The Hotelier: Home, Like Noplace Is There

Artist: The Hotelier
Title: Home, Like Noplace Is There
Format Reviewed: MP3
Format Released: 25th February 2014
Reviewed By: James Reeve

I've always been a firm believer that the greatest records are the ones that will leave you in a jaw-dropping, paralyzed state of awe, while simultaneously filling you with that wonderful urge to get jumping out of your seat, screaming along to lyrics that resonate deep down inside of you. If I was to be honest, it's been a while since I felt this (two years to be exact, with the release of The Menzingers' On The Impossible Past). But on the opening track to The Hotelier's new album Home, Like Noplace Is There, I can clearly say that this magnificent feeling once again returned to me, and started from the moment the heart-warming sound of a vinyl needle starts on opener An Introduction To The Album.

If I'm honest, I had to give this song about five listens before the words could flow through my fingers onto the laptop screen. With the lonely chord of an electric organ, beautiful and melodic guitar work, and Christian Holden's sensational voice, it's easy to understand why. "I searched for a way out, don't we all" was when the goosebumps started to rise, reaching full climatic swing once "I just slept for years on end" is screamed at the top of his lungs. A truly wonderful start to the Worcester band's second release.

The album follows on exceedingly well. With songs such as Your Deep Rest, which begin with exemplifying notions of slow, emotional brilliance, before finalising with climactic and raucous excellence. "Called in sick from your funeral / Sight of your body made me feel uncomfortable / I couldn't recognise your shell” is just small snippet of lyrical excellence shown in this song, which is genuinely carried on throughout.  

One of the worries I had prior to listening to this record come down to the following statement given about it: “…a uniquely political record, but also a subtler, more powerful one.” This simply couldn't be truer. Touching on difficult subjects such as suicide and gender confusion, you can tell that a lot of time and effort was taken in the making of this. There are times throughout when you also feel that Holden's voice is simply going to give in from screaming these insatiable words, primarily on the frantic Life is Drag. An epic hardcore song if there ever was one, similar to the sounds of such acts as Touche Amore, and La Dispute. Others such as Discomfort Revisited lower the pace, taking a calming approach for the album, reminding me exactly of the works of such indie-punk bands like Good Shoes.

I'd say one of the more difficult, yet brilliant aspects to this record is pinpointing specifically what genre to label it under. All I can say is that it has aspects of everything, which will make it hugely enjoyable to everyone. Whether you have preference for hardcore elements, lining tracks such as Life is Drag and Among the Wildflowers, to the more beautiful emo/pop-punk aspects of tunes such as The Scope of All of This Rebuilding, there is definitely something for everyone.

I'm going to end this review by, once again, saying that the greatest records (or at least my personal favourite ones) are the releases that simply fill you up with a plethora of emotions, but also leave you sat there motionless, covered in goosebumps. From start to finish, this was all I could feel.

I'm not one for making 'Best albums of the year' lists until at least mid December, purely on the basis that something better could always potentially come along. But compared to Home, Like Noplace Is There, I highly doubt something this phenomenal will. This is truly a great album that I will hold dear to my heart for many, many years to come.