bolgy99
03/11/10, 07:48 PM
House vs. Hurricane - Perspectives
Record Label: Shock
Release Date: March 5, 2010
In 2008, House vs. Hurricane released their ambitious EP Forfeiture, which incorporated techno breakdowns amongst tidy post-hardcore, and split their prospective audience into two minds. For two years, the battle has raged between those who believed the Melbourne, Australia sextet innovators, and those who considered them ridiculous. Their debut album, Perspectives, is House vs. Hurricane’s resounding response.
The opening track “Leaps & Bounds” is a perfect example of what to expect from the album. Beginning with a pleasant ambience, the track builds slowly as each member contributes to the track, only to erupt into a sound reminiscent of older Misery Signals. Soon after, with guitars chugging and breakdowns imminent in the near-metalcore sound, Joey Fragione breaks in, first with a dash of the keys you would have expected from previous efforts, followed up with some intense moments on the piano. The clean, pure sound of the piano is perfect introduction to Ryan McLerie’s soft, yet somewhat eerie vocals, which although scarce throughout the album, deliver some of the most memorable moments on Perspectives.
The album continuously pummels the listener with similar guitar tones and thunderous drumming, all the while lead vocalist Christopher Dicker delivering anthemic, inspiring lyrics in his harsh, gravelly voice. Whilst they incorporate the same sound throughout, this in no way detracts from the final product. The tracks on Perspectives generate their own moments of individuality, whether it’s through Fragione’s substantial contributions or the contrasting vocals of Dicker and McLerie.
There are brief moments where House vs. Hurricane revert back to their old sound on tracks like “Lesson Learnt” and “Orphan” let the keyboard take control. In most cases, this results in a danceable, slightly confusing and awkward moment, but is soon reined in by chugging guitars and Dicker’s imposing vocals. Though their debut EP was unique in how it blended techno into their songs, it often fumbled in the change between the two. Perspectives still incorporates the sounds they began with, however rather than separate entities tacked on after one another, the two are blended often seamlessly, and prove to be a step forward in the maturity of their songwriting.
McLerie shines once more on “So They Say”, as he closes out the track over vigorous guitar and a slowed, more epic beat. However, as the album reaches its end, many of the earlier tracks begin to be overshadowed by the sheer brilliance of the closing four tracks. “Positively Shifted” is a summation of everything House vs. Hurricane strive for, with the persistent beat of Sam Osborne driving a track full of passion. The keyboard is distinctively strong, though it's kept in check perfectly by Dicker’s growls. “Positively Shifted” provides the perfect blend of heavy and soft: Fragione’s keys and chugging guitars, breakdowns and catchy beats.
The three-part closing tracks can really be considered one long track, with the instrumental track in the middle tying the two together effortlessly. “I. Sinister in Many Forms” brings with it some of the standout guitar work on the album, along with some particularly heavy breakdowns for the kids to flail their arms to. “III. Nevermore” is an earnest closure to the album, McLerie once more getting a chance to express vocally, and the two entangle lines to cue the closing notes, with harmony and resolve.
House vs. Hurricane have vastly developed their sound between releases, and it can only be seen as progression from the ambitious Forfeiture. Instrumentally tight and lyrically stirring, Perspectives should be the step House vs. Hurricane need to propel them into the view of a greater audience, while still acknowledging what they set out to do.
post-hardcore with keys; Misery Signals; Enter Shikari
myspace.com/housevshurricane (http://www.myspace.com/housevshurricane)
Record Label: Shock
Release Date: March 5, 2010
In 2008, House vs. Hurricane released their ambitious EP Forfeiture, which incorporated techno breakdowns amongst tidy post-hardcore, and split their prospective audience into two minds. For two years, the battle has raged between those who believed the Melbourne, Australia sextet innovators, and those who considered them ridiculous. Their debut album, Perspectives, is House vs. Hurricane’s resounding response.
The opening track “Leaps & Bounds” is a perfect example of what to expect from the album. Beginning with a pleasant ambience, the track builds slowly as each member contributes to the track, only to erupt into a sound reminiscent of older Misery Signals. Soon after, with guitars chugging and breakdowns imminent in the near-metalcore sound, Joey Fragione breaks in, first with a dash of the keys you would have expected from previous efforts, followed up with some intense moments on the piano. The clean, pure sound of the piano is perfect introduction to Ryan McLerie’s soft, yet somewhat eerie vocals, which although scarce throughout the album, deliver some of the most memorable moments on Perspectives.
The album continuously pummels the listener with similar guitar tones and thunderous drumming, all the while lead vocalist Christopher Dicker delivering anthemic, inspiring lyrics in his harsh, gravelly voice. Whilst they incorporate the same sound throughout, this in no way detracts from the final product. The tracks on Perspectives generate their own moments of individuality, whether it’s through Fragione’s substantial contributions or the contrasting vocals of Dicker and McLerie.
There are brief moments where House vs. Hurricane revert back to their old sound on tracks like “Lesson Learnt” and “Orphan” let the keyboard take control. In most cases, this results in a danceable, slightly confusing and awkward moment, but is soon reined in by chugging guitars and Dicker’s imposing vocals. Though their debut EP was unique in how it blended techno into their songs, it often fumbled in the change between the two. Perspectives still incorporates the sounds they began with, however rather than separate entities tacked on after one another, the two are blended often seamlessly, and prove to be a step forward in the maturity of their songwriting.
McLerie shines once more on “So They Say”, as he closes out the track over vigorous guitar and a slowed, more epic beat. However, as the album reaches its end, many of the earlier tracks begin to be overshadowed by the sheer brilliance of the closing four tracks. “Positively Shifted” is a summation of everything House vs. Hurricane strive for, with the persistent beat of Sam Osborne driving a track full of passion. The keyboard is distinctively strong, though it's kept in check perfectly by Dicker’s growls. “Positively Shifted” provides the perfect blend of heavy and soft: Fragione’s keys and chugging guitars, breakdowns and catchy beats.
The three-part closing tracks can really be considered one long track, with the instrumental track in the middle tying the two together effortlessly. “I. Sinister in Many Forms” brings with it some of the standout guitar work on the album, along with some particularly heavy breakdowns for the kids to flail their arms to. “III. Nevermore” is an earnest closure to the album, McLerie once more getting a chance to express vocally, and the two entangle lines to cue the closing notes, with harmony and resolve.
House vs. Hurricane have vastly developed their sound between releases, and it can only be seen as progression from the ambitious Forfeiture. Instrumentally tight and lyrically stirring, Perspectives should be the step House vs. Hurricane need to propel them into the view of a greater audience, while still acknowledging what they set out to do.
post-hardcore with keys; Misery Signals; Enter Shikari
myspace.com/housevshurricane (http://www.myspace.com/housevshurricane)