Review Summary: "It's better to get it right than to get it done." This album is right. It is so right.
"It's better to get it right than to get it done", these were the words of Trenton Woodley, the lead singer of Hands Like Houses when talking about the delay of 'Dissonants'. Months after the original release, the much anticipated 'Dissonants' is finally out and it's right... it is so right. After listening to 'Unimagine' (which I absolutely loved by the way) and then listening to the singles for 'Dissonants' I thought "This sounds good! But it doesn't sound better than Unimagine." Somehow it's indeed better. Hands Like Houses have found a way to progress into a newer, much heavier tone in some of their music, but that melodic music that we all loved from 'Unimagine' and 'Ground Dweller' is still present and the two different sounds never clash, instead they combine to create what is possibly their best work yet.
Right from the beginning, 'Dissonants' opens up with the loud and new sound that is 'I Am', it lets fans know that this is the new sound they're going for and it does indeed sound great! Don't like this new approach? Well you're in luck! 'Perspectives' is up next and it sounds like a track you'd here from 'Ground Dweller' but not as messy (which was my main problem with 'Ground Dweller', it kind of sounded all over the place at times. There was too much going on in its music). Trenton shows off some of his new screaming for the first time in this track and he does a pretty great job at yelling his voice box out, it sounds really good! This mix of old and new flows throughout the entire album and it just intertwines perfectly. Of course, doing this may make some tracks sound similar to older songs rather than actually sounding like something you'd hear in an older record.
The lyricism in 'Dissonants' is the best in any Hands Like Houses record I've ever heard. The lyrics are made even more impactful with Trenton Woodley's incredible voice, he has so much range, backed up by his new screams he sounds better than ever. The band delve into topics such as being realistic, being vitriolic, being insignificant, being faithful or not, being away from home and so much more. The final track 'Bloodlines' is about the current young generation left with so many expectations and yet so little potential to become an adult who can balance wisdom and risk. The lyrics here in the chorus are beautiful:
"Just by killing time, we kill ourselves
Just by giving up, we give ourselves away"
There are indeed some problems I have with 'Dissonants'. 'Grey Havens' kind of sounds like 'Shapeshifters' from 'Unimagine' (especially the beginning) and 'Degrees of Separation' kind of sounds like 'Introduced Species', also from 'Unimagine'. These are by no means "bad songs", they're great songs, especially 'Degrees of Separation' which I believe is the best track on the record. They just reminded me of older songs when I first listened to them and it kind of became a distraction. It's a nitpick, but it should be said for those who want to know if there is any familiarity in previous songs on this record. Also, the album artwork looks lame. Sure, the new ambigram logo is cool and all... but that's it. It's just the logo. 'Unimagine' and 'Ground Dweller' had wonderful artwork. 'Dissonants' just looks boring when you glance at it.
As for how how this album will appeal to fans, it's not for everyone. Some may not like this new heavier approach and it's completely understandable why they'd feel that way. Some will find that this new approach sounds too simple and that's completely understandable as well. But 'Dissonants' brings a new sound that I believe will appeal to the widespread of listeners and will reel in new fans. The tracks in this album all blend together, all mostly sounding different but never sounding inconsistent. After listening to the album the first time, I didn't really think all that highly of it. If I would've reviewed it after that first listen I would have probably scored it a 3.5, but after listening to it a few more times I started to love the album. I'd recommend giving the album another chance if you feel dissatisfied after the first listen.
'Dissonants' is a huge accomplishment for the young Aussies. They somehow managed to find a new sound, but yet still contain that melodic music that they've been known for. They have one foot in the mainstream and the other in their old selves, so basically they're doing the splits and sounding amazing while doing so. A weird analogy, I know. There's a bright, bright future for these guys.
Standout Tracks:
'I Am'
'Perspectives'
'Division Symbols'
'Stillwater'
'Degrees of Separation'
'Bloodlines'
