Hands Like Houses – Ground Dweller
Album Review by Kristy Siciliano
Hands Like Houses, one of Rise Records recently new signees, have just released their highly anticipated first full-length album on March 13, 2012. Hands Like Houses is a band straight out of Australia that has a fresh sound and a whole bunch of talent to come along with it. On their album they have guest vocals from some famous faces in the music industry in the US, such including Jonny Craig (Dance Gavin Dance/ex – Emarosa) Tyler Carter (ex – Woe, Is Me) and Matty Mullins (Memphis May Fire).
When I first purchased this album I honestly didn’t know what to expect. The sound is completely different from recent albums I have purchased recently and the sound in my eyes definitely stands out. Their musicianship is phenomenal, just by listening you can tell they put a lot of thought into creating the best sound that they possibly could. The vocals sounds like a cross of Brendon Urie (Panic, At the Disco) and Jonny Craig. I must say it is definitely a unique sound that have never crossed my ears, his voice draws you in and catches your attention, in a good way of course.
The band as a whole is extremely musical, I know what you’re thinking, what is this girl saying by musical, aren’t all bands musical? But what I’m trying to say is by musical I mean the depth they take their guitars, with all the rhythms and different cords and styles; also with the drums, bass, and electronics. They all mesh so well together and that is what gives this cd the dramatic edge that the music is portraying. Without all the musicality that was put into the creating of this album I personally don’t believe that it would have been nearly as incredible or successful as it is.
Ground Dweller sounds like if members of Woe, Is Me and Dance Gavin Dance made a band. So if you’re a fan of either of those bands you will love Hands Like Houses. There is so much dimension and versatility throughout the whole album, it shows musical growth from start to finish. If you’re looking for a new band to listen to that does not have screaming, stop what you’re doing and go check out Hands Like Houses! Starting May 2nd, Hands Like Houses will be setting out on the road with The Air I Breathe, My Ticket Home, and Palisades for the Rise Records Tour. If you can’t make it out to any of their shows, they had stated on their Facebook that they are dedicating the next six months to touring in the US, so expect a summer tour from them along with a fall tour!
Overall rating: 4/5
Website: www.facebook.com/handslikehouses
