ALBUM REVIEW: Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate - Nostalgia For Infinity

HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT'S ADEQUATE (England)
"Nostalgia For Infinity"
(Glass Castle Recordings)
Release date: May 6th 2020
Genre: Progressive rock, electronic rock, experimental rock, neo-progressive rock

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HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT'S ADEQUATE provided one of the most memorable releases that were featured on SUBTERRANEAN NOISE last year, when they launched the three track single/EP "Ark". It consisted of two original tracks that served as teasers to their upcoming album, plus a curious, but interesting take on the old Irish traditional folk song "She Moved Through the Fair".

These three tracks were this writer's very first introduction to these Londoners and their music. Every song has its own colors, textures and expression, which in turn just proved to this new listener that HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT'S ADEQUATE are not a band that dwell within the comforts of just one genre. Having enjoyed progressive rock for a number of years already, this new aquaintance very soon turned into a dear friend that I looked forward to meeting again.

You can read the "Ark" review here.

In essence, HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT'S ADEQUATE are a duo that consists of multi-instrumentalists and producers Malcolm Galloway and Mark Gatland, with occasional appearances from Kathryn Thomas on vocals and flute. Since their full length debut "Invisible" came out in early 2012, the band's discography now counts four albums and two singles, and the fifth full length "Nostalgia For Infinity" is due for release in early May.

The album's nine minute opener bears the title "Century Rain", the first of seven tracks on the album that are inspired by sci-fi novelist Alistair Reynolds. It starts off rather delicately with soaring keyboards and a flute, as is not really uncommon in progressive rock, and develops from just a simple electric piano melody into a track that is loaded with a nineties' era Jethro Tull feel. Galloway's voice is perhaps not the band's strongest feature, but he very often reminds me of Ian Anderson and his vocal delivery. As with Anderson, Galloway's vocals sometimes sound a bit insecure and hesitating, especially on the louder parts, but the genius is that it fits!

Production- and soundwise I am tempted to mention The Flower Kings as a reference. No polished production, but an organic and natural sound that makes it seem like you're standing in the middle of the room where the band is playing. Even expressionwise as well, but in my ears HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT'S ADEQUATE lean more towards the poppier side of prog than the Swedes.

"Twin Earth" is another track that continues in the same musical, as well as thematical direction as "Century Rain". Both tracks are based around the "Century Rain" novel by the aforementioned Alistair Reynolds, which to put it short is (as explained by the band) "a story about saving mysterious copies of the world, the underlying theme is our ability to dehumanise each other despite second chances to avoid the mistakes of history". A fascinating concept, to say the least!

"Ark" is, as mentioned earlier, the single cut that was presented back in September last year. A close to twelve minute long instrumental about the Ark Royal, a British aircraft carrier that played a significant role in the defeat of the Nazis in the Second World War.

Another interesting feature about this British duo, is their ability to create equally interesting storylines for their lyrics. "Nanobotoma" tells the story about a leukemia-ridden scientist who creates medical self-replicating nanobots. They are supposed to identify and destroy cancer cells, but the protagonist loses control of them, and they soon develop into a mechanical cancer instead. Musically it does not stray too far from the well-trodden path that the album's initial two tracks created, as it at times operates within a neo-progressive landscape.

After four tracks that showcase the organic sound of HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT'S ADEQUATE it is time for something a bit different. "Chasing Neon" was already the B-side for their "Ark" single, so this is by no means an unfamiliar track, but in an album setting it becomes an even bigger contrast than what was the case on the single.
The track is constructed around an arpeggiated riff, with a variety of background sounds and textures. A curious instrumental with a bit of a retro science fiction feel.

The latter half of the album largely consists of the "Redemption Ark Suite", a five part set of songs that are based on Reynolds' Revelation Space novels. "Glitterband" and the album's title track bookend the suite, and the middle three are instrumentals.
As if "Chasing Neon" was a turning point on the album, "Glitterband" features more electronic elements and rhythm programming than the first four tracks. Personally I prefer the band's music when it is not as dominated by electronics as it is on these tracks, though I recognise what it adds to the story that they tell.
The title track takes the band back to where I feel they sound best, and concludes the almost 22 minute long suite.

"Voyager" is another instrumental, a calm piece of music that winds the album down as it nears conclusion, and "Sixth Extinction" with its heavier guitars and fast rhythms is the exact opposite that rounds off "Nostalgia For Infinity".

It should be well known for any HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT'S ADEQUATE listener that this band is a lot about sonic exploration, textural music and variation. Their fifth album is no exception, and if you like the sound of The Flower Kings, the energy of 90's Jethro Tull and maybe even a bit of electronic experimentations...well, you get the idea.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Tracklist:
1. Century Rain*
2. Twin Earth
3. Ark
4)  Nanobotoma
5)  Chasing Neon*

Redemption Ark Suite
6)  Glitterband
7)  Conjoiners
8)  Scorpio
9)  Inhibitors
10) Nostalgia For Infinity

11) Voyager
12) Sixth Extinction

*Added to the Subterranean Noise - 2020 playlist on Spotify.

LINE UP:
Malcolm Galloway - vocals, guitar, keyboards/synths and programming
Mark Gatland - bass guitar, additional guitars, keyboards/synths and  Chapman Stick.
Kathryn Thomas - flute, vocals