Hands Like Houses
Unimagine


4.0
excellent

Review

by Italianjesusfootball USER (7 Reviews)
July 18th, 2013 | 190 replies


Release Date: 2013 | Tracklist

Review Summary: This is happiness.

Ahhhhh, Rise Records. The infamous label known for releasing the same, pre-packaged music over and over. Kicking out disappointing releases year after year. Every newly signed band to this label sounds almost the same, with very few exceptions. Hands Like Houses is one of the exceptions.

The hype seems to be overwhelming for this album and rightfully so. Their debut record “Ground Dweller” generally was met with great praise. Featuring soaring clean vocals and beautiful, yet technical instrumentation to back it up, “Ground Dweller” was a breath of fresh air in this dying “-core” scene. So one question remains, should you believe the hype?

Yes, you should believe, most of it, anyway. Hands Like Houses change their sound slightly in “Unimagine.” It seems as though they have taken the edge off of their music. Leaving behind the heavier parts in their last album and trading them for softer and catchier sections. Also trading the interesting song structures they had for more generic “Intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus etc.” type structures. Which could be a positive thing for many listeners, but for many more it's disappointing.

This album, however, doesn't disappoint. You can't help but smile as vocalist Trenton Woodley sings “This is happiness.” That is the emotion that you will feel when listening to this album. Happiness. And according to the teaser released for this album, that is what they were going for. The standout thing about this album? The vocals. Trenton Woodley has an astounding range and uses his soulful type vocals quite tastefully throughout the album.The breathtaking guitar leads are quite audible throughout the record. Although they seem more simple than before, they're more memorable. The electronics/keyboards are less prominent. Blending into the mixes quite well, standing out when needed. The drums also seem to have mellowed out, very rarely grabbing your attention, the drummer Matt Parkitney and bassist Joel Tyrrell just lay down a canvas for guitarists Alexander Pearson and Matt Cooper to paint on. They, in turn, allow Trenton to put the finishing touches on the beautiful images that they create.

The songs themselves also seem to be more mellow. Songs such as “A Tale of Outer Suburbia” and “Oceandust” present a slow tempo, ballad type song that we haven't heard from this band before. But don't worry, songs such as “No Parallels” and “Wisteria” bring back the more familiar, up tempo songs that we're used to hearing from this band. And the best part? I can't recall hearing a single breakdown on this album.

Overall, this record is a departure from “Ground Dweller.” That is not a good thing, nor a bad thing. It just adds a new side to the band that we haven't heard much in the past. Some will like it, some won't. This album will appeal to a larger audience and keep fans of past works. “Hands Like Houses” has succeeded in making a solid follow up to their debut record.



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Comments:Add a Comment 
Italianjesusfootball
July 18th 2013


288 Comments


Streaming here:
https://www.facebook.com/RiseRecords?directed_target_id=0
This is my second review ever, so constructive criticism is appreciated. I tried not to fanboy too much.

pepster50
July 18th 2013


436 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I actually liked some of the breakdowns from ground dweller... kinda just skipped through the album it seems pretty good.

Calc
July 18th 2013


17481 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

you brought up a lot of negatives for a 4 review but w/e



I still say this band is an emarosa clone as sad as that sounds.

Cygnatti
July 18th 2013


36155 Comments


Ew emarosa.

YakNips
July 18th 2013


20105 Comments


Emarosa has a few good songs. Just like this band.

titlefightmeirl
July 18th 2013


659 Comments


A review already? anyways, I think we can all agree that even though this band is and probably will
never be fantastic, they ARE one of the better bands on Rise.

Calc
July 18th 2013


17481 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

its the same formula, soulful singer with mostly upbeat, straightforward post-post-hardcore centered around vocal hooks.

Skoop
July 18th 2013


2202 Comments


That second emarosa album was sweet

joshieboy
July 18th 2013


8339 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Spinning this now, vocals are the obvious highlight.

lucasjcockcroft
July 18th 2013


3721 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

so much like Emarosa



this is okay



just like Emarosa

Sauce
July 18th 2013


930 Comments


actually not digging these vocals as much as in ground dweller.

Scoot
July 18th 2013


22883 Comments


just listen to i the mighty instead

wacknizzle
July 18th 2013


14555 Comments


unimaginative agreed

Krossceeper
July 18th 2013


83 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Good review, and a really good album. I'm currently preferring it to GD, that's probably mainly due to the production, but yeah.



Have a pos!

joshieboy
July 18th 2013


8339 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Yeah good review man.

LG
July 18th 2013


3050 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

the house you built sounds like a panic at the disco! song

merpmerp
July 18th 2013


804 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

album's really fucking good.

ILJ
July 18th 2013


6942 Comments


it's probably average like their last one

YakNips
July 18th 2013


20105 Comments


It is

TooLateToGoBack
July 18th 2013


2109 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Enjoying this a lot so far.



Glad the production is good, too.



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