Hands Like Houses To Release “Dissonants” February 26th

Last updated on February 29th, 2016 at 04:06 am

Review by Nick Zimmerman & Jared Wacholz

Nick’s Take:

The past few years have been busy for Australian-rockers Hands Like Houses. From signing with Rise Records – a post-hardcore label known for acts such as Memphis May Fire and Sleeping With Sirens – and charting second on Billboard’s US Heatseekers chart with their debut album Ground Dweller in 2012, to touring exhaustively across the globe as well as releasing a follow-up album in 2013; Hands Like Houses are making a name for themselves in the rock scene and a well-deserved name at that.

In a genre cluttered with ambiguous definitions and an abundance of generic acts, it can be hard for artists to stand out amongst the crowd; luckily, with Dissonants, Hands Like Houses has done just that.

From the first track “I Am” on the twelve-song sophomore release, Dissonants sets the overall tone for the album with heavy guitars and ethereal electronic instrumentation, followed by Trenton Woodley’s impressive vocals, which are a monster of their own. Let’s be clear on something, Trenton Woodley has a gorgeous voice that stands out against a sonic background that typically ensnares other vocalists of the same genre. Oddly reminiscent of Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy, Woodley’s vocal performance draws the listener in at each level of volume and carries the flow of the album perfectly.

Not to say that Woodley is the only member whose performance is outstanding. Matt Parkitny’s clean yet punchy drums; Cooper and Pearson’s grungy, intense guitars; and Joel Tyrrell’s driving bass riffs all stand out in different aspects throughout the album’s array of tracks.

Overall, Dissonants is an album with strong musical landscapes with lyrical content that strives to be profound with each track. With songs like “Grey Haven” dealing with the mystery of death, and others such as “New Romantics” where we find the singer searching for his true self.

Album highlights include the unifying anthem “Colourblind”, the catchy and appealing melodies of “Momentary”, “Motion Sickness” and a personal favorite – the grungy, gang-vocal driven “Degrees of Separation”.

Hands Like Houses have outdone themselves on their latest release, and have created an album that appeals to listeners of countless different genres while displaying a new level of maturity for the Australian act. Be sure to check out the music video for Hands Like Houses single “Colourblind” below. Dissonants releases February 26th, 2015 on Rise Records.

Jared’s Take:

The record opens with the single “I Am” and leads into “Perspectives.” “Perspectives” was the first song that really drew me in. This song moves along with an arena ready chorus, smooth bass lines and melodic guitar riffs. One of my favorite qualities Hands Like Houses captured on this record is the smooth and grinding bass lines paired with energetic and in your face guitar riffs. “New Romantics” and “Glasshouse” are two of the grooviest songs on the record, both have rich bass parts almost like that of Bring Me The Horizon’s “What You Need.” “Division Symbols” is a lyrically powerful song that ends with the lyrics “Let me count the ways you kill me, You kill me.” This song feels like it could live on either Unimagine or Dissonants as it doesn’t quite feel like it has progressed as far as the other songs on the record. “Stillwater” starts off at a slower tempo than the rest of the record and acts a bridge into the slower second half of Dissonants. The second half of Dissonants has a different yet familiar feel to Unimagine. “Momentary” is the ballad of Hands Like Houses newest effort. It begins with a textured delayed guitar and builds up to a chorus that was made for a modern rock arena. “Motion Sickness” is another slower tempo track that features more subtle guitar riffs and bass lines that allow ample space for Trenton’s vocals to shine. “Degrees of Separation” may be my favorite song on the whole record. It opens with gang vocals and jams all the way through. From driving bass and drum beats to a chorus that soars and grooves this song has a little bit of everything for new and old Hands Like Houses fans alike. The last two tracks of Dissonants “Grey Havens” and “Bloodlines” are upbeat and in your face rock songs like the first half of the record. “Grey Havens” is another driving rock song that pushes the record toward its close. “Bloodlines” closes out the record perfectly by combining both the driving rock feel from their heavier songs with a mix of their other ballad like qualities. Dissonants is an improvement over Hands Like Houses previous album, Unimagine. Dissonants is solid all the way through and is worth a listen to any Hands Like Houses fans old or new. Dissonants has something to offer to everyone looking to enjoy an alternative rock album. I give Dissonants a 4/5.

Amanda Boyd, Ohio:
“This album is by far one of their best albums to date. I like where they went with their sound, yet still staying true to themselves. I think music lovers who weren’t particularly a fan of their past work are going to enjoy this new record. My favorite songs are “Motion Sickness”, “Colourblind”, “Division Symbols” and “Bloodlines.”

Alexandra, California:
“Dissonants made me remember why I started listening to Hands Like Houses in the first place. The album makes you feel things; Emotions that you wouldn’t be able to describe without the help of their words. I can’t wait to buy this album and see what they come up with next.”

Track List:

1. I Am
2. Perspectives
3. Colourblind
4. New Romantics
5. Glasshouse
6. Division Symbols
7. Stillwater
8. Momentary
9. Motion Sickness
10. Degrees of Separation
11. Grey Havens
12. Bloodlines

Hands Like Houses is:

Trenton Woodley – lead vocals, piano, programming, keyboard
Matt “Coops” Cooper – lead guitar
Alexander Pearson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Joel Tyrrell – bass guitar, backing vocals
Matt Parkitny – drums