The Hotel Year’s 2011 album, ‘It Never Goes Out’, struck a chord with a lot of people. We suddenly had this new, raw band that captured the essence of growing up in nine of the best pop-punk tracks in years. Each track carried huge amounts of character, a heavy dose of nostalgia and an endearing lack of production. Innocence mixed with exasperation and we rooted for the storytellers and their compelling tales.
Three years have passed since then and The Hotel Year have transformed into The Hotelier. Their latest album, ‘Home, Like Noplace Is There’, is one of the most eagerly anticipated releases of the year. Has it been worth the wait? Too fucking right it has. This is every bit as good as anyone could have hoped for.
‘An Introduction To The Album’ is the perfect opener. It’s low key and gradually builds into this real outburst of emotion from vocalist Christian Holden, a poignant way to announce your return and one which sets the tone well. We’re suitably pumped by the time ‘The Scope Of All This Rebuilding’ crashes into its melodic verse and huge chorus. Holden’s vocals manage to convey a real passion and he’s lost none of that raw imperfection which set the band up well previously. He’s swapped coming of age tales for anger and frustration, but it’s every bit as captivating. ‘Your Deep Rest’ is the perfect example of this. As Holden cries out “I found the notes you left behind”, you’re fully behind his pain for his departed friend and ready to unload by the rocky middle eight. ‘Among The Wildflowers’ and ‘Life In Drag’ continue the harder hitting vibe and this progression feels so natural and understandable. Time can be a good healer but it can also cut deeper, and The Hotelier captures that brilliantly here.
From there ‘In Framing’ is perhaps the closest link to the previous album, with its very skate punk beat and bouncy bass line. You’ve then got the unintentionally life affirming ‘Housebroken’ and the audible exhale of emotion in ‘Dendron’. At nine tracks, and a little over 37 minutes, you’d be forgiven for initially expecting a few more songs here, but by the time the album plays out it’s definitely left a mark.
Over the last few years many have found solace with Dan Campbell’s heart-on-the-sleeve approach in The Wonder Years, and there is no reason why 2014 can’t belong to Christian Holden in the same way. He’s an icon for all those who just want to let out a huge scream, battle their way through their emotions and make a grab at the meaning of life.
‘Home, Like Noplace Is There’ is angry, resentful, and cathartic emo-rock at it’s very best, and you need this in your life.
TOM BECK