Hands Like Houses – Unimagine (04/09/2013)
Australian locals Hands Like Houses second studio album Unimagine cements their well-deserved place on the Australian and International hardcore scene.
After their 2012 debut album Ground Dweller, it is clear that Hands Like Houses have managed a lot of growing up before this release. Unimagine plays as polished and balanced album that has taken the best of the hardcore subgenres to create a unique but pleasantly familiar sound.
Developments is the perfect opening track that showcases exactly why this album deserves a listen and just how much the band has grown in the last year. Starting off with a quiet piano intro, the song quickly blasts into a wall of guitar riffs and classic hardcore drums.
However it’s really Trenton Woodley’s soaring vocals that steal the spotlight on this track, and throughout the album as a whole. Following up, the album’s first single, Introduced Species, is a hardcore anthem jam-packed with explosive riffs, pounding drums, heavy breakdowns, an incredibly catchy chorus and chanted line of ‘we don’t belong here’ that is just waiting to be screamed along with by packed out venues.
Taking a moment to slow down the album, Oceandust is a highlight of the album with Woodley’s voice delivering every ounce of emotion written into this ballad’s lyrics. The song opens with a beautiful interplay between the vocals and the steady piano melody before introducing subtle acoustic guitar touches a little later into the song. The energy of the songs builds along with the vocals towards the end, with the band all joining in the sing the final chorus in an intimate and heartfelt close to the song.
No Parallels continues the intimate feel while building up to the full band’s backing. The opening lines are strongly reminiscent of The Cab’s recent works, and while a little pop-ier than the rest of the album, it has been worked perfectly into the album.
With the energy and volume quickly building back up to a peak, the second single A Fire On A Hill closes the album off on an unforgettable and highly emotional note. Once again, Woodley’s vocals are the forefront of the song with his incredibly impressive vocal range on show. This track fits perfectly as the album close, with the song creating a parting climax for the listener that sends you pressing the repeat button as soon as its over.
Bethany Williams
After their 2012 debut album Ground Dweller, it is clear that Hands Like Houses have managed a lot of growing up before this release. Unimagine plays as polished and balanced album that has taken the best of the hardcore subgenres to create a unique but pleasantly familiar sound.
Developments is the perfect opening track that showcases exactly why this album deserves a listen and just how much the band has grown in the last year. Starting off with a quiet piano intro, the song quickly blasts into a wall of guitar riffs and classic hardcore drums.
However it’s really Trenton Woodley’s soaring vocals that steal the spotlight on this track, and throughout the album as a whole. Following up, the album’s first single, Introduced Species, is a hardcore anthem jam-packed with explosive riffs, pounding drums, heavy breakdowns, an incredibly catchy chorus and chanted line of ‘we don’t belong here’ that is just waiting to be screamed along with by packed out venues.
Taking a moment to slow down the album, Oceandust is a highlight of the album with Woodley’s voice delivering every ounce of emotion written into this ballad’s lyrics. The song opens with a beautiful interplay between the vocals and the steady piano melody before introducing subtle acoustic guitar touches a little later into the song. The energy of the songs builds along with the vocals towards the end, with the band all joining in the sing the final chorus in an intimate and heartfelt close to the song.
No Parallels continues the intimate feel while building up to the full band’s backing. The opening lines are strongly reminiscent of The Cab’s recent works, and while a little pop-ier than the rest of the album, it has been worked perfectly into the album.
With the energy and volume quickly building back up to a peak, the second single A Fire On A Hill closes the album off on an unforgettable and highly emotional note. Once again, Woodley’s vocals are the forefront of the song with his incredibly impressive vocal range on show. This track fits perfectly as the album close, with the song creating a parting climax for the listener that sends you pressing the repeat button as soon as its over.
Bethany Williams