Review Summary: A debut that by all means excels and creates a memorable, enjoyable and deep album.
Let me start by mentioning that this is a debut album. That comes as a shock. This album easily advances on the other bands in the genre of post-hardcore and I say that loosely by all means, simply because it more or less blurs the lines between genres to an extent. What Hands Like Houses provides here is a classic album. One with lasting value and ticks all the boxes.
If there are any disadvantages the criticism would lie between their older recorded songs and their newer ones. You can see the progression here, whilst this doesn't hurt the album (simply because their older songs are just as well made) but you will easily find favour in the songs that weren't intended for the EP, simply because of more inventive beats and progression on the already present lyrical genius.
The album on goes up from here on. Ground Dweller kicks off with Antarctica; a really more mainstream oriented song. You can see the catchy beats and clear theme of dreams intended for this song, but by all means it doesn't hurt it. You will fall in love right from the first word of this song, however you will move this song aside as the album progresses and you hear the better songs. Don't look now, I'm being followed improves on the previous track and better reflects the whole album. It provides some interesting lyrics and a great progression. However, this album really comes into light with This ain't no place for animals. This is one of my preferred tracks due to the lyrical genius this song is embodied with and is complimented by a very well paced, rememberable song. Spineless Crow is one of the stick out songs in the album with a tremendous acoustic oriented ending. Starving to death in the belly of a whale provides one of the greatest songs here in terms of cachiness and provides the same great musicianship you'll have noticed by now. A clown and his pipe follows this trend, but proves to be another stand out track. The definition of not leaving provides sweet and touching lyrics but at the expense of the great interesting composition comprised in earlier tracks of the album. Lion Skin has less deep lyrics to it, but still proves to be very memorable and whilst this song may not be as complex or such it is by far a song that leaves an impression and a really easier going live show joy song you'd expect to find in a good album at some point. One hundred continues the trend set by Lion Skin but not to the same effect, instead being a more cliche love song. This is by no means bad, but after Lion Skin it becomes weaker than it would have been. Watchmaker then comes on the scene and blows me away. With a very clever inclusion of front man Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire it proves to not only have some of the best lyrics but an astounding progression to Trent's strongest vocals here and they are something that leaves a very great powerful impression. On that note, The sower ends the album with a great slightly slower lyrical powerful song. It ends on such a high note I could barely believe it upon my first listen.
In summary, you'll find here one of the most interesting, fresh, creative, lyrically genius albums probably that you'll hear ever. For a debut this astounds me how good this can be. Hands Like Houses have created a masterpiece, they should be proud. In the meantime I'll continue to enjoy this album. I would utterly recommend a purchase.
