Review | Herin – Hiding In Plain Sight

The Laser's Edge / Sonic Rendezvous

In the realm of progressive rock, few albums have dared to venture into the depths of personal tragedy with such raw honesty and musical sophistication as the latest offering of Herin called `Hiding in Plain Sight’. The intense concept sprouting from the brain of Tiles’ mastermind guitar player Chris Herin touches the intense depths of bystanders witnessing the demise of their beloved ones suffering from the battering decline of spirit being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or Dementia. 

From the moment of diagnose family and friends are placed unwillingly in the front seat of an emotional ride that doesn’t let off. The diagnose is the initiation of your farewell, the portal to times of insecurity, emotions and outbursts of suffering. You feel helpless, need help and try to help without one day of scaling back emotionally. 

Chris’ ambitious work serves as a poignant sonic chronicle of the artist’s decade-long journey alongside his father’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

A MASTERFUL BLEND OF PROG AND ART ROCK

Chris Herin’s masterful blend of prog and art rock influences creates a rich tapestry of intense sound that mirrors the complex emotions of his experience. The album’s musical landscape shifts seamlessly from lush and textured orchestral arrangements to intricate polyrhythmic passages, punctuated by cinematic soundscapes and virtuosic guitar work.

The album opens with the haunting jazz-infused track ,,Warning Signs”, featuring Michael Sadler’s commanding vocals. This initial piece sets the stage for a journey into experimental progressive rock territory. The composition weaves together intricate guitar themes and polyrhythmic drum patterns, seamlessly intertwined with a pulsating bass line, creating a complex musical tapestry.

As the track progresses, reverberating guitar licks underpin a soaring solo, driving the music forward and intensifying the emotional impact. This musical build-up culminates in the gut-wrenching phrase “…where the end begins”, delivered with raw intensity. Sadler’s deep, resonant vocals perfectly capture the sense of impending loss and gradual farewell that permeates the album’s theme.

JETHRO TULL

The stirring ,,The Darkest Hour” draws influences from Tull with its flute atop the reverting low bass line propelling the song. The song reunites classic Jethro Tull members after an absence of 12 years, laying down boggling prog with polyrhythmic movements. There’s an intimacy within the song’s arrangement though it presses with roaring gloom and progressive interaction fusing neo-prog with middle eastern themes and tribal (ish) drum patterns. 

,,Living in the Night” showcases sophisticated musical palette of Herin through its intricate string arrangements and lush instrumentation. The track weaves together delicate interplay and captivating melodies, creating a seamless blend of classical influences and contemporary prog-rock sensibilities. John O’Hara’s vocals resonate with profound emotional depth, perfectly complementing the poignant lyrics. A flute line gracefully counters the vocal melody, supported by elegant string sections, resulting in a truly enchanting musical tapestry. 

PETER FRAMPTON

In contrast, ,,The Heart of You” explores a different musical territory, skillfully blending progressive and art-rock elements with unexpected touches of country and western influences. The song’s structure alternates between these diverse styles, featuring harmonious vocal arrangements in the chorus and an acoustic guitar-driven melody that recurs throughout. The vocal “… I carry the heart of you” serves as an emotional anchor, reflecting Chris Herin’s deep connection to his family roots and heritage. Peter Frampton delivers a standout vocal performance, infusing the track with genuine sentiment and heartfelt expression. 

It works into the riff driven ,,Secret Adversary” where Herin displays his Rush influenced guitar work in the song’s structured mid 80s prog strut while blending with Yes reminiscent vocal melodies and tone. Check out the harmonized choir and Kim Mitchell’s vocal interaction midway! The song blends all the best of prog with a modern-day modulation that is brought to life in the clean and transparent mix. Its guitar solo is phenomenal and hits the right notes immersing the listener in its message.

Opened with piano you are in for a treat on the intense ,,A Wrinkle in Time” elevating with growling low bass melodies deployed atop rolling drum patterns and wonderful Lifeson-like guitar exercises. Gradually losing its urge into a cinematic middle that features McStine’s disarming vocals and a weeping solo, before reverting to its urging tumult with piercing guitars and Chown’s adventurous bass playing building into a glorious, toned breakdown full of musical accolades. 

EMOTIONS ON DIFFERENT LEVELS

Crash cymbal rides on the ukulele strum pulling forward over the slow droning bass in ,,Second Ending”, revealing Herin’s keen creative way of conveying emotions on different levels. There’s a theme dancing in the center of the song while the violin evokes a melancholic note when the song powers up for its bitter lyrical prose.  Strings are meandering in the lush atmosphere with the theme transcending into epic cinematic texture, underlining the song’s strong prose. It fades towards the dramatic facet of Alzheimer’s emphasized by the song-title of the following ,,Safe House (isolation)”, representing the pain and agony of leaving behind a loved one and being side-lined. 

The wail of its weeping violin ‘floating’ over the raining piano strokes, its deep emotive vocals, evoking spine-chilling emotions. The mellotron adds to the Floydian luster of poignant disarray the track radiates. ,,Smoke and Mirrors, over distant shores…”, Tim Bowness croons with an emotional discharge that makes you shiver, concluding the song’s wrecking drama with the closing line “… Safe inside behind the darkened door” sending an array of emotions into your spine. The resonance of musical interplay emphasizing the lyrics deep discharge are benchmark for the album’s binding content.

MEMORIES

Guitars sliding into action and meander into acoustic strumming themes on ,,Slow to Crumble”, that is held up by gruff vocals and psychedelic vocal harmonies. The guitar lick in the body of the song is raw and tedious, morphing with its reverb. Bass thunders underneath with the drum patterns lush and subtle. Its psychedelic hook biased by the kaleidoscopic synth and Moog organ suddenly appearing, while the vocals intensify in frantic fashion.

,,Wilderness Years” feels like a juxtaposition of the title and its sentiment. Guitars are lush, bass ploughing in the emotional register with colorful licks and melodies, the song wells with emotional vocals and ebbing emotions. The chorus is impressive, suddenly popping into the spotlight with dramatic vocal delivery transitioning the sudden wild state of mind of those affected by the disease. The Supertramp saxophone adds to the flavour and the song builds momentum to unload another powerful chorus, outlined by great guitar theme and hook, with the sax taking over once more as the vocal harmonies are stacked to exude its melodic power. 

The album is closed by the impressive ,,White Dandelions” in near-poetic evergreen fervor. Piano, bass, trumpet and lush jazzy drums make the song radiate appeal. There’s a damp atmospheric feeling that resonates into your veins and heart, displaying Chris’ memories of his father’s musical preference. As the trumpets call out louder, the song starts to kick up more dust with an authentic fusion of rock and evergreen croon that is absolutely gorgeous. The slow waltzing pace is fused into the carcass of its 50s ‘smoky’ tenure and makes the song hold up with impressive flare.

HERIN – THE CONCLUSION

The production team behind `Hiding in Plain Sight’ is stellar. Herin again collaborated with renowned producer Terry Brown, whose expertise has shaped the sound of prog rock legends like Herin’s core influencing prog headquarter Rush. The sonic depth is enhanced by the mastering skills of Grammy award-winning engineer Peter Moore, resulting in a powerful and detailed auditory experience. Adding a visual dimension to the album’s emotional narrative is the whimsical and engaging artwork by artist Hugh Syme. 

`Hiding in Plain Sight’ transcends the boundaries of a typical solo project, emerging as a collaborative tour de force. With nearly 30 talented musicians contributing their skills, Herin crafts a deeply resonant narrative that weaves together musical brilliance and heartfelt storytelling. This album is not merely a showcase of technical prowess; it stands as a moving tribute to the complexities of love, loss, and resilience in the face of adversity. As listeners embark on this profound auditory journey, they will find themselves not only captivated by the intricate rich soundscapes but also touched by the theme that echoes throughout Herin’s poignant exploration of his experience.

Note: a portion of this album’s proceeds will be donated to Alzheimer’s charities.

Release date: 1 November 2024