Hidden Hospitals
Liars

Hidden Hospitals - Liars

Hidden Hospitals have cemented themselves as one of my favorite current rock bands. As I was listening through Liars, I was taken back to what got me into the band in the first place. Their 2015 album, Surface Tension, was a breath of fresh air. They didn’t sound like anything on the radio. They aren’t afraid to try new things when it comes to their music and with Liars they encapsulate rock ‘n roll in their own way.

Here’s what vocalist Dave Raymond has to say about rock ‘n roll: “Even the term ‘rock and roll’ evokes imagery that’s encapsulated. Heroes of a time passed, men in leather jackets and torn denim, guitars and Marshall half stacks, anchored in nostalgia, haunting CBGB’s.” I’m not here to tell you rock is dead, because that’s not something I believe. Not yet, anyway. But rock has certainly evolved over the years into something different and something new.

Raymond’s vocals have a soft tone that contrast with the music just enough. It’s not such a huge contrast that it deters you from the music, but it makes it so interesting to listen to. Songs like “Acid Rain” and “Taking Sides” sound anthemic without Raymond’s voice necessarily needing to be loud and powerful. More often than not, his voice is actually a calming force.

When you dive into the lyrics of Liars, you’ll find words on all facets of life. Love, happiness, memories, and so much more are part of this album. You won’t catch everything on a single listen because of how much depth you’ll find within each song.

Liars is a great step for the band. After two EPs, the release of their debut album, Surface Tensions, and now this release, the band is building up a great discography so far. Hidden Hospitals is the rock band that I think all fans of the genre should be listening to right now.