Customer Reviews

No Name Face

5 star:		(513)
4 star:		(59)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I first heard these guys during an episode of Roswell, during which the song 'Everything' played in the final scene. I remembered seeing the cover of the CD in a record store and went out the next day and bought it.

Unlike most of the people writing reviews here, I had never heard 'Hanging By a Moment' when I bought the album. As you can tell by the five stars, I am incredibly glad I did.

I can't imagine anyone NOT liking this album - honestly, it is a collection of 12 incredibly good songs. In trying to choose my favorites, I find it nearly impossible to mention one or two and slight the others.

Hanging is a great radio track, but, in my opinion, one of the weaker tracks on the disc. Track 2, Sick Cycle Carroussel, is really an amazing song -- the kind that will never be released but is the reason you love an album. The same can be said for The Unknown, track 3, which is wonderful (but one of my least favorites). The quality picks up as we reach track 4- Somebody Else's Song, a good pick for the second song released. It would put similar-sounding track by Creed or Bush to shame. Trying is the fifth song, the softest song on the album and just incredible if you're in the right mood for it. If you like to feel 'moved' by a song, Trying is the one to do it. Only One is the sixth song - another great rock song. Midtempo, and, like all these songs, fully fleshed out. You never feel that the potential of the song was unrealized. They wring everything possible out of each melody.

In the second half of the album, the quality continues. Simon, track 7, is in the same category as Sick Cycle - one of the album's best, but not the kind you'd hear on the radio. I absolutely love this song. Song 8 is a bit harder sounding - if you like Hanging, you should love this song. Song 9, Breathing, is probably the best single song on the album. It fits right in that category between 'great album song' and 'great radio song.' The lyrics are tremendous. Song 10, Quasimodo, has an apt title and it is another 'hard' song - like Hanging. Song 11 I usually forget, Somewhere in Between, and it's an appropriate title. It's between 2 great songs, and is easy to forget, but judged on its own, it is really great. Sadly, it has to be right before Everything, the best last song I have ever heard on an album. It is exactly the way you want to end an album, and the album would be worth the price just for that song.

Fortunately, you get all these other incredible songs at the same time. I can't say enough how great this album is. My musical tastes run the gamut, but I typically like the pop/rock Matchbox 20/Counting Crows/U2/etc. but any type of labeling would miss the point. Anyone with any serious love of music will love this album. I don't recommend it to people that will listen through an album one time and then just play their favorite tracks -- it takes a few listens to become hooked on the album. But once you love the album - it's just a great feeling. I've never written a review for amazon before, but i really felt compelled to by this album. Every person that loves music should own it.

This is only the second CD that I've purchased that gave me chills and brought tears on the first listen. These songs penetrate straight to your soul, to the questions and issues that are most pressing on your heart. Faith, love, sadness, confusion, hope...it's all here. The vocals are perfect with that new alternative sound, and the choruses have some incredibly inspiring lyrics. Here's an example:

"There goes my pain
There goes my chains
Did you see them falling?
There goes the world off of my shoulders
There goes the world off of my back
There it goes."

These songs remind me of the spiritual things that sometimes get lost in life. They are the perfect combination of catchy music and beautiful writing that will last for years in my collection. I highly recommend purchasing this album! You will find these tunes in your head all of the time, and it's hard to resist from taking the CD out to the car, then back inside just to keep listening.

I bought this CD because 'Hanging by a Moment,' reawakened in me a sense that true rock music was still alive. In an era of sickly sweet pop delivered by boy bands and teen princesses and acidic, cacauphonic noise produced by artists like Limp Bizkit and Kid Rock, it is on this music that I hang my hopes for rock. That this is Lifehouse's first major label album is simply amazing. It is a wonderful CD wtih a sound that you would expect from a seasoned band, not a newcomer.

It's an incredible CD with many absolute gems. Their first single, 'Hanging by a Moment' is no fluke. With great cuts such as 'Sick Cycle Carousel,' 'Only One,' 'Simon,' 'Breathing,' and 'Somewhere in Between,' to mention only a few, it seems as though Lifehouse is destined for greatness with their brand of poetry with a rock guitar. The lyrics are stunning. This is music with heart and soul and you can feel it when you listen to it. Jason Wade's voice has a unique quality to it, unmistakable, soothing, and rough at the same time, it creates an almost hypnotizing effect. Their sound is very different from Everclear's, but like that band, I believe that Lifehouse will come forward as purveyors of great rock music in our time.

If you liked the feel of Matchbox20's 'Yourself...' or Third Eye Blind's self titled debut, or the honest, emotional storytelling of Everclear, you can't go wrong with Lifehouse's 'No Name Face.'

Jason Wade (vox, guitar) and Ron Aniello (producer) are the incredible songwriting team that is Lifehouse. Aniello's previous credits include a partnership with Jude Cole, known in industry circles as one of the best pop music writers and major soundtrack contributor. With Cole as manager, Aniello as producer and Wade as frontman, I predict No Name Face will bring Lifehouse much recognition.

Centered mid album, Trying (track 5) might be described as the band's signature song. An acoustic intro gives rise to Wade's soft yet gravelly, restrained yet emotive vocals. Next, send in a cello, more strings, then the lovely voice of kendall payne backing the first chorus; enter drums on verse 2, more strings, louder guitar, then keyboards with a chorus of backing vocals. The bridge that follows is simply beautiful--Wades sings "Well I haven't got it all figured out just yet" with an authenticity you can feel. This song, and others on this debut cd, pay homage to the universal fear of never quite realizing one's dreams, be they people, places,or shapes of the heart.

There are no weak tracks on No Name Face. Even the heavier songs are tempered by a unique mesh of acoustic elements. The lyrics are intelligent with a central theme of "i'm not quite there yet, but I know where I'm going" Buy this cd, and go along for the ride.

This has got to be the best debut CD that I have ever heard. Jason Wade, being an MK (Missionary Kid), his songs have that flair to it - the spiritual side of matters. It's very evident in songs like Trying, Everything, Breathing, and the smash hit - Hanging by a Moment. The songs are absolutely fabulous and each one is worth a listen. Songs like 'Trying', 'Cling and Clatter' and 'Quasimodo' take some time to get used to. Here's a CD Review:::

1. Hanging by A Moment - Great song! Very very overplayed, but it's still the song that got me hooked. 4/5

2. Sick Cycle Carousel - Another terrific track! Has great background music set with wonderful lyrics! 4.5/5

3. Unknown - One of the best on here. If you like Matchbox Twenty, you will probably like this song as this song is very similar to many of their songs. 5/5

4. Somebody Else's Song - It took me a while to get used to it, but I really like it now. If you like harder music (although no Creed or Linkin Park) you will probably enjoy this one.

5. Trying - One of the songs I hated at first but is definitely growing on me. The background music pulls me in. 3.5/5

6. Only One - Wow - definitely a great song! Always reminds me of my best friend who is just the best! 4.5/5

7. Simon - Another great one. This song empathizes with people that have been abused in the past - I can relate! 5/5

8. Cling and Clatter - At first I thought this was just...well, Cling and Clatter. But it grew on me and now it's one of my favorites! 4.5/5

9. Breathing - Great! Definite hit and would make a great 3rd single (Behind 'Hanging' and 'Sick Cycle Carousel'.) 5/5

10. Quasimodo - I love this song dearly. It is the best on this record - and its' message is very similar to Simon's. 5/5

11. Somewhere In Between - This song is so great. It gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it. 5/5

12. Everything - The second best song on the album, and the longest too. Over six minutes of pure ecstasy. It is almost tied with #10 as the best song, but....:)

Hope it helped! Now go buy No Name Face, because I said so :):)

This album will be reviewed song by song like usual. 10 point scale. 10 = Absolutely amazing, 1 = Banging on a Tin Can

Hanging By A Moment, 9, Great great song that is defenetly becoming a big hit. Lyrics don't really hit home with me but it does sound great.

Sick Cycle Carousel, 9+, This is really really close to a 10 but just misses because theres a part in the song that sorta sounds bad to me, where he first sings sick cycle carousel, it just doesn't fit quite right although he does get it right the second time. Really good song though. Catchy as h*!#.

Unknown, 8, I know I've heard this song before, anywhoo it is a great song but gets a slightly lower score because it doesn't have too much originality to it. Who else sang this dang?

Somebody Elses Song, 8, Another great sounding song. "I remind myself of somebody else." OOOO what a great line. Great vocals.

Trying, 3, Eww, I don't like this song much at all. The lyrics all seem forced, the chorus is really tacky and cliched. One of the only songs I skip on the whole album.

Only One, 6, This is not a bad score at all. I do like this song it just didn't hook onto me. On most albums this could be a hit just not this one. Believe me bad songs DON'T get 6's.

Simon, 7, I absolutely love the backround to this song. It is so comforting and could put me to sleep (in a good way). The lyrics to this song reminds me a lot of Quasimodo. The musical part of this song is what gets me not the lyrics though. Good song.

Cling and Clatter, 4, Where is this song going? My teacher would say that this song has potential.

Breathing, 7, If there were two more verses in this song it would be absolutely great. But, even though the chorus is great and catchy, it is repeated too many times and I feel like there is something missing. Good song anyways though.

Quasimodo, 10, Best song on the cd. Extremely catchy and I love how it builds and builds as the song goes on and I seriously get goosebumps at the end. This is a perfect song.

Somewhere In Between, 8, Oh boy. My friend got a hold of this song and he can't stop listening to it. If I hear this song one more time I'm going to the funny farm. Anyways even though I can't listen to it anymore I can't deny that it's really good. Again another really catchy song and nice and relaxing. Na na na na naaa na na.

Everything, 9, Another great song that builds on itself as it goes. When Jason starts singing, you're all I want, you're all i need, you're everyting, it gives me goosebumps. Great closer.

Any song that is scored 8 or above is absolutely great. This album has 7 songs that fit in this category. This is probably one of the Top 5 albums of the year and I'm predicting it to become absolutely huge. Please check it out you'll like it.

hey, i reviewed the normal US version of this album and gave it 5 stars also. the album and the band are great - if you're here, i imagine you're wanting to know about the 2 rare tracks added at the end of this cd (that make the price DOUBLE).

What's Wrong With That is lifehouse's weakest rare track, and the only song of theirs that i would say i'm not a fan of.

Fool, however, is an amazing song, as good as some of the songs on the actual album.

Personally I can't recommend this import - if you like Lifehouse and want to hear some rare tracks, look around the internet and download them. Some of the others are Revolution Cry, The Edge, You Belong to Me (from the Shrek ST), Crown of Scars, Fairytales and Castles, Mudpie, and the amazing Storm. These songs were, like many of the NNF songs, written during their former incarnation as Blyss. They are worth seeking out, but it's not worth the extra money for this import.

I bought No Name Face in June 2001.
I haven't stopped listening to it.
I bought it having heard only "Hanging By A Moment" on the radio. I expected to like about five songs off of it - I certainly didn't expect to become a crazy Lifehouse fan like I am today.
All the songs are gorgeous, but by far the one that stands out the most would definitely be "Everything." It's the most beautiful song I've ever heard. It absolutely moves me. Close behind it are "Breathing", "Somewhere In Between" and "Only One." I'd have to say my favorite is "Everything", because it's just so beautiful.
I've noticed people compare Lifehouse to Creed, and I think it's pretty close. (Only thing is, Lifehouse is way better in my eyes.) Lifehouse's songs have spiritual meaning in them, which I think is great - whether you're Christian or not you can enjoy their beautiful lyrics.
It's certainly not a waste of your time and money. If you've been questioning buying NNF, DON'T QUESTION ANYMORE! GO BUY IT!

Every day, I fall even more in love with this CD. It may sound like a lie, but it's true. I've been listening to the phenomenal hit "Hanging by a Moment" for 10 months now, and I'm STILL not tired of it. (Tell me, how is that possible?!) Lifehouse's debut CD is full of raw, emotional music that will either make you want to cry, or make you smile.

1. Hanging by a Moment - overplayed, but still not quite ruined by radio airplay. Not one of the best tracks on the album, but beautiful nonetheless.

2. Sick Cycle Carousel - supposedly their 2nd single, but it didn't receive the same attention HBAM did, so it was scrapped. It's still one of my favorites.. I love how it starts out mellow and then *BAM* starts to get edgier.

3. Unknown - not one of my favorites. average.

4. Somebody Else's Song - something's wrong with this track, I can't pinpoint what it is. Good lyrics though.

5. Trying - Jason Wade wrote this when he was 15. I don't like it much, the lyrics seem a little forced and cliched.

6. Only One - love this one. The lyrics mean a lot to me, and the melody is infectious.

7. Simon - one of the BEST tracks about the album. It's all about feeling left out and being an "outcast"... Comforting to hear when you feel all alone.

8. Cling and Clatter - definitely likeable. It's all about the "external and internal noise" in your life which makes it hard to make decisions. Unique sound.

9. Breathing - their follow-up to HBAM. When Jason sings the first line, you immediately know that it's one of the best songs on the cd.

10. Quasimodo - the angriest song on No Name Face. Good to listen to when you're mad at everything.

11. Somewhere in Between - the song makes me cry. It's just so emotional.

12. Everything - ditto. This is the BEST song on the album. I wish they'd release it, but it's too long, and I don't want FM radio to ruin it. It's so beautiful, so full of emotion that you'll get choked up. A perfect ending to a perfect CD.

Lifehouse will forever be remembered for their hit Hanging by a Moment, the first single off this CD. That is also why I got this CD in the first place. I can now officially say that I love Lifehouse! Their vocals are great, the guitars are nothing but superb and well, they're just plain close to perfect. If you like this CD, check out their new CD Lifehouse (which features another kickass song from them, You and Me) and their earlier CD, Stanley Climbfall. And just for fun, click the "yes" button to the proceeding question.