Almeria

:D

I will start by saying that I have been a Lifehouse fan for over 10 years, I own all their albums, and I have seen them in concert 5 times. When the song snippets for this album were released on itunes and I listened to them, I figured this album would take a few spins to grow on me. Other than Jason's voice (still phenomenal), this sounds nothing like anything Lifehouse has ever put out before. However, when I bought the album and gave it a listen, I was blown away with how great it actually is. I think what they have done here is absolutely brilliant, and I think the song snippets really don't give you a good idea of the work as a whole. I cannot really choose a favorite because a majority of the songs are outstanding for different reasons and in different ways. The standouts for me are: Nobody Listen, Slow Motion, Only You're The One, Where I Come From, Barricade, Lady Day, and Pins and Needles. These songs are all so different, but all incredible. One last thing: this album is very mellow and understated, in a way. I kept expecting them to rock out at certain points, like they have in the past, but that element just isn't present here. This is not a criticism on my part in any way, and does not detract from this collection of songs whatsoever. My advice as a major Lifehouse fan is to give this one a chance and I think you will definitely hear the magic.

I'll start by saying that I believe Lifehouse to produce some of the best songwriting out there. However, I've noticed that they have a tendency towards respecting a formula which ultimately would be their downfall if falling victim to it. With ALMERIA, I noticed very little formula-driven songwriting, if any at all. This album comes across as a breath of fresh air. They've managed to re-create themselves without turning their back on a "Lifehouse sound". I've always felt their stronger songs are the more up-tempo, "rebellious" tracks and the love-song ballads weaker (boring). There might be a couple of the ballad-type yawners on ALMERIA, but not as many as on the "No Name Face" album. The up-tempo songs are stronger than ever on ALMERIA and they've managed to go outside the box on some of their arrangements. I'm thrilled to have a new Lifehouse album that will have legs for a while. I just wish these guys would get more recognition in the pop/rock music world than they do.

this album is a nice surprise coming from the band lifehouse because it is quite an accomplishment in itself that the band not only has the abilty to evolve and change, but to pull it off quite well. not many artists can do that, this is not a failed experiment as some reviewers lead you to believe. I think it was time for lifehouse to go into a different direction and the result is quite interesting. I think its their best effort since their self titled album because "who we are" and "smoke & mirrors was becoming too formalic. With their new album Almeria, you have a variety of different sounds, 70's influenced rock, modern country and pop music. the song "only you're the one" doesn't even sound like lifehouse at all. still with all the change, lifehouse still has the same message throughout each song. I'm actually proud of the band for going in this direction because it shows how good they really are as artists, the ablity to change.

I couldn't wait until Almeria came out. I'm a long time die hard fanof Lifehouse. Let's face it. After "No Name Face" and "Stanley Climbfall", the band took a slight turn. With their Self titled CD and "Who We Are" they were a little different from the first two CD's I've grown to love "No Name Face" and "Stanley Climbfall." I have been a fan since 2000 and finally got to see them 2010- Which was the "Smoke and Mirrors" tour. I just died. I love the CD and their concerts are awesome, they go alllllllll out. So my anticipation grew for "Almeria"...When I first got it - I was "ok" with it,but the CD now, after listening to it for the past 2 1/2 months - had grown on me tenfold. This is ver much the "old" Lifeouse we know. Especially the ballads Baricade and Aftermath And a few that the old, guitaring sounding Lifehouse. They literally through a little bit of everyting into it. Right down to and 1980's sounding song. I really love it - I'm glad I bought it!!

I was excited to receive Almeria in the post, unwrapped excitedly and waited to be impressed. Was I? Not on first listen, I've spun the disc 3 or 4 times since and I'm hoping it's a slow burner, on that basis I'll give it 4 stars instead of 3. Tracks Gotta be Tonight and Between the Raindrops start of well enough, up to standard and Natasha Bedingfield adds something so all good. To be honest after that I started to wonder if this might be a miss, nothing really caught my ear until Right Back Home which certainly has some interesting cameos (Peter Frampton and Charles Jones) but other than that the songs are really just okay. I'll keep listening and have all their albums so always happy to get new music but I'm thinking this might be a Stanley Climbfall rather than Smoke and Mirrors?

I’m a huge Lifehouse fan and have all their CD's. Maybe it's just me but I like their earlier CD's best. No Name Face is my favorite of all time followed closely by Stanley Climbfall. As for their newer sound...2010’s Smoke & Mirrors was great. As far as Almeria…well it’s more of a polished pop sound and I found myself a bit disappointed after waiting for 2 years for something new. Although Lifehouse does briefly get off the pop train with a nod to country music fans with one song on this CD. If you’re not a fan of country music that’s one track you can skip and not have missed anything. Overall I like it, don’t love it and probably won’t be listening to this one as much as their others. Just hoping they can find their way back to their roots.

Being a UK Lifehouse fan it has taken over a year for me to get this, due to it not being available as an iTunes or Amazon MP3 download until recently. In the end I decided after all the waiting to plump for the physical CD copy.I have to say, I am in love with this album. Jason's voice sounds better than ever, and although the idea of Lifehouse country-ing up their sound worried me, it sounds fresh, and new, and bloody gorgeous! My personal highlights are Only You're the One, Barricade and Aftermath, although I find myself humming Pins and Needles to myself often, so that one is definitely under my skin too!Only disappointed with myself for not getting the Deluxe version really!

Only discovered this band earlier this year on a flight from Singapore to London.I played the album over and over again on the in-flight entertainment systemand by the end of the flight, decided I had to buy the album!It's a mixture of pop, rock & a little country rock, all very well doneand not a bad track on the album. My favourites are "Slow Motion""Gotta be tonight" and "Between the raindrops"It's very easy listening and I'm glad that I discovered it(thanks to the airline promoting the album!)

In this album Lifehouse have gone a bit country not their usual stuff thats for sure. I loved the album when I first bought it the songs are really good in my opinion. However, that maybe because I am a true Lifehouse fan. My boyfriend totally disagrees he thinks this album is terrible compared to some of their others. I would recommend you buy it and have a listen and decide for yourself.

Another superb Lifehouse album to add to the other 5. Like all Lifehouse albums seems to get better with each listen. I do not understand where the 'one star' review is coming from, nor do I understand why this group does not get more UK air play/acclaim. That's 81 tracks over six albums and not a bad track in sight (or sound). Saw them live in Glasgow (Smoke and Mirrors Tour)......"Pure dead brilliant. so they were"........hope they tour UK again sometime soon.

I love this album. Its different to their usual stuff but worth a listen. Was hoping Angeline would be on it...maybe on the next one?