Review: Hands Like Houses - Dissonants

Dissonants is the third album from Australian rockers, Hands Like Houses. Featuring a sound that blends the heaviness of 2012′s Ground Dweller with the lyrical intricacy of 2014′s Unimagine, the latest release sees the band at the top of their game and ready to take 2016 by storm.
Hands Like Houses are one of the fastest rising bands in the post-hardcore/rock scene and Dissonants is a prime example as to why. Sonically, the album sees the band bringing in heavier elements, with a noticeable focus on drums and bass. They’ve added dimension to the heaviness seen on Ground Dweller by making things louder and more precise (”I Am”, “Colourblind”), and after blending that sound with the melody and alternative rock vibe that was present on Unimagine (”Degrees of Separation”, “Perspectives”) have created a sound that’s unique and unlike what’s heard in the scene today.
Lyrically, Dissonants sees Hands Like Houses digging deep and penning the strongest songs of their career. One listen to the chorus of “Colourblind” (We are all for none and none for all / We are the sickness and the symptom and the cure) or the second verse of closing track “Bloodlines” (If I’m born to falter / And I’ve already fallen from your grace / Just give me the peace to prove that I’m alive) shows that the band have discovered who they want to be and are straying away from the typical lyrical content of their genre. When paired with frontman Trenton Woodley’s vocals (and occasional screams), the lyrics are given new depth and create an album filled with inspirational and relatable content.
Overall, Dissonants is a stellar release. Presenting a collection of songs that showcase growth, diversity and a freshness, it sees Hands Like Houses becoming one of the scene’s strongest bands. Without a doubt the band’s best release to date, Dissonants is easily in the running for the best album of 2016, and considering how early in the year we are, that’s definitely saying something.
