Hey, self isolation, how are ya? With all the events going on in the world, I'm sure I don't need to tell you that things are very overwhelming and I think we all can agree that the cabin fever is entirely real. I'm currently on day ten of this, and have been absolutely climbing the walls, going completely insane. With that, and no set end in sight, I'm trying to do all that I can to keep myself occupied. With that, I keep telling myself now is the perfect time to check out some bands that I have been meaning to listen to but just haven't gotten around to it. And if I'm doing that, might as well actually review what I find, right?
I decided to start with Hands Like Houses, as a friend showed me a song or two from them while on a road trip last month. I don't remember the song he showed me, and definitely don't recall the album it was on, but I know I liked what I heard. So, I did listen to a few songs on YouTube before looking into albums, and made a discovery. At some point I downloaded their 2013 album, Unimagine. I don't remember doing this, I assume I got it with the intentions to review it but never did. Or at least, if I did, I can't find it now. I was actually going to start with their newer songs, as I know that's what I heard on YouTube recently, but since I already have this album, might as well start there, right? So, my discoveries showed that it was released on July 23,2013, and apparently they debuted the first single, "Introduced Species" whilst on tour with Pierce The Veil and Woe, Is Me. Its a very catchy song, so choosing to debut that live probably was a smart move. I could see this one being a great one to get the crowd moving and hyped up. What I discovered while listening to this first album at least was I like their sound, but I didn't find their lyrics to have a ton of depth. Or at least, they didn't hit on a personal level for myself anyway. A few songs did stand out though. "Weight" was pretty powerful however. Its all about feeling burned out, and overwhelmed, but trying to come back from it all. You feel the weight of the world, but you're not losing hope. "Shapeshifters" actually is very sweet, and meant to be a love letter of sorts. Just speaking to someone close to them, more or less saying you can face everything together. "If I'm the ship you're the shore. If I'm the solider, you're the war. If I'm the soil, then you're the seed. If I'm the puzzle, you're the piece that completes the picture. The safety in the storm, the color of the rising dawn as the mountains kiss her. We will be unbreakable." Its actually rather poetic. Over all, I honestly did enjoy the album, I can easily find myself turning it back on, but I really don't feel like it had a lot to it. It feels like a very solid first album, but I'm interested to see how much they've grown since then. Stay tuned, I'll probably be looking into them further over the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Hands Like Houses have a brand new song called Headrush out now and do have some upcoming tour dates that are still scheduled as far as I'm aware. Check out "Headrush" on YouTube by clicking here, and check out all their upcoming tour dates on their official website. Also, we're trying to get more active on the Facebook page, so please be sure to follow us over there, and leave suggestions on bands or albums you enjoy! I have a lot of time on my hands right now, and am hoping to motivate myself to use this time wisely, and get back to a level I once was with Immortal Music. Hope you all are holding up alright. Please stay safe!
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On February 22 of this year, The Word Alive released their sixth studio album, Monomania. I actually pre-ordered this album, and have been very interested ever since the title track was released. However, adulting gets in the way, and while this album stayed at the front of my mind, I am only just now getting a chance to do a review for it. Better late than never, right? That's what I'm telling myself, anyway.
Anywho, so I listened to "Monomania" as an attempt to prep to see them live with Escape The Fate and Falling In Reverse. I listened to most of their discography, and reviewed two of their albums in preparation. If you want to check those out, you can do so by clicking here and here. In order, those are Real and Dark Matter, for those interested. Now, I admit, I have not loved everything I've heard from The Word Alive. I haven't out right hated any of it, but very few songs have been something that really held my attention. Every album had at least one song I could leave behind, but this one was shaping up to be a bit different. Out of the three singles released, "Monomania", "Burning Your World Down" and "No Way Out", I loved all three. I have found myself playing all three songs daily for several weeks now, so of course I was extremely curious for the new album. I could see this album growing on me fully, but for now I will say I didn't feel particularly attached to most of it. The singles still held my attention the most, though I definitely can see a lot went into this album. I feel like writing the lyrics for it was rather therapeutic, and that's something I certainly support. Some of the album hit on a personal level for me, as this one clearly was written while recovering from a break up. You see a lot of the stages that come with recovery, grief, anger, regret, ect. Its powerful, don't get me wrong, and style wise, I love it. Song wise, only a couple really stood out to me, for now that is. That would be "Thank You", and "Greatest Almost." "Greatest Almost" is clearly reflecting on a relationship that's ended, and seeing that you were being blamed for how it all ended, just to realize it wasn't all on you. Its when you reach the point where some memories still sting, but you're done missing that person. You're finally able to deal with it all and finally move on. Then you're getting some of the clarity you needed. "And all the time that I wasted feels so long ago, I'm so glad that I faced it. Lesson learned, won't change it. Sometimes our hearts get the best of it. Sometimes we chase the lust, and it gets the best of us." Now as for, "Thank You." In essence, its basically a "fuck you" to anyone who's trying to tear them down. But instead of actually saying that, you're thanking them for basically just adding fuel to the fire. The style they chose for this is really powerful, and I have no doubt its the type of song a lot of people could use to hype themselves up in many situations. Over all, I do think the album is worth your time. Go get Monomania wherever music is sold, or stream it on Spotify. They just got off tour with Falling In Reverse and Escape The Fate, but will be heading back out on the road this summer with Starset. For more information, head on over to their official website! |
InformationAll reviews have the date they were written, the album title, and the band's name, with the exception of Life Starts Now by Three Days Grace and Dear Agony by Breaking Benjamin. Those dates were guessed at, as they were written well before the website began. Archives
February 2022
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