Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate - 2023 - The Light Of Ancient Mistakes

(67:03; Glass Castle Recordings)

Track list:
1. Sold the Peace 4:15
2. The Light of Ancient Mistakes 6:40
3. Avrana Kern Is Made of Ants 3:29
4. The Anxiety Machine Part 1 2:10
5. Sixteen Hugless Years 3:52
6. The Requisitioner and the Wonder 6:36
7. The Glamour Boys 4:37
8. Gothi and Gethli 3:37
9. imtiredandeverythinghurts 2:43
10. The Anxiety Machine Part 2 2:48
11. Walking to Aldebaran 8:55
12. Goodbye Cassini 4:40
13. The Anxiety Machine Part 3 1:41
14. The Man Who Japed 5:10
15. Burn the World 5:50

Line-up:
Malcolm Galloway - vocals, guitars, keyboards, synthesizers, programming, percussion, drums
Mark Gatland - bass, guitars, keyboards, synthesizers, Chapman Stick, vocals, percussion, drums
Kathryn Thomas - flute


Prolusion.
UK band Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate has been a feature in the English progressive rock scene for a number of years by now, with their debut album appearing back in 2012 and with a steady stream of new material released in the following years. This is a band that appears to improve from one album to the next too, steadily developing their craft, and with their latest album that description is just as true as it was with their previous album. The name of the band's latest and seventh studio production is "The Light of Ancient Mistakes", and the album was released through their own label Glass Castle Recordings in the fall of 2023.

Analysis.
Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate has generally been described as being a fairly accessible band as far as progressive rock is concerned, often with references to neo-progressive rock, atmospheric laden progressive rock or similar descriptions attached to their different albums. While this is true to some extent also for this latest album of theirs, the main hallmark of this creation is variety and diversity. In addition to the album as a whole being appealing, compelling and very well made of course.

When I made a shorter mini-review of this album earlier this year, prior to the band kindly sending me a CD edition for a more detailed write-up, I believe I mentioned that this was a very good album and probably the best they have made so far. A closer inspection of this production doesn't make me deviate from that notion at all, but rather solidifies it. And adds a few additional dimensions to my perception about the variety at than.

Some of the more striking songs here explore landscapes with similar ingredients and similar moods and atmospheres as classic era Eloy. Compelling songs with strong and distinct atmospheres, with layered and rich keyboard arrangements that add a cosmic vibe to the proceedings being something of a defining feature. We also get a succession of short, instrumental creations with more of an ambient orientation, and here the cosmic tendencies are explored more in depth. Kind of like of the cosmic ambient excursions Hawkwind sometime made teamed up with Isao Tomita and Vangelis to pull in the best details from those three sources. We also get more playful and on one occasion also a funkier venture into the cosmic landscapes, with this segment of tunes coming across as material that should intrigue those with a fancy for a band such as Ozric Tentacles.

We do get a few trips into neo-progressive territories too of course, with songs that strike me as what Fish-era Marillion may have sounded like if they started out in 2023: Classic era neo-progressive rock with an updated sound and where modern instruments and technology have been applied. That we also get a token side step into a more gentle and atmospheric laden landscape of the kind fans of classic era Camel might find recognizable is also worth mentioning in this context I guess: While modern technology appears to have been used extensively throughout this album, this is a band able and willing to sound like it was 1975 again too if they so desire.

On a more general basis I found one recurring element in all of these songs to be one that enhanced the listener experience immensely, and that is the liberal use of subtle and careful instrument details. Most often used to slightly contrast or offset one or more dominant instrument motifs, and executed in a manner that instantly adds nerve and tension for the listener while also being fairly unobtrusive in the mix. One of those small details I suspect not all that many regular music fans will ever notice, but one that I as a writer and as someone that listen to vast amounts of music during a calendar year certainly appreciate.

Conclusion.
If you tend to enjoy the more accessible aspects of the progressive rock universe, and have a special appreciation for this variety of the form explored with care, depth and attention to detail, this album will be a splendid experience all the way through. Especially if you also enjoy a band that doesn't really stick to conventions and traditions all that much, but rather have a will, a desire and the talents required to do a bit of an update on familiar sounds, moods and orientations. In my book this is a high quality album with many moments of brilliance to enjoy, an inspired creation that merits attention and something of a required listen for those with a passion for progressive rock.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, October 2023

Links:
https://hatsoffgentlemen.com/