REPLACEMENTS

"The Replacements" is a wonderful radio drama with prog music accompaniment. I find the story compelling, well-written, evocative, and well-acted. I find the music ranges in style from ambient to exciting and melodic. Given that the music accompanies and drives the story so well and that the story is well-told, I find no fault with it and consider it a masterpiece of its kind. Anyone who likes progressive music and misses old-time radio shows will find this album essential listening.

Story: Ex-con Artimus runs into an obviously synthetic woman whose behavior and beauty beguiles him into a mystery with interesting consequences.

Voice-Acting: Scott Gentle does an excellent job as Artimus: world-weary, lonely, and vulnerable to the strange attraction he feels for Sabel, the synthetic. Faleena Hopkins does an admirable job of navigating the cryptic nature of her character. The other two actors do fine work, as well.

Music: Ambient proggy soundtrack music. Gorgeous guitar solos. This music fleshes out the story to convey moods and landscapes. It works as music but is essential to the story experience.

I find that I cannot listen to this album track-by-track. It must be apprehended in one sitting. I've listened to it many times straight through, and even the dialogue hits its beats in a way that I don't mind hearing the same words and voice-acting over and over again. Scott Gentle's lines, in particular, have a music all their own.

Finally, the story's finish is haunting and provokes contemplation of who we are and who we want to be. I find myself wanting more of this story and those tangential to it. Highly recommended.