RIFTROCK REVIEWS

Honeyhander

Woolly Mannerisms
Posted by David Barker
10/20

Honeyhander is noisy yet vibrant. Their music is full of weird electronic bleeping, vociferous landscapes, calculated rhythms, and non-conventional songwriting. Somehow, though, the band pulls it off—Woolly Mannerisms is a meticulous voyage into erratic post-punk

Though the EP is just shy of sixteen minutes, Honeyhander is still capable of making an impact. The artsy Rhode Island act expand on the modernized version of new wave, making it more cacophonous and sonically interesting. “Wear Out Your Muscles Mary” makes use of a textured background before the sassy vocals kick in over the rest of the noise. “Professional Poise” is synthy and dancy, with yet again, an abundance of noise—but, it’s completely bearable and tasteful. “Our Connoisseurs are Feeders” is probably the most accessible of the disc, as the guitar line really provides the only hook. The vocals are hardly discernible, though. “Porcelain Veneers” has a solid, hand-clappish drum beat and lots of feedback; “Hiding Small Children in Cabinets” ends the record as an electro-pop number.

Yeah, Honeyhander is difficult to pin down in words, and Woolly Mannerisms tends to run together, losing you as to what song you’re in. Simultaneously, it’s enjoyable and refreshing—it doesn’t wear thin, or at least it hasn’t yet.