You may know him as the longtime guitarist/songwriter for US progressive rock act Tiles, but here Chris Herin is with his very first solo album, released under the Herin banner and titled Hiding in Plain Sight on the Laser's Edge label. Presented as a concept album and depicting Chris' real-life story of his father's decade-long struggle with Alzheimer's disease, Hiding in Plain Sight is a somber yet touching collection of songs that will reveal itself to be all too real for others dealing with a family member going through this or a similar disease. Acclaimed producer Terry Brown, notable for working with Rush but also with extensive time with Tiles, is back once again, along with Hugh Syme who worked on the album imagery. Chris has also brought along plenty of guests, such as Martin Barre, Peter Frampton, Alex Lifeson, Doane Perry, John O'Hara, Michael Sadler, Kim Mitchell, Jeff Kollman, Shane Gaalaas, Colin Edwin, Tim Bowness, Matthew Parmenter, Cody Bowles & Kevin Comeau from Crowned Lands, Randy McStine, Kevin Chown, and others. That's quite the all-star cast!
There is a healthy mix of vibrant progressive rock, pop/art rock, and of course some more muscular, hard rock fare to be found on Hiding in Plain Sight. Sadler makes his presence known right from the start on the upbeat rocker "Warning Signs", which also features a tasty solo from Kollman. "The Darkest Hour" brings Barre's muscular guitar and Perry's solid drumming to the table, with some cool flute added it sounds like a Jethro Tull reunion of sorts. "The Heart of You" is catchy rock song, great chorus, and a nice contribution from Frampton, and "Secret Adversary" rocks even harder, Herin and Mitchell delivering the guitar thunder. McStine is featured on that one and also the vibrant and melodic number "A Wrinkle in Time"...this guy is a real talent. Parmenter's anguished vocals can be heard on the emotional "Second Ending", "White Dandelions", and "Living in the Night", and McStine returns again for the rootsy "Wilderness Years".Â
The arrangements are great (Herin really is a great songwriter) and it's interesting how he wrote the entire album yet let his guests really shine here. It's sound less like a solo album and more like a collaboration that makes his concept come alive. Well done by all!
Track Listing
1.
Warning Signs 05:07
2.
The Darkest Hour 04:33
3.
Living In The Night 04:41
4.
The Heart Of You 04:11
5.
Secret Adversary 05:10
6.
A Wrinkle In Time 06:15
7.
Second Ending 05:49
8.
Safe House (Isolation) 03:41
9.
Slow To Crumble 04:52
10.
Wilderness Years 04:12
11.
White Dandelions 03:40
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
