Artist: Hands
Album: Give Me Rest
Release Date: July 5, 2011
Label: Facedown Records

Let me start off by saying that I am a huge fan of Hands. So, I was certainly looking forward to Give Me Rest. That being said, however, I'm also the guy that lets hype devalue almost anything I'm interested in. Though I was prepared for this album to let me down, I am happy to say: I.Was.Wrong. I don't think I can overstate how good this album is. Right there, from track one all the way to the last track, it simply delivers. Every track is beautifully delivered in fact, and I will highlight some of my favorite tracks, because no matter what I say, I'll be selling it short.

First up is the opener of Give Me Rest, titled "I Will." "I Will" sets the tone so that you know exactly what kind of musicianship and honesty you're getting. The song starts off with a sort of boom-bap-boom-boom-bap drum beat, that continues as Shane screams "Rise, from the quiet, I will rise," in the distance. The first few lines give me goosebumps from the honesty. "Can you feel the anger in my heart? I can't believe this is me. I built my house on shaking ground, and lit a match to watch it burn." Track two, "Water," starts with the familiar heavy Hands sound that goes into one of the all-time best grooves, combined with beautifully sung lyrics. Even now, I'm having trouble finding the adjectives to perfectly illustrate the way it makes me feel.

Now, to my personal favorite, the fourth track, "The Helix." The desperation in this track is heavy. It speaks to those doubts that a Christian can struggle with within our own mind. It embodies the very same thoughts I personally have dealt with. For me, it's a song you pop on when down. Plug in your headphones and close your eyes while this song brings your heart, mind, and spirit back to God. "Here I Am" is the following song. The track has a heavy chugging bass sound, but is in no way heavy. It's simple, and quite honestly, beautiful.

I'll end with the very touching last song on Give Me Rest, which is the title track. It feels to me like this is the song where Shane Ochsner (vocalist) "gets it." Meaning, after all of the highs and lows of the rest of the album, this is where Shane remembers who God is to him, and, subsequently gets the rest he's been seeking. With lyrics such as, "Send a smile to my daughter. Tell her everything is fine," it's hard not to get choked up as a parent myself. I love how much emotion is conveyed when Shane asks the question "Is my name in there?" You can feel his eager anticipation of the answer. Very moving stuff.

If you have not given Give Me Rest a try, I implore you to do so. Don't assume to know what is contained within. Whether you think you'll love it or hate it, you'll be blown away. When I first heard it, the first thing that came to my mind that aptly described it was "instant classic."

Rating: 10/10

Reviewed by Gary Peterson

Tracklisting:

1. I Will
2. Water
3. Cube
4. The Helix
5. Here I Am
6. Jovian
7. Northern Lights
8. 2005
9. Restart
10. Give Me Rest

(Buy Here)

The new Hands album is being met with early critical acclaim, and now you can pre-order your copy! Give Me Rest is now available in various bundles for pre-order, including limited edition vinyl which comes with a code for a free digital download of the album. Check out all the different packages available: http://facedown.merchnow.com/catalogs/hands

Hands is set to release their follow-up album to 2009's Creator this summer. The new album Give Me Rest promises to be a remarkable leap in song writing and profundity for the band. Vocalist and guitarist Shane Ochsner had some things to say about what it was like writing and recording this time around.