Album Review: Hands - Synesthesia

Hands
Synesthesia
Rating: Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It

Hands, an LA by-way-of Philly quartet made up of Geoff Halliday, Ryan Sweeney, Sean Hess and Alex Staniloff, are likely to follow in the footsteps of their former tour mates Foster The People in that they make up an almost irresistible mix of swirly electronic and alt-rock/pop that worms its way into your brain at an alarming rate. What sets them apart from Foster The People is a more adventurous spirit which finds the band willing to explore darker sounds and allow their sound to breathe and go in different directions. While some of these directions don't necessarily fit them in the overall scheme of things, the experimentation shows they are not willing to only be pigeon-holed in one sound.

Their debut record Synesthesia works best when it strays a little bit off the beaten path. "Videolove" begins with a dark, electronica vibe, with moody synths, haunting samples, and atmospheric guitar work that build to an almost bright synth-driven coda;



"Nothing But Animals" again works up from tense electronics into a bright and airy guitar workout;

while "Brave Motion" works in some more angular guitar work while Halliday's vocals get more and more frantic.



Where Synesthesia doesn't work is when Hands' influences overcome the tracks or where the band leans a little too close to generic alt-electro pop. "Lonesome Body" sounds like an Animal Collective B-side, with its dense production, herky-jerky vocal delivery, and anthemic chorus; while lead track "Trouble" marches in line with the direction set out by Foster the People with its bouncy rhythms and synths;



and "House of Jars" pokes and meanders through spacey synths, drugged out vocals, and a tepid drum track.

Thankfully, these moments pass quickly and they get back to making some damn catchy tracks like the joyously giddy synth and guitar romp "The Game Is Changing Us" which should be a huge radio hit if there is any justice in the world;



the odd jazzy-into-atmospheric synth and guitar textured jam "Kinetic;"

or the soaring, airy guitar pop of the gorgeous track "Elegant Road."

Overall, Synesthesia is an excellent debut for the band, showing enough promise that they will further carve out their own distinct niche in a relatively crowded alt-pop field. It helps that they consistently craft some pretty darn catchy tracks which bring you back time and time again to this album. With some more touring and more exposure, I can definitely see this band taking off. Just sit back and watch.

Rating Scale:

Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.

Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.

Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top releases of the year.

Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and piques one's interest for more material.

Meh: not horrible, but certainly not great; could have either been polished, trimmed, or re-thought.

Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.

Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.