Parallel Lives

'Parallel Lives' is the 9th album by London-based progressive rock band Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate. The album was written at around the same time as Malcolm was diagnosed with a rare, incurable, progressive neurodegenerative retinal disease, the psychological impact of which influenced the song-writing. The overarching theme of the album is the disconnection between different identities within ourselves, and between each other. Mental health related issues are a recurrent theme. Several songs are sung from the perspective of characters who are experiencing situations that undermine their sense of self-identity. Some of the tracks are more directly personal in perspective. Others were influenced by science fiction stories that relate to the theme of the album. Three tracks were inspired by the writing of Philip K Dick, and one track ('Eversion') was inspired by Alastair Reynolds' novel of the same name