Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate – Parallel Lives

One of my favorite UK bands is back…already! Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate, have completed a new album, “Parallel Lines,” which will be released between August 25, and September 4^th, of this year. It is the band’s ninth album, for a very wonderful and extensive discography.

“Parallel Lines,” is a mixture of vocal and instrumental tracks, combining elements of progressive/alt/art-rock, electronic, and contemporary classical music. The music was written by Malcolm Galloway, Mark Gatland, and also Kathryn Thomas (track 3). Malcolm Galloway, is the band’s chief lyricist, lead guitarist, synth player, album mixer and master; and the album producer. While Mark Gatland, Malcolm’s best friend, and the band’s bass guitar player, is also a vocal engineer, and also plays additional guitars and synths. Mark is also the co-producer of the album. Kathryn Thomas, plays flute, bass flute, piccolo, and sings vocals.

The band posted these statements, from Malcolm Galloway, to Bandcamp regarding the new album, “About a year and a half ago, around the time we were developing the tracks that became this album, I found out that I have a rare, incurable, progressive, neurodegenerative retinal disease that is causing progressive visual loss and distortion. I’ve previously had other medical problems that had led to me have to give up my previous career, and I had thought I’d found a way of coping with those while still feeling able to keep creatively active.
Although I haven’t been consciously worrying about my eyes, (possibly emotionally in denial), this diagnosis coincided with me deteriorating mentally in other ways. I am aware that other people have worse problems, and am not wanting to make a fuss, but it knocked my sense of my identity and future. Whether deliberately or not, this has fed into the music on this album.”

All tracks written and performed by Malcolm Galloway and Mark Gatland, with Kathryn Thomas (flute, bass flute, piccolo track 3; vocals track 6; flute track 7). Track 3 by Malcolm Galloway, Mark Gatland, Kathryn Thomas.

The opening album track, “My Blistering Mind,” has a very wild music video to support the first single and hit off the album. I am not sure how to take the video and song. I know that Malcolm Galloway, the lead singer is brilliant, and at the same time is fighting many medical challenges. So, I am taking this video and the song, at face value, to be reflective of what that feels like; and what he is living through daily. I think he creates this art to share with others; in order to relate to the similar medical challenges that many people, the world over, face daily. Whatever the inspiration, it is sad to see. To know what a good friend and person, like Malcolm is experiencing, it is difficult to watch. I know he does not welcome the pity or the attention, but as someone with empathy, you cannot help feel for someone so brilliant and creative. He is still trying to fight through these barriers to make music and art that will entertain an inspire others. I respect him and appreciate everything he creates, because I can sense that he is making the best possible art he can, regardless of his circumstances and health challenges. We should all be as diligent, perceptive, and demanding of our potential.

“The Mandatory,” is a song, as Malcolm Galloway says, that is “sung from the perspective of an authority figure informing someone that they are obliged to play a role that they haven’t chosen, and that they are supposed to at least pretend that they are grateful. In an exaggerated way, via the influence of a Philip K Dick short story, it is about social masking.” The people he refers to wear “masks,” or act in certain ways to disguise their true nature. The song is full of great lyrics, Malcolm’s vocals, Mark’s bass, and some very interesting keyboards.

“Never Really Felt Like Home,” is a wonderful instrumental song full of soft keyboards, guitar and drums. Kathryn Thomas’ moaning bass flute leads the way, as more instruments join the soundscape. It has a balanced sound of melancholy, with moments of brightness, when Kathryn plays the brighter flute parts and Mark and Malcolm join in on guitar.

“Smile, Smile, Smile,” according to Malcolm, “was inspired by Philip K Dick’s novel, “Flow My Tears the Policeman Said,” published in 1974. In the novel, the protagonist (Jason Taverner) wakes up in a world where he is no longer one of the most famous people on the planet. He goes from being a highly privileged person in a police-state, to an undocumented person, and therefore at constant risk of being sent to a forced labor camp.” A very pertinent song and subject here in the USA. These things are actually happening here daily, lately. It is a very difficult to live through, especially when you see friends and relatives confront these realities. We as Americans never thought we would ever confront these issues and now, we know, nowhere is safe.

“Intermission,” is another wonderful piano instrumental, complete with great bass from Mark, and drumming with symbols. A nice jazzy interlude for this new album.

“Parallel Lives,” according to Malcolm is “about the way we tend to drift apart, whether on an individual or societal level, without either side having deliberately decided to do that. Kathryn joins Malcolm on vocals for this track.” It is a wonderful love song, where a couple is trying to deliberately rebuild the strength of the foundation, upon which the relationship was built. They finally realize the social distance that has intervened between them, with their individual lifestyles and interests, and are resolute in hoping to rebuild the bonds of the past.

“Eversion,” is “inspired by the Alastair Reynolds novel, which also explores issues of masking and identity. A surgeon finds himself repeatedly living through similar experiences in different historical periods.” Beautiful piano, soft drums and cymbals fill this jazzy song full of emotion and Malcolm’s vocals and lyrics. The keyboards and guitars are absolutely innovative and different from what you hear regularly from modern progressive rock. Malcolm had to leave his vocation as a surgeon because of the medical difficulties he fights daily. The electric guitar and Mark’s bass playing, along with the piano melody are excellent.

“Pretty Blue Fox,” is an instrumental named after a game-playing group in Philip K Dick’s 1963 novel, “The Game Players of Titan.” It is full of wonderful waves of synths and innovative keyboards. Close to six minutes of wonderful whirling keyboard rhythms and keys, filled with emotions.

“Just Another Thing,” “is the one song on the album that was specifically inspired by Malcolm’s recent diagnosis, and it is about outwardly being someone who just copes with whatever life flings at them, but not feeling how you seem.” The music on the song is straight ahead rock n roll. Malcolm’s vocals will keep you trying to understand what he is singing as he whips out the lyrics, rapid fire. HOGIA rap, you might call it.

“Dropping The Mask,” is an instrumental song with a good beat set by drums and keyboards. The bass playing is exceptional. But it is the keyboards and synths that make this song magic.

On, “Just Hold On (Parts 1 & 2),” Malcolm explains, “After a fair bit of earlier angst, the album ends with a song intended to be more hopeful. Originally the first section of the song was written as a classical piece for choir, but it gradually evolved into the introduction to “Just Hold On.” As the choir fades away, there is a guitar solo, and later the vocals and rest of the instruments join in. The song is intended to represent someone encouraging someone else, or perhaps themselves, that it’s not too late to try to embrace life. Many people don’t find life easy, many struggles are invisible, and sometimes just managing to hold on is an achievement worth celebrating.” Yes, indeed. Over nine minutes of keyboard and synthesizer magic, mixed with some deep electric guitar solos and bass magnificence, released from the bottle. Never give up! Keep going and doing the best you can with what you have or are given. Yes, “Just Hold On,” it’s not too late.” Never is…

“My Blistering Mind (Radio Edit),” is a shorter, maybe faster, version of the original album opener.

“The Mandatory Prize (Radio Edit),” is also a shorter version of the second song on the album.

With Kathryn Thomas rejoining the band to bring that wonderful flute playing and her vocals, Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate’s “Parallel Lives,” will join its predecessors as another intricate masterpiece created by this under-appreciated band. They are masters of a modern sound for progressive rock that never seems to be recognized as such, by the leaders in the genre. They are more than Adequate. After years of creating extraordinary music and “ploughing the fields,” for new sounds for progressive rock, maybe this, will be the year that the Prog Community will finally recognize the creative work Malcolm and Mark have been generously contributing to the modern sound of progressive rock. I hope so. They certainly deserve it. The “Parallel Lives,” that HOGIA has been sharing with the modern progressive rock genre may find a way to reconcile their mutual appreciation this year and raise this band to the platform they deserve. As Malcolm sings, “Just Hold On,” it is never too late.”

Album Track List:

My Blistering Mind – 3:37
The Mandatory – 4:18
Never Really Felt Like Home – 4:26
Smile, Smile, Smile – 4:37
Intermission – 2:40
Parallel Lives – 3:43
Eversion – 7:00
Pretty Blue Fox – 5:52
Just Another Thing – 4:21
Dropping The Mask – 3:43
Just Hold On (Parts 1 & 2) – 9:09
My Blistering Mind (Radio Edit) – 3:42
The Mandatory Prize (Radio Edit) – 4:18

Booklet notes by Malcolm Galloway. Booklet design Malcolm Galloway and Mark Gatland. Photography by Mark Gatland. Artwork by Malcolm Galloway/Mark Gatland.

Band Website and Social Media Links:

https://hatsoffgentlemen.com