Reviewed by Philip Laing

It's been a long and sometimes bumpy road since the Californian-based pop rockers struck gold with their 2000 hit "Hanging By A Moment". Now, after a year and more off from touring and the lukewarm public reception to their 'Almeria' album, Jason Wade and his bandmates have returned with this intriguing set and despite losing their lead guitarist, Lifehouse have still managed to create a solid rock album. "Hurricane", which is the first radio single, begins the album with light verses and heavy choruses. The guitar is later reduced by the emotive piano in "Flight", a melodic song which slowly builds towards the fantastic bridge, Wade's voice growing with confidence as he proclaims "No more running, no more hiding/.no more fear, only flying." The rock is then resumed for "Runaways" and "Firing Squad" with the guitar driving the songs' arrangements. We then have an acoustic "Wish" which then leads into "Stardust" (no, not THAT one) which is sung and written by the band's bassist Bryce Soderburg. This is overall an impressive return to form by the mainstream stalwarts.

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