Is Broken a good place to start with Lifehouse?

Yes, Broken is recommended as a starting point for new Lifehouse listeners. Melodic alternative rock intertwines introspective lyrics with soaring choruses, capturing the essence of vulnerability and emotional resilience. Released on July 8, 2008, 'Broken' marks Lifehouse's fifth studio album, following their commercial success with 'Who We Are' in 2007. At this stage, the band was solidifying their identity within the alternative rock scene while navigating lineup changes and a shift in musical direction.

Broken works well if you're into introspective moments of vulnerability, soaring choruses for cathartic release and short bursts of emotional depth.

How many songs are on Broken?

Broken has 7 tracks, running approximately 26 minutes.

Broken

Lifehouse · 2008

26 min · 7 tracks · alternative rock

Melodic alternative rock intertwines introspective lyrics with soaring choruses, capturing the essence of vulnerability and emotional resilience.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Broken Start here — This track serves as both the album's emotional core and its most commercially successful single, encapsulating themes of heartache and longing with an anthemic chorus.
→
Goodbye — With its poignant lyrics and stripped-back instrumentation, this song highlights Lifehouse's talent for storytelling and emotional delivery, resonating deeply with listeners.
→
If This Is Goodbye — This track combines introspective lyricism with a haunting melody, showcasing Lifehouse's knack for creating evocative ballads that linger in memory long after listening.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

43 /100

Lowland

Higher than 2% of albums we've rated

The album blends emotional lyrics with radio-friendly melodies but lacks standout moments.

What we noticed

The first three tracks maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the fourth track introduces a slower ballad that shifts the emotional tone.
Each song features a prominent chorus that contrasts with more subdued verses, emphasizing the lyrical themes of vulnerability.
The final track is a cover that diverges from the original sound of the album, creating a notable shift in style and mood.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

introspective moments of vulnerability
soaring choruses for cathartic release
short bursts of emotional depth
gradual build to hopeful resolution

Maybe skip if you

seeking fast-paced instant gratification
prefer standalone tracks over cohesion

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established wider recognition with the hit title track, solidifying their identity.
Themes: heartache and longing· emotional resilience· introspective storytelling
Career context: Released on July 8, 2008, 'Broken' marks Lifehouse's fifth studio album, following their commercial success with 'Who We Are' in 2007. At this stage, the band was solidifying their identity within the alternative rock scene while navigating lineup changes and a shift in musical direction.
Stylistic neighbors: Matchbox Twenty· Goo Goo Dolls· Third Eye Blind