"A great tune, a good mix of rock, alternative and blues.The vocals are just killer. Just wow, I'm very impressed. Guitar - The guy's a good player, unorthodox interesting phrasing that kept my interest, he's a really good player. A really interesting piece of music. Something personal. Like the guitar was playing just for you. When the vocals came in it just blew me away. Wow. That's all I can say. Wow." Doc Bones / Mat Anderson, New Music Saturday (Canadian radio show/podcast) review of Solace
"You can tell an awful lot about a band simply from the name emblazoned at the top of their album. You can pretty sure that The Horrors aren’t going to be putting out sugar sweet 90’s pop, and you just knew that Klaxons would be skirting the realms of intergalactic sci-fi indie, so when a band comes along named Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate, it’s a safe bet you’re going to hear some self-aware, intelligent, and poppy prog-rock.
Since their debut album ‘Invisible’, a rock concept album surround Galloway’s experience of invisible disability due to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate seems to have gone from strength to strength, and ‘When the Kill Code Fails’ adds even more fuel to their fire.
Opening with an X-Files style cascade of tones, ‘When the Kill Code Fails’ quickly transforms itself from a light, flickering melody to a dark narrative about a disgruntled computer hacker. It’s a mix of delicate atmosphere and stirring rock vocals that introduces the album through a unique sound and sets a heavy precedent.
The band’s penchant for creating building atmosphere’s through escalating instrumentals continues throughout the album, becoming something of a hallmark of their sound, and with Galloway’s blues-tinged vocals folded amongst the growing melodies there are plenty of reasons to enjoy ‘When the Kill Code Fails’. A floating instrumental in the form of ‘Broken Wave’, the crashing percussion and defiant vocals of ‘Head in a Jar’, and the poignant textures of ‘I Still Remember’ you combine to make the album a strong release, and it will undoubtedly provide thrills for days.
Almost simultaneously genre blending and genre defining, ‘When the Kill Code Fails’ is both a brilliant continuation of the band’s sound and strong declaration of their potential."- Anthem Review
"As fans of the site will know I rarely cover musical releases, mainly due to the fact I rarely get time to listen. However I thought I would make an exception since I am a fan of progressive rock, "Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate" is the unusual but brilliant name of the band created by Malcolm Galloway, (part-time neuropathologist and medical school lecturer) either on his own, or with his colleagues Kathryn Thomas (flute), Mark Gatland (bass), Rudy Burrell (drums) and Ibon Bilboa (guitar). Malcolm sent me a copy of his upcoming Album "When The Kill Code Fails", and while I was doing some other work I put it on to listen in the background.
The problem was the songs were so good, I kept stopping what I was doing, so that I could listen and enjoy.When The Kill Code Fails, Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate's second album, is a science-fiction/artificial intelligence themed concept album. It tells the story of an artificial intelligence construct attempting to come to terms with finding out it isn’t real. It is musically diverse with progressive rock, classic rock, electronica, metal and minimalist influences.
Anyway this is a great album, and I encourage everyone to check out the band." Sci-Fi and Horror News
"Awesome track [I Still Remember You]" - London Unsigned
"Opening with some very gentle and relaxing guitar work, sat atop a soundscape is the title track from “Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate”. The track shows the continual growth of the band, pushing their boundaries, and it’s not too long before the gentle guitar takes on a Rock stance, as Malcolm’s vocals call out; “Carry Me”. This soon tails off back to the same gentle guitar work that opened the EP, and although this gentle calm is ruptured with the electric guitar and vocals; the two sides to the track marry up perfectly.
Followed by “My Clockwork Heart”, mirroring the theme of the EP’s cover; while the song conceptually follows the path of a virtual character who develops consciousness. It shows a thematic direction that the band seem to be taking; especially when you consider the previous EP, “Head In A Jar” and the forthcoming “When The Kill Code Fails”. However, as you get into the track it’s over and yet it is not a short track-just shy of 4 minutes – but you just want more of the story! The track resides somewhere between the soundscapes and electric guitar work of the opening “Solace”; with its gentle rocking sound you half expect their trademark flute work to appear. Even with the idea of this virtual character, there is more than enough emotion in the vocals; giving the track a very personal feel.
“Alive” starts lyrically, in the same vein and with a funkier rhythm it feels that the virtual character introduced in “My Clockwork Heart” is coming to life and embracing life. Musically the track has an old school Rock feel; but in a heavy way, and more in the way the guitars are uplifting.
The EP closes with a cover of ‘Comfortably Numb’. Now covers are always a mixed bag, and I like Hat’s Off, but covering someone as venerable as Pink Floyd let alone “Comfortably Numb’? You will either love or hate this! Personally, I was left with slightly mixed feelings, but it grows on you. It also ties in with the soundscape of the opening “Solace” from the later-sounding Floyd. As covers go, this is more of a tribute than a re-imagining, and Malcolm’s vocals carry it off exceedingly well.
As a follow up taster, the first 3 tracks will appear on the forthcoming ‘When The Kill Code Fails’. This EP nails it, and only makes me want to hear the album more- especially when tied in with “Head In A Jar”." - Rock Regeneration
"Modern indie prog-rock. This is outstanding music. This is going on my Buy It list."- Best Music You Never Heard
“When the Kill Code Fails is a fascinating expression of the angst and wonder of an AI as it learns to live. It’s science fiction rock: sometimes moody, sometimes serene, with a positive message - no AIs taking over the world here. If you ever wondered what music an AI would listen to, this is it.” Dr Peter Bentley, Fellow and Honorary Reader in Computer Science at UCL, leading international research in artificial intelligence, and author of ‘Digital Biology’.
"Wow, was that a trip out and a half, loved it. Very passionate vocal. Really well done. It a great emotional delivery. Really cool song.Wow, was that a trip out and a half, loved it. Very passionate vocal. Really well done. It a great emotional delivery. Really cool song." - Doc Bones, New Music Saturday
"An absolutely brilliant band. I've really enjoyed listening to this EP." Kitty Opal, The Kitty Opal Show (about Head In A Jar EP).