One of the UK’s best progressive rock bands, Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate is making an early appearance in 2025, with their 8th album, The Uncertainty Principle! The album will be released on March 4, 2025.
The new album explores the idea of uncertainty. Malcolm Galloway; easily one of the most intelligent musicians in modern UK progressive rock, with academic degrees in the medical sciences and a vast knowledge of physics; says about the core importance of The Uncertainty Principle, “Certainty is, on the whole, comfortable, but often misleading and dangerous. Until the development of quantum physics, science seemed to provide an ever more precise description of our world. With better equipment, our understanding increased. The closer we looked, the more certain we could be of the reality underlying our observations”. Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate’s music is always a welcome addition to a world music scene which often ignores true science or physics. They know the perfect way to balance cerebral lyrics and ideas with dynamic music.
Malcolm Galloway, who wrote the lyrics, plays lead guitar, synths, and completed the album mastering; along with Mark Gatland, who plays bass guitar, was the vocal engineer, and played additional guitars and synths, are the musicians that make Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate. Mark is also the album’s co-producer.
Malcolm goes on to say that the foundation of The Uncertainty Principle lies in the scientific history of study behind physical certainty. Malcolm states, “Heisenberg’s 1927 uncertainty principle overturned the perception, (of scientific certainty). He showed that for the smallest objects we can detect, increasing the knowledge of one aspect of the particle decreases our knowledge of another aspect. This was most famously demonstrated for position and momentum. Although the uncertainty principle was discovered in relation to quite technical aspects relating to measurements of subatomic particles, I think it was part of an uncertainty revolution in human thought. We fundamentally cannot be certain about some aspects of the world around us. As physicists were overturning our assumptions about the nature of matter, Kurt Gödel showed in 1931 that any system of mathematics must have limitations. Psychology showed that our memories and self-perceptions can be wildly inaccurate. And the history of the 20th century is a testament to the dangers of trusting those who are blinded by certainty”.
Malcolm continues to explain the core concept and subject of the album, “Several historical events that combine quantum physics and inter-personal uncertainty are explored in the album. Two of these relate to Werner Heisenberg, the pioneer of the uncertainty principle, and a leader of the German nuclear program. One focuses on his disputed conversation during the Second World War with his former mentor Niels Bohr. The second relates to Moe Berg, the American spy and former professional baseball player, who was sent to attend a lecture by Heisenberg, at which he was supposed to decide whether to assassinate him”.
Malcolm continues, “Although quantum theory might seem obscure, academic, and at times almost ridiculous, it nevertheless provides some the most accurate predictions of experiments ever found in science. Many of the technologies which we take for granted are dependent on quantum physics. Two of the songs on this album relate to nuclear weapons, one from the perspective of a strategic bombing planner facing uncertainty about his actions. The other relating to the historical incident in which one man saying “no” may have prevented nuclear Armageddon”.
Yes, I’m with you reader…ready to dig into this album:
The album begins, as science did with the acceptance of “Certainty”, in the ways we measure scientific research and the world. However, as Malcolm stated before, things were about to change, in the early 20th Century. Keyboards and synths open the first track with deep, dark emotion, as Malcolm sings, “We used to believe. In cause and effect. We used to believe…in certainty. The comfort reality stopped. Complete and predicted”. Malcolm has one of the better male vocals in the world of UK progressive rock. Unfortunately he has not been given enough credit for this or the amazing album and song writing he has done over the years. His voice takes you into that emotional tumult of concern and even fear, of what was once thought to be certain; and beyond, into the world of the unknown. The synth and electric guitar soloing make this one of the best songs on the album. A fantastic opener, which, will help fans and new listeners understand the draw for this powerful music. Malcolm’s angry, “wake – up” vocals, in the middle of the song, after such quiet synth playing shakes the listener to attention, “And we had to deal with the world as it is. To look past the dissolving foundations, and see the capricious dance between the waves. The joy and terrifying exposure of indeterminacy of uncertainty!” I told you their albums were great. Over 7 minutes of music and lyrical perfection.
“Everything Changed”, has a bold, Rush, or at times, even Pearl Jam rock guitar sound to it. Completely different, indeed. Hammond organ sounds blended well with heavy bass, drums and electric guitar, fill the soundscape. Malcolm sings, amidst the electric guitar soloing, “The more we precisely know x. The less well we know y”. Great keyboards and synths rise amidst the hurdy gurdy sound of the guitars. Yes, everything has changed, including the sound of this band.
This is a more guitar – driven album than their last few albums. The keyboards do always play an important part in all of their music, but the guitar leads on this one. “Ultraviolet Catastrophe”, is a wonderful, close to 3 minute instrumental track that I think both Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart would have loved to play.
“Copenhagen”, opens slow, with deep sounding bass and light electric keys with electric guitar. Malcolm sings, “A disputed conversation between old friends. A handful of words. Well, times have changed. Who are you? I used to think I knew you. My friend, we unlocked the world together. Do you understand what you’ve said to me? Who are you?” Copenhagen is the place of the meeting between these two powerful scientific minds and friends, Niels Bohr and his former student Werner Heisenberg, in September of 1941. Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate add spot on music to this story as Malcolm delivers the lyrics. I like the new sound, immensely!
If you follow this band as much as I do, you will enjoy their song titles, too. “Cause and Effect (But Not Necessarily in that Order)”, is a perfect example. They also love to include instrumental tracks within their albums, in order to jam, and I am sure to have some fun, in between, the deep lyrics and themes of their albums. Such is this magnificent journey of keyboards, Hammond-sounds, bass, piano, synths, percussion, and drums. Sit back and enjoy this one.
The title track, “The Uncertainty Principle”, is the longest and best track on the album, at just under 9 minutes. It opens with mysterious and distant flute from Kathryn Thomas. Taking me right back to the power of Nostalgia for Infinity. The power of the electric guitar and drums overtake the flute and fill the soundscape with powerful sounds. The song tries to recreate the very deep inner conversation within, The United States Office of Strategic Services agent Moe Berg, who was sent to assassinate Werner Heisenberg; if he reveled that the Nazis were close to creating an atom bomb. Absolutely riveting intrigue and an inspiration to write music to capture this epic story. The flute re-asserts itself, along with Gilmour-like electric guitar. Simply amazing. Malcolm’s lyrics and vocals tell the story well, and with deep emotion, “Well, this is a strange dinner party. Me with my pistol and cyanide capsule. In the inside pocket of my dinner jacket. You so polite and unreadable. I hunted you through Italy, through Germany, to a Zurich lecture hall”. Absolutely brilliant music and lyrics to capture this epic event in history. One of the band’s best songs, ever.
“Inside the Atom”, is another wonderful instrumental. This time it opens with cool keys and synth progressions. Electric guitar and bass are added along with drums, as the soundscape expands. Imagine a camera slowly exploring the inner workings of the atom. I think this was the bands direction and destination for this song.
The Think Tank”, is a brutal look into the concept of “Game Theory”, that was played for many decades before and after World War II. The subject of the games was, how can a nation conduct nuclear war, without destroying the entire world? Unfortunately both sides, East and West “played” these games and calculated these scenarios, maybe because, above all, our species loves power. And power over the planet was the goal of Hitler and every dictator, and many a leader before and after him. The idea of “First Strike”. How could one or the other side, strike with enough power to disable the other side enough, to prevent retaliation. These are the times Malcolm, Mark, you and I grew up in. While we were contemplating what to watch on TV, they were contemplating who would…deserve to live, or die. This song captures that feeling well. The ‘think tanks” were the government, education, military and private military contractor groups engaging in these discussions and strategic game playing scenarios. They all exist today, throughout the world.
“One Word That Means the World (Arkhipov)”, is the conversation we hope all leaders and soldiers will have internally. Whether or not to carry out orders, once given, from someone with a position of authority, above theirs. Vasily Aleksandrovich Arkhipov was the famous Soviet submarine officer who prevented the launching of a nuclear torpedo against American ships during Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962. He said, “No!” And simultaneously may have saved the world. The music on this song is exceptional, and brings out the power of this sacrificial moment, now neglected by recent history. It should be celebrated as Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate does within this song.
“Between Two Worlds”, is the culmination of the moral lesson, learned from this dynamic and powerful lyrical album. Which side will prevail, peace or war? Malcolm warmly lays out the predicament we all endure daily, set to soft piano. Malcolm sings, “Cold in the machine. Between two worlds. Double exposure on a future screen. Between two worlds. I’m waiting to see, which one I’ll be. It might find a home, somewhere to grow. Between two worlds. Waiting between to worlds, waiting to hear the word. For the observation that crashes the wave”. Do we agree to live with uncertainty, or keep trying to enforce certainty by our actions? This seems to be the dilemma between the two worlds. One of the best songs of the year. Thank you for this wonderful song, which also may have some personal reflections from Malcolm’s life, as well.
“Living With Uncertainty”, is the epic closer to the album. It opens with soft played electric guitar and soft drums. Ethan Galloway joins Malcolm to sing this track, with warmth and sincerity. They sing, “I wasn’t sure, and I thought that had to be a problem. So I wrapped myself in knots. And more and more protection. The amour weighed me down. The future spoiled now. If we could learn to live with uncertainty. We can learn to cope with reality. If we can look at ourselves with an open mind. And say, might I be wrong?” We, both East and West, armed ourselves to the teeth with weapons of destruction, instead of building infrastructures to assist human development and make the world a safer and better place for all. We allowed this to happen, during our lifetimes. We voted for it, against our natural instincts and interests. Driven by fear of the other. By fear of uncertainty. And this historic pattern seems to be constantly repeating itself, and returning within the present we remain.
Wow, what a way to open 2025, for Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate. The Uncertainty Principle, is one of the best albums in their catalog. It is also one of the best albums of 2025, so far! These are stories we want and need to explore. Do we really need certainty? And at what price do we pay to try to achieve it, especially when it seems unachievable? Everything you could want in a story and an album. Intrigue, moral dilemmas, and music that helps you mentally digest the lyrics and ideas. Dynamic, and new music that reaches out to us to learn from our experiences and make changes, before it is too late, or we repeat another cycle.
Please give Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate’s The Uncertainty Principle, a listen. I am sure you will want a copy of this to remember and listen to, far into the future.
Album Track List:
- Certainty – 7:01
- Everything Changed – 4:09
- The Ultraviolet Catastrophe – 2:56
- Copenhagen – 5:16
- Cause and Effect (But Not Necessarily in that Order) – 5:58
- The Uncertainty Principle – 8:44
- Inside the Atom – 6:54
- The Think Tank – 3:58
- One Word That Means the World (Arkhipov) – 4:22
- Between Two Worlds – 4:20
- Living With Uncertainty – 3:33
The Uncertainty Principle was produced by Malcolm Galloway and Mark Gatland and Kathryn Thomas. Kathryn Thomas also plays flute on track 6, and sings backing vocals on track 11. She co-producer track 10. Ethan Galloway sings vocals on track 11. Booklet notes by Malcolm Galloway. The Uncertainty Principle’s music was written by Malcolm Galloway and Mark Gatland. Artwork by Malcolm Galloway and Mark Gatland, using Nightcafe and DALLE-3 (AI art), photography and Photoshop.
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://hatsoffgentlemen.com/
https://hatsoffgentlemen.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/itsadequate/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0oomA1zS33GYRNuiuevzAw