Into the Wild Life
by Halestorm
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Apr 14, 2015
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
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  1. TheQuietGamer
    Jul 12, 2016
    7
    Is Halestorm a one-trick pony? It certainly seems that way. However there's still a certain level of entertainment to that trick, even if the band isn't trying as hard to perform it this time around. In case you somehow managed to forget that lead singer Lzzy Hale is a hard drinking, sex loving, real bad chick with 'tude, then you are sure to be reminded here yet again. The tracksIs Halestorm a one-trick pony? It certainly seems that way. However there's still a certain level of entertainment to that trick, even if the band isn't trying as hard to perform it this time around. In case you somehow managed to forget that lead singer Lzzy Hale is a hard drinking, sex loving, real bad chick with 'tude, then you are sure to be reminded here yet again. The tracks Apocalyptic and Sick Individual are perfect examples of this.

    Interestingly enough the band does seem to have caught a bit of the pop virus. The latter of the two previously mentioned tracks, as well as Dear Daughter and What Sober Couldn't Say had me wondering if I was listening to a pop-rock band for a minute or two. That's not where the influence from other genres stops either. There's a noticeable country vibe to I Like It Heavy. The rest is fairly straightforward hard rock. Although the band does get softer with a few tracks.

    Dear Daughter and Bad Girl's World are more emotional tracks. Unfortunately, this emotion does feel forced, especially in Dear Daughter. This ultimately leads to pleasant sounding songs that lack power. It doesn't stick with these diversions long though. The standout tracks on the album are Mayhem and Gonna Get Mine. They both contain the necessary energy that's somehow missing from tracks like Sick Individual, New Modern Love, and The Reckoning. Mayhem in particular is probably the band's best song in my opinion.

    All in all this a solid hard rock album, but not a terribly impressive one. Their shtick is a little overplayed at this point, and the missing sense of aggression and passion made me feel like they phoned in the majority of the album. However it's standout moments are still worth the price of admission for fans and it's overall not too lackluster an effort. If you're just looking for some straightforward hard rock then "Into the Wild Life" can satisfy. Just don't expect Halestorm to really blow you away with anything outside of Mayhem. This is fairly standard radio bait.    … Expand
  2. Jiano74
    Jan 25, 2016
    8
    A very good album personal highlights are Amen and Apocalyptic if you go out and spend your money on this album you will not be disappointed but it isn't as good as The Strange Case Of but it is still a highly respectable album a must listen.
  3. Investigator
    Sep 23, 2016
    8
    This album has it all: hard guitar riffs, raw emotion and Lzzy Hale- what else would anyone need? The satisfaction of listening to I Am The Fire and Amen is justified as she belts out song after song to near perfection, with it only losing its mojo on a couple of the centre tracks, before regaining its momentum again. That would be the only place I flaw this album: near-perfection.This album has it all: hard guitar riffs, raw emotion and Lzzy Hale- what else would anyone need? The satisfaction of listening to I Am The Fire and Amen is justified as she belts out song after song to near perfection, with it only losing its mojo on a couple of the centre tracks, before regaining its momentum again. That would be the only place I flaw this album: near-perfection. However, this is by far their best work.
    Verdict: A-    … Expand
  4. XPRO123
    Sep 26, 2016
    10
    This album is nothing short of amazing. Another album well done by Halestorm. I really appreciate the bluesy sound to this album. I only hope that Halestorm continues to evolve and get better!!! They haven't dropped a bad album yet in my opinion.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Rolling Stone
    May 20, 2015
    60
    Some of Hale and her bandmates' affectations can sound forced, but for the most part, the gambles pay off.
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  2. Boston Globe
    Apr 28, 2015
    80
    Halestorm’s third album is packed with straightforward mud-in-your-eye rockers, but also throws enough stylistic curveballs to set it apart from the crowd.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    Apr 28, 2015
    70
    The band is undeniably tight and flush with ideas, and Hale is such a force of nature that the occasional foray into AOR snooze-ville can be forgiven.
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