Hands Like Houses - Better Before (feat. Aaron Gillespie) Official Music Video
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- čas přidán 30. 01. 2024
- On Tour around Aus in March '24. Tickets at handslikehouses.live
Better before is a song about the negative impact that comes with welcoming someone or a substance into your life, even if it has a toxic impact. For myself it plays into the concept of substances/addiction and how that can change how you perceive yourself, your relationships and your own way of living. I see it as a reflection of toxic relationships, manipulative behaviors and unhealthy dependences on short term highs with long term lows. When I sing the chorus even though it is directed at a “person” in the lyric, for me I think about a past self and the inherent guilt that comes with losing control, making mistakes and the realization that those toxic behaviours stemmed from not just a relationship, but the myriad of toxic things that fed my life for a long period of time and created the destructive situation. For me it’s a deeper look into how I view my past mistakes, toxic dependencies and the discovering/acceptance of growth. ~ Josh
Written and performed by Hands Like Houses & Aaron Gillespie
Additional music and production by Callan Orr
Produced by Callan Orr
Engineered, Mixed and Mastered by Callan Orr at Avalanche Studios
Vocals by Aaron Gillespie
Director / Editor - Sam Koster
Additional Shooting by Neal Walters
Dancer - Polina Ludina
LYRICS:
I was better before I met you
I’m always coming down, living at the bottom.
This pain don’t feel the same, drowning in the sorrow.
The magic you erased, left me so hollow.
The smile upon your faces haunt me
-Playing the game, running away
Finding a way to Barely escape
Look at your smile, circle the drain
A beautiful cycle
On and off again, bathing in the sin
I never seem to win, but you love to watch me try
It felt good to know, I let you in my soul
I gave you all control, But I was better before I met you.
It felt so good to hate
And see just what you did
Would you chase me down the drain
Or live in your madness
There’s no chance that I’ll get worse
There’s no chance that I won’t hurt
-Playing the game, running away
Finding a way to Barely escape
Look at your smile, circle the drain
A beautiful cycle
It felt good to know, I let you in my soul
I gave you all control, But I was better before I met you.
Is it better now
Do you think you got enough?
Ever wonder why?
I never gave it up
It’s so funny how
You ruined me with love
Ain’t it funny that
You’ll never get enough
You’ll never get enough
You’ll never take enough
It felt good to know, I let you in my soul
I gave you all control, But I was better before
Better before I met you
(It felt good to know)
Before I met you
(I let you in my soul)
But I was better before I met you - Hudba
I think the instrumentals call back a bit to the heaviness that Dissonants hinted at, and the new singer's is pretty decent too. I think there's lots of potential with the new album.
Lyrically, I wouldn't go so far as to say it's bad, they're perfectly fine, but we may just have to accept that HLH will never to return to the depth and poetry of their old style.
Their old stuff is so fucking god tier. The lyrics, the sound, the vibe, everything was soo good about the old HLH
@@akiasura Totally agree, I'm relistening to their discography as we speak haha. I definitely want to give the new stuff a chance though, as even Anon has grown on me despite my negative initial reactions. Also, Aaron Gillespie is one of my favourite musicians, so this collaboration is pretty hype.
Agreed the lyrics on songs like Wisteria and Developments on Unimagine are epic that will always be their best album
I literally played the unimagine album out of the blue today while setting up for work today. I have loved the band for such a long time but sadly I’m not feeling this. (As much as I hate to say it)
HLH have also put out great music and the water EP was a pleasant surprise. Softer and more mature as I had grown older and was great to show friends in my 30’s more alternative music.
I listened to this track and was just underwhelmed. Felt Lazy and uninspired to me. Yes I’m a few beers deep, but HLH was known as a ridiculously talented cohesive unit. The selling point was always every single member of the band had some amazing to offer. You could hear every instrument and they all gelled together. It was a symphony of awesomeness.
Most of my mates never listened to remotely heavy music and the unimagine album was a gateway for nearly all of my friends and girlfriend to get into heavy music.
I understand it’s been 10 years but theres no soul in the track.
I wish you boys al the best, but these Hands aren’t like houses😢
I see an Aaron Gillespie feature I click.
But where is he?! 😢
He sucks dude.
It’s insane how things change. You think when you stop listening to a band that everything is gonna be the same when you come back. But time goes on and things change whether you’re paying attention or not
I'm still missing their Ground Dweller/Unimagine sound, maybe it's never coming back 😢
Agree ground dweller and unimagine is my fav album from hlh. old singer have unique voice that make me felt in love for this band.
Hell no bro. I’ve seen these dudes live 5 times that’s shit is never coming back. HLH days are over.
Good old days
well to be honest, this sounds awesome too
go listen to the album “Odyssey” by the band Valiant Hearts
Too close to touch, Our mirage & now hands like houses all in one day 🔥
And OAA
Wait...I missed alot today, thanks mate
update, never heard of Our MIrage but they got a new fan today
Thinking same thing!
💬 forever 🤎
Those TCTT features are gunna hit hard.
The new stuff goes hard live. All of the band members seemed to be enjoying themselves more and Josh was great. Fully committed.
I found this band a few years ago and was pleasantly surprised and now they got the legend featured, what a band
I love old HLH. I love this. Enough said.
Definitely Hands Like Houses is BETTER BEFORE.
It's undoubtedly an amazing song ❤
Caraca que presença essa dança, frenética!
I love this!
I’m still loving how heavy you guys have become this is great❤
Love the song, keep it coming ❤
Another cracking banging track with the new line up!! Love it!!!!
i love it!!!!!!!!
I dont see why people arent enjoying this, for me this is some of the best stuff I ever heard from them!! Much love
In my case, much of what I loved about HLH was Trenton's voice and the almost poetic lyrics. After Trenton's dismissal the two new songs have been very generic, something I'd hear on the radio and not think twice about. They're not terrible, but compared to the songs I loved by them (Hurricane, Glasshouse, Developments, A Tale of Outer Suburbia to name a few off the top of my head) these new songs just don't compare.
Much better than “Heaven”, but the sheer irony of this song’s title still isn’t lost.
I don’t think the new vocalist is a problem, his talent is very apparent and I know better than to dismiss that, but something’s just not right. I’ve said it before, but just because something’s new or different doesn’t mean it can’t be great or that it can’t stick with people long after release.
For what it’s worth, the instrumentals are still very recognizably HLH, even in the midst of a completely new direction. I just have a feeling the past two songs could’ve been greater.
Agreed. Both songs are good. They just don’t have that last 5%. They’re both so safe it’s almost boring.
@@TheTwigglet Both songs are MEDIOCRE at best. HLH is dead.
@@TheTwigglet if these singles they're releasing are supposed to be the best on the album, then my hopes are unfortunately low
@@EpiphoneShredzzzzz album will answer that I suppose. I think they’re playing it safe. Hope the album has more
This is FIRE
Glad the guys are back. I am digging the new singer for sure!
Love it! Good to see you back, boys
Love how they managed to create a pretty heavy breakdown without screaming. Reminds me of Animals by Architects in that regard.
Not a good comparison, animals is such a boring and basic song. This is so generic :(
@@GarrettsGearNot sure what you're trying to say, but I think both songs are pretty good. This doesn't quite hold up to older HLH imo, but Animals meanwhile is definitely one of the best Architects songs post-Tom.
try sheridan - the flood, thats a heavy breakdown without screaming imo
@@FairyCRat that is a big reach, I mean each and every single track in Holy Hell is better than Animals, and I like Animals but the decline after Holy Hell is gigantic. Maybe because Sam can't sing like that anymore so they had to adjust
❤❤❤
I agree
One of the best songs they’ve released since Drift 🔥 welcome back lads
editor: How much glow do you want?
HLH: yes
❤
Let’s go!!!
new energy for HLH, amazing
How did I miss this 😮
this sounds so much better than the first single! I do miss the lyrical content they had before though
Love this BOTTOM
excellent 😁👍💪
Loving the new sound. Keep the new music coming!
Welcome back 🤘🤘🤘
You boys crushed Perth and y'all fuckin smashed this this song! Insane.
😍
🤘💃💃💃🤘
yeah you're right, hlh was better before
I can’t believe this 😢 no more HLH 💔
love the title. that's it tho
Pretty fucking sweet
Miss the old HLH😢
Yes this is better then heaven. I dig it.
When you guys coming to the UK?
At least they are self aware.
I don't know why everyone keeps hating on this, I think it's nice they got heavy again
I'm loving the new HLH, here's to more bangers this year 🤘
Much better than the first single with the new guy.
Banger 🔥🔥🔥
Also Alex looking unrecognisable these days, thought it was a different person 😂
I thought he was the featured artist at first
Thank God you went back to your roots, I couldn't take the "experimental indie" era anymore!! I fell in love with the band again! Thank you for returning to the original style!
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🍕🍕🍕🍕🎉🤘🤘🤘🤘😤
My fav HLH song, hands down ( no pun) is Through Glass. This has no substance or feeling, I'm sorry. Run of the mill 6/10
I might be the only one who likes the new sound. I loved HLH before and I love their new direction, new singer is incredibly talented, instrumentals are great and the mix is banging !
Please don't despair guys, change is tough but in the end people will get it
You might be the only one. This shit is trash.
"Better Before."
Just like this band.
💖🇦🇺🔥🤘
Seemingly going against the grain here, but I prefer Heaven! The song’s good though, keep them coming
This band is unrecognizable now.
Hell yea brother❤
Liked the other singer he's why I got into you guys unfortunately
This is what made me realize maybe I was more of a fan of the vocalist, not so much the band. Hell I got into this band because at the time they released Ground Dweller, I was listening to Emarosa and was a huge fan of Johnny Craig's vocals, and they featured him on one of their tracks. So naturally I checked it out and then checked out the rest of the album.
That said, Ground Dweller was fucking LIGHTYEARS above and beyond these new tracks. I personally don't think they'll ever touch that peak again.
@EdBoi18 Trent for sure has a really unique voice in that genre so I was hooked the second I heard I am and that 2016 album but hopefully he do something after this
Well at least the title is appropriate
Is that a new singer? He doesnt look the same
Yes, they have a new vocalist.
I loved the song 🎶 🎶 but did the band's lead singer change or did he just shave off his beard? 😅
it's a totally different man
who are the new guys? Hearing hlh after a long time.
It's a new vocalist, but the rest of the band is the same!
Shit shit shit… I am just learning they changed singers. Trent was the reason I listened. No hate towards the new singer… the transition is never easy (I’m a DGD fanboy so I definitely get it)… I just… don’t do well with change
I dig this. Idk why all the hate.
Promo-SM ❣️
I hate to sound like a troll, but unfortunately, im just not digging the new sound. The uniqueness that Hands Like Houses had was what had them stand above the rest of the bands in the genre. This is just another song that is generic and sounds like everytbing else. If it came up in a playlist, i wouldnt even think its HLH. Obviously they wont sound exactly the same, but theyve lost their unique edge
Yeabits more mainstream "whats selling right now"
Did they get a new vocalist?
Agree with you 100%
While I enjoy this track I personally do t think HLH have been that unique since Dissonats or even Unimagine though I'm aware nostalgia is doing a ton of heavy lifting there.
@@scottperkins5038 They got heavier with Dissonants but it was still unmistakably HLH. Unimagine though? You’ve gotta be high. That’s the most unique album they have.
Is this a new singer
Yes, Trent left for personal reasons
He was kicked out. Personal reasons my ass.
Damn that sucks, this guy isnt nearly as good as he was
Oh yeah, love the direction. Sounds clsoer to the early HLH, just the way I like it.
I’m not sure what you mean by early HLH bc to me early HLH is Ground Dweller and this is vastly different. This is closer to Dissonants imo
Not that the song is bad is just generic, i wish nothing but the best for the current lineup of the band this just feels generic IMO
hands like 30 something and still living at parents houses. 👏
Change the name of your damn band. This is not the HLH I fell in love with almost 10 yrs ago
Yet another once great band that has devolved into a butt rock sound. Pack it up boys, it's over.
I tried to give the new shit a chance. It’s just not hitting me like it used to. It’s been a good run. At least I have the old stuff.
I mean, they are telling us "Better Before" lol
Panic At The Disco goes hard
Better than the first single but still not blowing my mind. Very disappointing that it’s essentially the same video as the first single.
Curti o novo vocal não, na moral
A good song! But this isn't HLH anymore..💔
Weak biased comment about how someone doesn’t sound EXACTLY like someone else.
Better than half the shit out these days. Music is art meant to be interpreted in different ways and to not constantly be the same. It’s an evolution for the band and honestly it’s not a bad one. They could pull a 30STM. Just throw away their instruments and replace em with a synth pad. Better yet just let AI do all their writing for em. I couldn’t play that good or sing that good so I’m not gonna hate one someone who can.
I do like the song…but it’s definitely not the Hands Like Houses I remember.
😂 Better before is right
Change your name so people don’t confuse this with the quality of hlh in the past
🙏
i agree so wholeheartedly
They have a new singer? I’m incredibly out of touch with this band. This song is not bad.
Weak vanilla garbage. The Talent left the band.
!!!!!!
I support HLH, but I'm gonna have to pass on this. Too much of a departure for me.
They couldn't at least change up the video from Heaven? Songs.. meh
Genericore
hey...this isn't a fucking joke.
STOP DOING CHOREOGRAPHED DANCES IN ROCK AND METAL MUSIC VIDEOS. WTF.
So horrible lol. It sounds so generic.
In my personal opinion, this surpasses anything featured on "Anon," which, arguably, represents their most generic material shift to date.
The effort is there but if we’re being honest this just sounds like a copy paste of everything else in the genre. HLH had a talent for sticking out exceptionally well within the genre whether it was the sound of Ground Dweller or the delve into heavier stuff that Dissonants had. Y’all would be better off doing what Rain City Drive did and just change names because it’s definitely not the same band anymore.
This band sounds generically cringeworthy, it's so cliche.
This song screams pretencious, outdated and desperate to be famous.
The cliches are annoying.
When listening to this band, uninspiring, try hard and lacking in substance comes to mind, it's no surprise that they have always relied heavily on production value and studio gimmicks to fake their way as 'musicians', even their fake backing tracks they heavily overdub when they play 'live' tecnhnically makes them a karaoke band.
Come on, at least stop being pretentious, self entitled wannabe's, at least try to have a personality and stop being so fake.
Dude Aaron and the new guy sounds like trash honestly 🗑️
I agree
Mmmmh... Yeah no, I'm not liking this one. I get that there's a message here, but it feels really generic. Visually, the video is just not it. It's blinding, in a bad way. Sound wise, I just feel like this was a Hail Mary kind of track--an attempt to reach back to an old sound, but I can't find that sound here.
People are gonna go nuts for it, sure. But I'm feeling like this era isn't really going to be for me. Maybe I'm stuck in the past era of this band, because it had a sound I hadn't heard before, and consequently fell in love with.
Harsher criticism than I had for Heaven, honestly. Guess I'll try again with the next release.