Album Review: Hands Like Houses – Dissonants

Article by: Matt Guevara

Photo: Secret Service PR

     Two years after the release of their last EP, Reimagine, aussie post-hardcore band Hands Like Houses is preparing for the release of their third full-length album, Dissonants. Since the band’s formation back in 2008, Hands Like Houses has made a big impact on the rock scene, and is known best for their lack of genre boundaries, incorporating elements of synth, nu-metal, and many other genres into their sound. The last several years have been busy ones for them to say the least, with two full-length albums, and one EP released since 2012, and receiving heavy international attention, especially in the US. The band returned to the studio in 2015 and quickly released the first track from Dissonants, “I Am”, in March, followed by “New Romantics” in October, and “Colourblind” in late January this year. Although they have focused on heavier, more technical music in their previous work, Hands Like Houses has made a shift into a more progressive and urgent sound, while still holding onto the post-punk style that many of their die-hard fans have grown to love.

The album kicks off with “I Am”, starting with a subtle riff and distant drums, and quickly transitioning into heavy, hard rock. “I Am” eases listeners into Dissonants well, and sets a great tone for the album, with emphasis on frontman Trenton Woodley’s yearning, and at times soft, vocals. Up next – “Perspectives”. While not as heavy as the opening track, “Perspectives” is a hard rock song at its core, and another great example of Woodley’s yearning vocals that are so prevalent in the album. “Colourblind”, the last of three songs that were previously released, is another anthem with a “rah rah” feel and a haunting sense of urgency. This is another heavy song, growing in intensity throughout, coming to a breakdown-like end. Up Next, “New Romantics” is easily one of my favorite songs on the album, featuring a catchy hook and an old school punk vibe reminiscent of The Offspring, that, if you’re anything like me and grew up on the stuff, you can’t help but love. While I love “New Romantics”, though,  there is no denying that “Glasshouse” is likely one of the best songs that Dissonants has to offer. The song features what I believe is the epitome of Woodley’s urgent vocals, with a moving chorus, and a breakdown that you instinctively want to headbang to. Overall, “Glasshouse” is an incredibly solid song that I honestly can’t wait to see performed live.

Next up, “Division Symbols”  is packed with emotional vocals that demand your attention, and Woodley’s haunting voice is sure to leave you with chills. The album takes it down a notch with “Stillwater”. Again, Woodley’s vocals display the same urgency, but in a much softer way, allowing the rock and roll instrumentals to really shine. Another soft song, “Momentary”s catchy chorus grips you and progressively grows in pace before bringing it back down for a soft end.

“Motion Sickness”, while not as heavy as other songs from Dissonants, is another fantastic song. Woodley’s vocals are powerful in this track, and like “Stillwater”, this is a song where the guitar and drums are at their best, blending with Woodley’s vocals to create a soft, timeless rock and roll feel. “Degrees of Separation”, while it may take getting used to for some, is another one of my favorites from Dissonants, incorporating haunting Imagine Dragons-like echoes and some of Woodley’s best and most chilling vocals on the album. Hands Like Houses turn it back up in “Grey Havens” with another chilling and catchy melody, and a VERY heavy sound for the album, at times. Finally, the album comes to an end with “Bloodlines”. This song is somewhere in between as far as intensity, weaving between soft and hard rock sounds, with an overall soft feel and echoey vocals that fittingly concludes Hands Like Houses’ newest album.

     Dissonants is, in my opinion, Hands Like Houses best record yet. The album features a more developed and streamlined sound than others they have made, yet somehow manages to hold on to the aspects of their style that made them so popular in the first place. With Woodley’s extremely emotional, yearning vocals and intense hard/punk rock instrumentals, this album is definitely a winner. Although Hands Like Houses have already built a strong following with their music, they definitely don’t get the attention that they deserve. I highly recommend this album, and can tell you with certainty that Dissonants is well worth listening to.

Track Listing:

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. Gray Havens
12. Bloodlines