Hibernal: Replacements

Within the vast genre of progressive rock exists the general consensus that a great text may accompany great music; I'm thinking The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Ayreon's catalogue, Thick as a Brick, and so forth. The concept album may tie together a narrative (Scenes from a Memory by Dream Theater) or comment on topics in a non-linear fashion (Yes' Tales from Topographic Oceans).

Hibernal is the name Australian musician Mark Healy has given his music project and his most recent release is entitled Replacements.

The CD is comprised of atmospheric instrumental rock sound-bridged together at each track to create a full-album listening experience. The concept of Replacements is presented partially through cinema-quality voice-overs by multiple characters within the narrative.

Song titles also provide context within the narrative, plus the music of each song is representative of the emotions and movement within the story.

In my mind, I'm reading a graphic novel and the spoken words are in the thought bubbles of the drawn pages. The music provides the pictures, the colors, the shades, and the style of the illustrations. I suppose Replacements can be a different experience depending on the mood and surroundings of the listener.

On occasion the music leans toward metal with distorted guitars, classic progressive rock of Pink Floyd or Porcupine Tree, ambient and industrial music with synthesized atmospherics, and post-rock attributes of echo and reverb-laden guitar tones and emotional crescendos.

Storytelling with music has been approached through a new angle with Replacements. I would be surprised if this doesn't inspire other musicians to create similar listening experiences. This is something to listen to, not just hear, and would be optimal for solo travel, a walk or run, or any other situation where one has 65 uninterrupted minutes to experience musical fiction.

Track Listing
1. Replacements Part I 4.00
2. The City Ebbs 7.22
3. The Restless Man 6.38
4. Evasion 6.33
5. The Streets in Darkness 5.17
6. The Place Where You Hide 7.22
7. Machinations 3.04
8. Time Runs Out 4.15
9. Truth 4:35
10. Fragments of the Past 6.51
11. Fallout 5.39
12. Replacements Part II 4.22

Added: May 29th 2014
Reviewer: Ryan Good
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 2052
Language: english

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