*Can you
really replace a human with something that just looks like one?*
Last
year, Mark Healy's creative outlet Hibernal was unleashed onto an unsuspecting
world. "The Machine" was a debut album that mixed post-rock, Porcupine Tree,
Pink Floyd, and a story presented by the spoken word to absolutely incredible
effect. "The Machine" was in my top five albums of 2013, and I was dying for
another installment. Mark has answered that call with his sophomore album
"Replacements".
The question
is: Can he do it again?
I am proud of
Mark. I really am. Not only has he created a mesmerizing second installment for
Hibernal, but he has outdone himself in every single way. Before I go any
further, I must mention three things. First of all, the art for this album is
phenomenal. I seriously don't expect to see another album that beats
"Replacements" in this area during 2014. Secondly, this is not your typical
album or band. Mark created Hibernal to be something different, and so both
albums are more like a cinematic experience than a prog album. Indeed, the voice
actors are so incredibly talented that its more like witnessing a theatrical
excursion than listening to an album. Thirdly, because not everyone will desire
a story like this, there is an instrumental version of this album also going to
be available when it releases on March 24th. I get it: Not everyone wants to
hear an amazing story tinged with emotion and profundity. I have no idea why,
though.
With all that
said, I want to tackle the story first. "The Machine" featured a (possibly)
futuristic story of losing one's self in the machine that is economic slavery.
It was profound and deep. However, "Replacements" takes the prize as the better
story. Everything is better. "Replacements" is far more concise and detailed, as
we can be certain that it takes place in the future and we can really "see" the
story unfold. The story centers around a recently released, seemingly empty
convict that stumbles upon a "synthetic" (android) that he can't seem to get off
his mind. As he follows her and protects her, he learns unimaginable things
about himself and the world around him. If you think it sounds something like
Bladerunner, you'd be right, and I can't express how much I love this fact.
I'm a huge fan of that
film, and I've been dying for something similar. "Replacements" touches on the
ideas of losing yourself through your own actions and giving up your very
humanity, only to pursue it the rest of your life. Humanity is uniquely created
to be expressive, intelligent, and free. What happens when we submit to those
that want us to be somehow less than human?
The voice
actors are different this time around, and I find them to be slightly more
emotional and just more expressive overall, especially Scott Gentle, the voice
of the main character Artimus. His voice is gruff, thoughtful, and completely
convincing. Faleena Hopkins, as Sabel the synthetic, is the same, as her cold
voice is incredibly fine-tuned. Indeed, not only is the execution of the story
flawless (the sound effects are masterful), but the story itself is
well-written, thought-provoking, and plays games with your mind, especially at
the end. Mark says that he thinks it is important for everyone to make up their
own mind about the story, but I'll force a full confession out of him sooner or
later.
So, I
find the story to be better and even more up my alley than the debut album. It
is more fully realized, both in narrative and in setting. However, Mark steps up
the musical side to this production as well. Again, Mark plays all the
instruments: guitars, drums, and keys. His friend Rowan Salt plays the bass this
time, and it really shows. So, alongside the post- rock structures and climaxes,
we now get intense riffs, incredible solos, electronic additions, addictive
bass, and just a faster pace overall. I confess that the music on "The Machine"
never got my heart pumping faster, but now Mark has really found his rhythm with
creating music that perfectly fits the story scene. It adds to the story, and
the story adds to the music. This relationship is one of the reasons why I don't
understand why anyone would skip the story version.
The rain
glitters on their skin. The strange attraction that Artimus feels to Sabel is
completely palpable. The darkness. The transition from sleek city to slummish
ruins. The fights. The perfect twists. The mystery that still lingers in my
mind. The "Replacements" story is made up of all this and more, and all of it
feels so real.
The
brilliant, high-tuned solos achieve perfection in many instances. I can't
emphasize that enough. If there's one aspect of the music that really stays with
me, it's the inventive and delightful solos. The charging riffs, eerie
electronic touches, and awesome bass lines are a perfect foundation for these
solos. However, all of this serves as a foundation for the story.
Hibernal
once again divides music fans into two groups: lyric analyzers and those who
only care about the music. This is fine for me, as lyrics are extremely
important to me, and Mark's stories are smack dab right in the middle of my
interests. However, I still want to compel all those that don't care about the
words to buy this album. It is an experience first and foremost. It will wow
you, grab your mind, and take you on an emotional roller coaster. Hibernal has
given the world something to talk about once again, as "Replacements" is a
step-up in every way. I'm confident that you will be seeing this album in my end
of the year lists.
