The Shaking Hands

The Shaking Hands

[3/5]



Though they call Gainesville, Florida, home, the Shaking Hands tip their musical hat toward California’s East Bay, particularly early Rancid. There’s a hefty hint of street punk, too, though the Hands have more melodic sense than most of the hollering football chants of that ilk. Their self-titled debut drips succinct, muscular pop diamonds in the punk rough. “A New Reason To Rise” boasts a hook-heavy chorus. “A Burning Ship Of Fools” sounds more desperate and hungry, like a band determined to fight for redemption, rights-or just for the sake of fighting. The band demonstrate a keen sense of dynamics, particularly with the stuttering guitars of “History Does What?” and the rolling bass and tumbling percussion of the Samiam-esque “God Willing.” Musically and lyrically, the Shaking Hands sound a call to arms, with rousing songs and defiant words. (KISS OF DEATH; kissofdeathrecords.com) Casey Boland