By Sheila McClear

Daily Arts Writer

Perfectly marketable, perfectly packaged - perfectly boring! Lifehouse's debut album actually does the writer the service of reviewing itself. "Somebody Else's Song" pretty much sums it all up: "I've got somebody else's thoughts in my head, I want some my own," sings singer/songwriter Jason Wade. That's right, it's obvious that these boys were reared by - nope, not grunge, it's even worse - post grunge! They truly are singing somebody else's song, with lyrics both hopelessly pale and generic. "I remind myself of somebody else," he continues. Let me give you a clue: It's Eddie Vedder mixed with a little Scott Stapp, watered down and ready for mass consumption.

No Name Face boasts an original variety of influences: Pearl Jam, Creed and the Verve Pipe. However, it is melodically impotent. The glaring lack of hooks - any hooks, good or bad - turns it into a lumbering snore. Any quirks the songs may have had were lost in the recording process, as the songs are overpolished and radio-ready to a fault.

Lifehouse pulled out all the stops in their dedication to Pearl Jam - as the back cover shows (in larger-than-usual print), No Name Face was mixed by longtime Pearl Jam producer Brendan O'Brien. This may be seen by cynics as a clever but fruitless attempt to either "play the grunge card," or gain some rock-titan credibility.

The album is full of instrumental flourishes that seem to be added by producer Ron Aniello in a frenzied attempt to make the music seem more interesting. "Less distortion! More harmonies! Geez, I gotta spice this thing up!" You can practically hear him shouting. Moments of sincerity are few and far between, but it should be noted that "Hanging by a Moment" does possess honesty in its kick-drum powered chorus, and "Trying" contains unusual, pretty piano accompaniment. "Somebody Else's Song" has a sneaky bassline that almost makes up for the unintentionally ironic lyrics.

Lifehouse has "dropped by major label after their second album" written all over them. That's okay: There's genuine songwriting ability lurking beneath their influence-heavy veneer.

Singer/songwriter Wade is only twenty, and while he may not ever have another opportunity like this, he certainly has time to blossom and find his real voice.

Grade: D+