Who We Are (Lifehouse album)

Who We Are
Studio album by Lifehouse
Released June 18, 2007
Recorded 2006—2007
Genre Alternative rock, pop rock, post-grunge
Length 46:20
Label Geffen
Producer Jude Cole, Lifehouse, John Fields
Lifehouse chronology
Lifehouse
(2005)		 Who We Are
(2007)		 Smoke & Mirrors
(2010)
Singles from Who We Are
  1. "First Time"
    Released: May 7, 2007
  2. "Whatever It Takes"
    Released: November 13, 2007
  3. "Broken"
    Released: July 8, 2008

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. The songs on the album were mostly inspired by different emotions of love, bliss, struggles, and pain. Musically, the album is a combination of rock, alternative, and adult alternative.

The album received positive reviews from critics, and peaked at number fourteen on the Billboard 200, selling 49,000 copies in its first week. It also managed to chart in the top twenty of Billboard's Alternative Albums, Digital Albums, and Rock Albums charts the first week it was released. It was certified Gold in the United States by the RIAA on October 22, 2008.

The album's lead single, "First Time", was released May 7, 2007, and charted in several countries. The second single, "Whatever It Takes", was released on November 13, 2007, and charted on several Billboard charts. The third single, "Broken" was released July 8, 2008, and had commercial success in the United States and Canada, and eventually other countries.

Background

The album was produced by American record producer Jude Cole, Lifehouse, and John Fields.[1] Lifehouse started recording Who We Are without any demos, and only had lyrics from Jason Wade when they entered the studio.[2] When asked about creating a song for the album, Lifehouse lead percussionist Rick Woolstenhulme, Jr. said, "Nobody really knew what they would be playing. We just cut it, listened to it and realized it was pretty electric… the kind of song where you just turn up the radio."[3] The album focused on the different emotions of love, bliss, struggles, and pain.[4] Musically, the album was a combination of rock, alternative, and adult alternative.[5] After being asked about the title of the album, Wade stated, "We established camaraderie on the road and gelled as a unit. This record defines 'Who We Are,' which is why that’s the title. The sound fits where we’re at right now."[6]

Lifehouse lead singer Jason Wade had many inspirations when writing songs for Who We Are. When asked about the background of lead single "First Time", Wade said, "It just felt urgent, like a first kiss, a first love. Like the first time you realize there's more to that relationship than you thought. I had to dig a little for that one, but I find myself at a place where I can write stuff that's a little deeper than your average love song in terms of emotion."[7] Wade was inspired to write "The Joke" after he read a newspaper article that detailed the story of a British boy who hung himself as a result of being bullied by his fellow schoolmates.[8] The song "Broken" was written by Wade after he visited a friend in Nashville that needed a kidney transplant.[6]

"Make Me Over" was inspired by the band's love of British rock, while strains of "Learn You Inside Out" were inspired by the Plastic Ono Band.[6] When asked about the song "Learn You Inside Out", Wade said, "I wrote it really quick. We decided just to freestyle. It was one of those moments when we really grew as a band, being able to reach each other and know where we're going."[6] The song "Disarray" was inspired by Wade's strict and religious family. When asked about the song, he said, "Angels, demons. We all fight them both, and anyone who pretends they don’t is not someone I want to hang out with."[6] "Storm" was originally written by Wade at the age of sixteen, when he was going through difficult times.[6] When asked about the song in an interview, Wade said, "That was fun to record because of its starkness. We love the idea of the title, surrounded by negative space, like the a cappella beginning. Because when you’re lost in confusion, no matter how much is going on around you, you’re still alone."[6]

Singles

"First Time" was released as the album's lead single on May 7, 2007 and was solicited to mainstream radio on May 15, 2007.[9] The song peaked at number twenty-six on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number forty-seven on the Canadian Hot 100.[10] It also appeared on the Billboard Pop Songs, Radio Songs, Digital Songs, and Adult Contemporary charts.[10] In 2007, the song was nominated for the "Choice Music: Love Song" award at the Teen Choice Awards.[11] "Whatever It Takes" was released as the album's second single on November 13, 2007.[9] The song peaked at number thirty-three on the Billboard Hot 100 during its twenty weeks on the chart.[12] It also placed on the Billboard Pop Songs, Radio Songs, Digital Songs, Adult Contemporary, and Christian Songs charts.[12] "Broken" was released as the album's third and final single on July 8, 2008. It appeared on the Billboard Hot 100, Canadian Hot 100, and Digital Songs charts.[13] On October 10, 2007, "Broken" was played in the Criminal Minds episode "Scared to Death".[14] Several months later, the song appeared in the Grey's Anatomy episode "Lay Your Hands On Me" on January 10, 2008.[15] It featured in the One Tree Hill episode "For Tonight You're Only Here to Know" on February 26, 2008.[16]

Reception

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[17]
Contact Music(positive)[18]
Jesus Freak Hideout[19]
Melodic.net[20]
Slant Magazine[21]

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic described the album as "post-alternative guitar rock preserved in amber, all shallow angst and earnestness, communicated through music that surges without hooks."[17] However, he further commented that "Lifehouse [is] pleasant enough, but hardly memorable, and hardly [answers] the question of who they are no matter how they try."[17] Alex Lai of Contact Music called "the ballads on this record amongst the best the band has produced" and further commented that "[the album] is very well balanced and though far from groundbreaking, show that Lifehouse have returned to their consistent best."[18] John DiBiase of Jesus Freak Hideout said that the album "isn't much different from their previous chapters."[19] However, DiBiase said that "there [are] plenty of accented new flavors among the tracks to keep things fresh and interesting."[19]

Chart performance

In the United States, Who We Are debuted and peaked at number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 200, selling 49,000 copies in its first week.[22][23] It stayed on the chart for seventy-six non-consecutive weeks.[22] The album debuted and peaked on the Billboard Rock Albums chart at number five.[22] On the Billboard Digital Albums chart, the album debuted and peaked at number four and stayed on the chart for five consecutive weeks.[22] It debuted and peaked at number eighteen on the Billboard Alternative Albums chart and stayed there for ten non-consecutive weeks.[22] It was certified Gold in the United States by the RIAA on October 22, 2008.[24] As of June 28, 2010, the album's singles have garnered over three million digital downloads.[25]

Promotion

In support of Who We Are, Lifehouse went on the "Disarray Tour", which was highlighted by dates in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, and Atlanta.[26] American singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson and HoneyHoney joined Lifehouse on select dates throughout the tour.[27] Lifehouse continued to promote the album on Last Call with Carson Daly on July 9, 2007 where they played "First Time".[28] They also performed the song on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on August 15, 2007.[29] The band made an appearance at the 2008 NFL Pro Bowl on February 10, 2008.[30] On February 15, 2008, the band performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.[31] They performed on Live with Regis and Kelly playing "First Time" and "Whatever It Takes" on April 1, 2008.[32]

Track listing

All songs produced by Jude Cole and Lifehouse, except "Broken" produced by John Fields.

Standard edition[33]
No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Disarray"  Jason Wade 3:45
2. "First Time"  Jude Cole, Wade 3:23
3. "Whatever It Takes"  Cole, Wade 3:27
4. "Who We Are"  Cole, Wade 3:27
5. "Broken"  Wade 4:46
6. "The Joke"  Cole, Wade, Rick Woolstenhulme, Jr. 3:56
7. "Easier to Be"  Cole, Wade 3:31
8. "Make Me Over"  Cole, Wade 3:57
9. "Mesmerized"  Cole, Wade 3:13
10. "Bridges"  Wade 4:02
11. "Learn You Inside-Out"  Wade 4:26
12. "Storm"  Wade 4:25

Credits and personnel

Adapted from Allmusic.[34]
  • Erik Johnson – design
  • Ted Jensen – mastering
  • Ross Hogarth – engineering
  • Tina Hagio – design
  • Kunio Hagio – paintings
  • Eric Gorfain – violin
  • Mark Goldenberg – guitar
  • John Fields – producer
  • Scott Faircloff – engineering, vocal producer
  • Richard Dodd – cello
  • Rocco Deluca – organ
  • Jude Cole – composer, guitar, keyboards, piano, producer, background vocals
  • Daphne Chen – violin
  • Leah Katz – viola
  • Keith Armstrong – mixing assistant
  • Florian Ammon – engineering, mixing
  • Thom Panunzio – mixing, A&R
  • Jeff Rothschild – mixing

Charts

Chart (2007) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[35] 14
US Alternative Albums (Billboard)[22] 18
US Digital Albums (Billboard)[22] 4
US Rock Albums (Billboard)[22] 5
Japanese Albums Chart[36] 185

Release history

Region Date Format Label Edition(s)
United States June 18, 2007[3] CD Geffen Standard
June 19, 2007[5] Digital download
United Kingdom June 24, 2007[37] CD Import Music Services
Germany July 3, 2007[38] Geffen
Worldwide August 25, 2007[39] Digital download Bonus tracks version
France September 4, 2007[40] CD Pid Standard
Worldwide July 22, 2008[41] Geffen Bonus CD version, Bonus tracks version

References

  1. ↑ "Who We Are – Lifehouse". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
  2. ↑ "Mainstream Pop-Rock Success". About.com. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
  3. 1 2 "Lifehouse Releases "Who We Are"". Geffen Records. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
  4. ↑ "Lifehouse Stripped". Geffen Records. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
  5. 1 2 "Who We Are by Lifehouse – iTunes". Apple Inc. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Lifehouse – Biography, Photos, News, Videos, Reviews and Tour Dates and Tickets". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
  7. ↑ "Lifehouse's 1st Single – "First Time" on iTunes". Geffen Records. Retrieved 2011-06-26.
  8. ↑ "Lifehouse biography". NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
  9. 1 2 "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News, and More!". Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Inc. and Mediaspan Online Services. Retrieved 2011-06-22.
  10. 1 2 "First Time – Lifehouse (Chart History)". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2011-06-22.
  11. ↑ "LIFEHOUSE AWARDS & FEATURES". MetroLyrics.com. Retrieved 2011-06-22.
  12. 1 2 "Whatever It Takes – Lifehouse (Chart History)". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2011-06-22.
  13. ↑ "Broken – Lifehouse (Chart History)". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2011-06-22.
  14. ↑ "Criminal Minds: Scared to Death Trivia & Quotes – TV.com". TV.com. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
  15. ↑ "TV Recap: Grey's Anatomy – Lay Your Hands On Me". Cinema Blend LLC. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
  16. ↑ "One Tree Hill: For Tonight You're Only Here To Know". TV.com. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
  17. 1 2 3 Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Who We Are – Lifehouse (Allmusic)". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
  18. 1 2 Lai, Alex. "Lifehouse, "Who We Are" Review". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
  19. 1 2 3 DiBiase, John (2007-06-18). "Lifehouse, "Who We Are" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
  20. ↑ Wippsson, Johan (2007). "Lifehouse - Who We Are". Melodic.net. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  21. ↑ Shetler, Scott (2007-06-29). "Lifehouse: Who We Are". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Who We Are – Lifehouse (Chart History)". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
  23. ↑ "Bon Jovi Scores First No. 1 Album Since 1988". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2011-06-22.
  24. ↑ "RIAA – Recording Industry Association of America". RIAA. Retrieved 2011-06-22.
  25. ↑ "Natasha Bedingfield, Lifehouse and Travie McCoy Featuring Bruno Mars to Rock the Stage at the 2010 VH1 Do Something Awards". SYS-CON Publications, Inc. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
  26. ↑ "Lifehouse Announces Tour Dates". Universal Music. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
  27. ↑ "PBS Soundstage Today". Geffen Records. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
  28. ↑ "Lifehouse : News: Watch Lifehouse LIVE at Last Call with Carson Daly in Burbank". Geffen Records. Retrieved 2011-06-26.
  29. ↑ "Lifehouse : News: Lifehouse Performing on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson". Geffen Records. Retrieved 2011-06-26.
  30. ↑ "Pro Bowl Performance This Sunday 2/10!". Geffen Records. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
  31. ↑ "Lifehouse On Jay Leno 2/15!". Geffen Records. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
  32. ↑ "Lifehouse On Live With Regis & Kelly April 1st!". Geffen Records. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
  33. ↑ "Who We Are – Lifehouse (Allmusic)". Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
  34. ↑ "Who We Are – Lifehouse". Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
  35. ↑ "Who We Are – Lifehouse". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2011-06-22.
  36. ↑ "ライフハウスのCDアルバムランキング、ライフハウスのプロフィールならオリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE". Oricon.co.jp. Retrieved 2013-04-23.
  37. ↑ "Who We Are: Lifehouse: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.com, Inc. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
  38. ↑ "Who We Are: Lifehouse: Amazon.de: Musik". Amazon.com, Inc. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
  39. ↑ "Who We Are (Bonus Track Version) by Lifehouse – Download Who We Are (Bonus Track Version)". Apple Inc. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
  40. ↑ "Who We Are: Lifehouse: Amazon.fr: Musique". Amazon.com, Inc. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
  41. ↑ "Who We Are (Bonus CD) (Bonus Tracks) – Lifehouse – Compact Disc (UPC 0602517785809)". All Media Guide. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
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