Review | Herin – Hiding in Plain Sight

Record Store Day 2025 Limited edition 2LP Vinyl

`Hiding in Plain Sight’ of Herin receives a transformative treatment on its Record Store Day 2025 limited edition, the special 2-LP, 180g vinyl release that not only enhances the album’s intricate soundscape but also reshapes the listening experience through a revised running order and the addition of exclusive new tracks. This edition stands as a definitive benchmark for the album, providing a core reference for its emotional and sonic impact, further substantiated by Martien Koolen’s recent insightful analysis.

Originally released on CD in November 2024 to overwhelmingly positive reviews, `Hiding in Plain Sight’ gains a new dimension in this vinyl format. An endeavor that lasts!

A FULL-BODIED PRODUCTION

The vinyl format brings a newfound organic warmth and resonance to the album, amplifying its bombastic, full-bodied production. The vinyl version presses on its resonant voicing, with an impressive organic presence. The analogue depth accentuates the tactile nuances of the recording, its lush orchestral heavy swelling, combined with the intricate polyrhythms and powerful rhythm changes, underneath the virtuosic guitar work and creative musical interplay, gain a physical presence that digital formats can’t match. It oozes the story more than previously. The result is a more immersive and emotionally charged experience, with each instrument and vocal line rendered in vivid relief, drawing the listener deeper into the album’s narrative. It just draws one nearer and closer.

Adding to the texture of the experience, this special release features RealFeel processing, a unique audio program developed by Rob Fraboni (Rolling Stones, Clapton) that restores analogue warmth to digital recordings, bridging the gap between modern recording techniques and the classic vinyl sound. In the balance lies the connection of deeper resonance with the music transgressing on a broader emotional level. It lands closer to your heart, with deeper textural levels revealed.

ALZHEIMER DISEASE

At its core `Hiding in Plain Sight’ is a poignant chronicle of Chris Herin’s decade-long journey witnessing his father’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. It comes close and personal, luring you deep into the struggles of remorse. Its undisputed urgence in the core of the subtle messaging is present but never presses. The (conceptual and personal) lyrics and music capture the helplessness, grief, and resilience of those forced to say a slow farewell to a loved one, with each song revealing the emotional weight through layered arrangements and cinematic soundscapes. With these layers and textures allowing music and lyrics to breath into the multi-layered experience, the music is gaining momentum for its story.

Tracks like ,,Warning Signs”, featuring Michael Sadler’s commanding emotive vocals, mirror the turmoil and fleeting moments of clarity that define this experience. The haunting jazz-infused opening sets the stage for a journey into experimental progressive rock territory, as Martien Koolen notes, weaving together intricate guitar themes, polyrhythmic drum patterns, and a pulsating bass line.

REVISED RUNNING ORDER AND NEW TRACKS

The Record Store Day vinyl edition introduces a thoughtfully curated running order that enhances the album’s narrative flow. The sequencing allows the emotional arc to unfold with greater clarity, building tension and release in a way that feels both deliberate and cathartic. It all empowers the overall experience. The cross face of story and music is more balanced, with Herin’s mastery at the helm. This vinyl edition also features additional artwork by Hugh Syme, providing a visual companion that mirrors the album’s introspective themes. Chris’ music is visualized in the might of the lyricism, with the inner sleeve’s white dormant displaying keenly hidden imagery that falls into place with the hiding of a ‘mind on demise’. This visual rendering balances the load of the record.

Crucially, this edition includes 4 bonus tracks interspersed throughout the revised running order, offering a completely new listening experience. These new tracks deepen the album’s exploration of memory, loss, and legacy, providing fresh perspectives and additional layers to Herin’s story. The bonus material is perfectly integrated, offering fans a compelling reason to revisit the album and experience its themes anew. Revealing Chris Herin’s scope and musical creativity, ,,Our Own Time” and ,,Requim 704” add volumes to the tendencies of the story on side A, while ,,Sad Cypress” enhances the musical experience of the story on side B. Enforcing the story with music rather than words, the record gains a sinister momentum at times.

,,Safe House, Asylum” puts more accolades on side D with its lustre build upon the original track ,,Safe House”. The theme endured, the song falls exactly into the closing chapter of the record, making the story a bolder whole.

SPECIAL GUESTS

`Hiding in Plain Sight’ is not just a solo project; it’s a collaborative tour de force featuring nearly 30 special guests from across the progressive rock community. This includes luminaries such as Alex Lifeson (Rush); Martin Barre, Doane Perry, and John O’Hara (Jethro Tull); Michael Sadler (Saga); Peter Frampton; Matthew Parmenter (Discipline); Crown Lands; Kim Mitchell; Randy McStine (Porcupine Tree); Kevin Chown; and Jeff Kollman. Each guest artist propels Herin’s songs into expansive new directions, adding their unique prowess.

,,The Darkest Hour” reunites classic Jethro Tull members after a 12-year absence, laying down boggling prog with polyrhythmic movements, while ,,Secret Adversary” displays Herin’s Rush-influenced guitar work blended with Yes-reminiscent vocal melodies. It is sheer prog mayhem that finds its way to the hearts of fans. Peter Frampton‘s standout vocal performance in ,,The Heart of You” infuses the track with genuine sentiment, and Alex Lifeson’s guitar exercises on ,,A Wrinkle in Time” contribute to a glorious, toned breakdown. Balancing the musical profinite, the record sees typical Tiles (Chris Herin) construct blend with his idols of Rush, while equally paying homage to the overarching class of the genre’s most compelling giants.

As highlighted in my previous cd review and expanded upon by colleague Martien Koolen’s detailed analysis, Herin’s masterful blend of prog and art rock influences creates a rich tapestry of sound that is both technically impressive and emotionally resonant. The vinyl’s enhanced resonance brings out the best in the album’s production. The result is a record that showcases musical brilliance and stands as a moving tribute to the complexities of love, loss, and resilience.

HERIN – THE CONCLUSION

The Record Store Day 2025 limited edition is more than just a collector’s item, it is the ultimate way to experience the `Hiding in Plain Sight’ conceptual construct. Its organic texture of the heavy 180g vinyl, the expanded track list, featuring no less than 4 additional tracks, combined with the revised running order and the collaborative spirit all contribute to a listening experience that is richer, more immersive, and more emotionally impactful than ever before. For long-time fans and new listeners, this edition sets a new standard for how personal tragedy and musical artistry can be intertwined on record.

Note: a portion of this album’s proceeds will be donated to Alzheimer’s charities, making this release not only a musical treasure but also a contribution to a worthy cause.

Release date: 12 April 2025