from a Los Angeles street where band members Alex Band and Aaron Kamin first met. The record has many grunge influences and also has a lot of guitar solos.

Jude Anthony Cole is an American singer, songwriter, manager, and record producer. After signing to Reprise Records, Cole's solo career began with his eponymous debut studio album in 1987, which was followed up with 4 subsequent releases until 2000. From then, he outsourced his talent onto managing, producing, and co-writing for the band Lifehouse, whom Cole took under his wing. He is the co-founder of the Ironworks music label alongside actor Kiefer Sutherland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You and Me (Lifehouse song)</span> 2005 single by Lifehouse

"You and Me" is a song by American alternative rock band Lifehouse. It is the first single released from their third studio album, Lifehouse (2005). The track was written by lead singer Jason Wade and American record producer Jude Cole. It was recorded and produced by John Alagía at his home studio in Easton, Maryland. The song was first released via digital download on January 28, 2005. It was then solicited to mainstream radio on March 15, 2005. An extended wedding version of the song was then released on July 26, 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Daughtry</span> American musician and American Idol contestant

Christopher Adam Daughtry is an American singer, musician, and actor. He is the lead vocalist and a guitarist for the rock band Daughtry, which he formed after placing fourth on the fifth season of American Idol. Released by RCA Records, Daughtry's self-titled debut album became the fastest selling debut rock album in Nielsen SoundScan history, selling more than one million copies within five weeks of release. The album was recorded before the band was officially formed, making him the only official member present on the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryce Soderberg</span> Musical artist

Bryce Dane Soderberg is a Canadian-American musician and songwriter, best known as the bassist and vocalist for American rock band Lifehouse.

<i>Who We Are</i> (Lifehouse album) 2007 studio album by Lifehouse

Who We Are is the fourth studio album by American alternative rock band Lifehouse. It was first released via compact disc in the United States on June 18, 2007 by Geffen Records. It was released via digital download the next day on June 19, 2007. The band entered the studio without any demos recorded and only had lyrics from Lifehouse lead singer Jason Wade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Time (Lifehouse song)</span> 2007 single by Lifehouse

"First Time" is a song by American alternative band Lifehouse and it is the first single released from their fourth studio album, Who We Are (2007). The song was written by lead singer Jason Wade alongside Jude Cole, who produced the song. Wade felt it was urgent to write the track and said that he had to think deep to write it. Musically, "First Time" is a power pop song that contains alternative rock with a theme about the early stages of romance. The track was first released as a digital download on May 7, 2007, by Geffen Records. It was then solicited to mainstream radio on May 15, 2007.

"Whatever It Takes" is a song by the American alternative band Lifehouse. It is the second single released from their fourth studio album, Who We Are (2007). The song was written by Lifehouse lead singer Jason Wade and American record producer Jude Cole. When discussing the song, Wade felt that the message of the song dealt with how difficult it could be to be in a relationship. It was first released with the band's fourth studio album Who We Are on June 18, 2007 and was then solicited to mainstream radio on November 13, 2007. It is a moderately slow pop-rock ballad that has influences of adult alternative.

<i>Leave This Town</i> 2009 studio album by Daughtry

Leave This Town is the second album by the American rock band Daughtry, released on July 14, 2009, by RCA Records and 19 Entertainment. It is the first album that they recorded as a band, as their self-titled debut album was recorded before the band was formed and only lead singer Chris Daughtry was signed to the label. It was also their last album to feature Joey Barnes on drums. The album's style is primarily arena rock, with influences ranging from hard rock to pop rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cavo</span> American rock band

Cavo is an American hard rock band from St. Louis, Missouri. Because of their sound and musical influences, they are sometimes classified as post-grunge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halfway Gone</span> 2009 single by Lifehouse

"Halfway Gone" is a song by American band Lifehouse. It is the first single released from their fifth studio album, Smoke & Mirrors (2010). It was first released via digital download in the United States and Canada on October 26, 2009. It was then solicited to mainstream radio on January 12, 2010. Several remixes of the song were later released on iTunes on April 6, 2010 in an album called Halfway Gone Remixes. The song was a commercial success, charting in Canada, the United States, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. The accompanying music video portrays Lifehouse lead singer Jason Wade singing most of the lyrics in a park, and also features band cohorts and various people lip-syncing the lyrics as the song plays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All In (Lifehouse song)</span> 2010 single by Lifehouse

"All In" is a song by American alternative band Lifehouse. It is the second single from their fifth studio album, Smoke & Mirrors.

The Leave This Town Tour was the first headlining concert tour, as well as first international tour, by American rock band, Daughtry. The tour was in support of the band's second album, Leave This Town (2009). The first North American leg kicked off in Topeka, Kansas on October 19, 2009. The tour concluded on October 29, 2010, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The 2010 North American leg of the tour grosses $11.4M and was the 60th best selling North American tour in 2010.

<i>Almería</i> (album) 2012 studio album by Lifehouse

Almería is the sixth studio album by American alternative rock band Lifehouse, released on December 11, 2012 by Geffen Records. The title refers to the Spanish city of Almería, where many classic western films were filmed. The album was produced by Jude Cole, who has worked with Lifehouse on previous albums. The lead single off the album was released in September, and is titled "Between the Raindrops", a duet with British pop singer Natasha Bedingfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane (Lifehouse song)</span> 2015 single by Lifehouse

"Hurricane" is a 2015 song by American multi-platinum alternative rock band Lifehouse. It served as the lead radio single off the band's seventh studio album Out of the Wasteland. The song is the first radio single released by the band since "Between the Raindrops" in September 2012 and their subsequent hiatus. It is also the first radio single released by the band under the independent label Ironworks Music.

<i>Out of the Wasteland</i> 2015 studio album by Lifehouse

Out of the Wasteland is the seventh studio album by American alternative rock band Lifehouse, released May 26, 2015, through Ironworks Music. It debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's US Independent Albums chart.

<i>Its Not Over...The Hits So Far</i> 2016 greatest hits album by Daughtry

It's Not Over...The Hits So Far is the first greatest hits album by American rock band Daughtry. It features most of the mainstream singles released from the band's first four studio albums, with two new songs. "Torches" was released on January 29, 2016 as the compilation's lead single.

References

  1. "Lifehouse : Biography". Lifehousemusic.com. Geffen Records . Retrieved August 11, 2010.
  2. "Lifehouse Interview with Bryce Soderberg". About.com. The New York Times Company . Retrieved August 11, 2010.
  3. "Kevin Rudolf Mellows Out Lifehouse". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media . Retrieved August 11, 2010.
  4. "Interview with Ricky Woolstenhulme Jr. of Lifehouse". They Will Rock You. TheyWillRockYou.com. Retrieved August 11, 2010.
  5. 1 2 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Smoke & Mirrors – Lifehouse". Allmusic . Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  6. Ryan (March 8, 2010). "Review of "Smoke & Mirrors" by Lifehouse". Alternative Addiction . Archived from the original on December 4, 2010. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
  7. Schexnayder, Nathaniel (March 17, 2010). "Lifehouse, "Smoke & Mirrors: Deluxe Edition" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved August 8, 2010.
  8. Wippsson, Johan (2009). "Lifehouse – Smoke and Mirrors". Melodic.net . Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  9. Wippsson, Johan (2010). "Lifehouse – Smoke & Mirrors (Deluxe Edition)". Melodic.net. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  10. boys, you wont (February 27, 2010). "Lifehouse – Smoke and Mirrors (album review 2)". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  11. Kasko, Jordan. "Lifehouse – Smoke And Mirrors (2010)". The Tune. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
  12. "Music Albums, Top 200 Albums & Music Album Charts". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media . Retrieved August 8, 2010.
  13. "Lady Antebellum Returns to No. 1 on Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media . Retrieved August 8, 2010.
  14. "Lifehouse Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media . Retrieved August 8, 2010.
  15. Smoke & Mirrors (Deluxe Version) by Lifehouse
  16. Smoke & Mirrors (Amazon MP3 Exclusive Version)
  17. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 165.
  18. "Austriancharts.at – Lifehouse – Smoke & Mirrors" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  19. "Lifehouse Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  20. "Dutchcharts.nl – Lifehouse – Smoke & Mirrors" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  21. "Offiziellecharts.de – Lifehouse – Smoke & Mirrors" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  22. "Charts.nz – Lifehouse – Smoke & Mirrors". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  23. Caulfield, Keith. "Lady Antebellum Returns to No. 1 on Billboard 200". billboard.com. March 10, 2010.