No Name Face

What’s this? A Christian album from the chunk of the world ruled by Spielberg, Katzenberg and Geffen? Well, borrowing from an almost-famous response, it depends on what your definition of "Christian music" is.

To DreamWorks’ credit, youthful debut quartet Lifehouse (leader Jason Wade is only 20) sports more poetic sense and spiritual insight than most rock bands currently on the traditional Christian music circuit. On the other hand, despite the fellas’ Vineyard roots and rife-with-spirit-stirring lyrics, Wade—according to the band’s bio—has embraced "a particularly humanist faith" after a lengthy time of soul searching following his missionary parents’ divorce. (Ah, the plot thickens….)

Opener "Hanging by a Moment"—dominated by a string bass, of all things, in the first few bars before getting drowned in modern rock guitar—is an apropos touchstone for the superior lyrics Wade consistently delivers: "I’m falling even more in love with you/Letting go of all I’ve held onto/I’m standing here until you make me move/I’m hanging by a moment here with you/Forgetting all I’m lacking, completely incomplete/I’ll take your invitation, you take all of me." But is this tune about God or a girl?

How about "Faith makes everybody scared/It’s the unknown, the don’t-know/That keeps me hanging on to you…" ("Unknown")? Or "I’m trying to identify the voices in my head/God, which one’s you…" ("Breathing")? Then there’s "You are the light that is leading me/To the place where I find peace again… you are life to my soul/You are everything…" ("Everything").

Delicate instrumental touches—strings, mandolin and accordion lines, and multi-toned guitars buried deep below Wade’s dominant baritone—make for more interesting listens with each spin. But the production downside is that there’s too much shimmer, gloss and ready-for-radio attitude here. Less of Jars of Clay/Creed influences next time out would help, too.

All that to say, Lifehouse is a bright, hopeful light on the rock scene. Skillful musicianship, poetic insight, unflinching takes on faith—the band members are way ahead of the game already, and they’re still babies. Is it Christian music? Read this month’s Consider This column from John Fischer, check out the record, then decide for yourself.