For the duration of Los Angeles-based Lifehouse's ten-year career they've been delicately balancing two identities: radio-ready song craftsmen and raucous live rock and roll band.

Still in their twenties, the guys in Lifehouse have an impressive resume. Founding members Jason Wade and drummer Ricky Woolstenhulme Jr. met in Los Angeles and formed the band in the late 90s. Lifehouse released its smash debut No Name Face in 2000, which launched them to global stardom. Over the next few years - joined first by a replacement, bassist Bryce Soderberg and more recently by new member, guitarist Ben Carey - Lifehouse built upon that initial success.   From very early on, Lifehouse fans demonstrated a resilient loyalty to the band, so much so that several of the band's hits still maintain chart positions on iTunes, years after their initial release. The band also has a formidable online presence - their video streams are at 70 million and counting.

Lifehouse ended up spending a year recording upwards of thirty-five tracks before settling on the twelve songs that make up  Smoke & Mirrors (many of the rest will be included on a deluxe edition). The record is loosely split between rock tracks meant to capture the feel of seeing Lifehouse live, and extremely catchy, sing-along pop songs.