SCIENCE OF COINCIDENCE

Due to the writing of LANDMARQ's fourth album, Damian Wilson left the band and was replaced by the fabulous Tracy Hitchings. Previously she's been in bands such as QUASAR and STRANGERS ON A TRAIN. She's also currently a part of Clive NOLAN and Oliver WAKEMAN'S's project called "Jabberwocky". This woman is perhaps the best female vocalist in progressive rock. She's not only doing the vocals on this album, she's also taken part in writing and co-writing the main part of the albums lyrics. On this album you can hear a revitalised LANDMARQ with a better and much more appropriate vocalist, and a development in the song writing since the previous album "The Vision Pit". Musically LANDMARQ is reminiscent to keyboard dominated, symphonic neo-prog bands such as IQ, MARILLION, PALLAS and PENDRAGON with an 80's sound to it. There's also traces of CAMEL, GENESIS and PINK FLOYD influences. This album contains highlights such as the epic track "The Vision Pit", the poppy "Summer Madness", the intricate "Lighthouse", the beautiful "Between Sleeping and Dreaming" and the amazing last track "The Overlook". There just aren't enough of superlatives to describe "The Overlook"; it has got all you want. Actually there aren't any weak track on this album, and the production is very good as well. Maybe this album is more laid-back and commercial than "The Vision Pit", and some may consider it to be to poppy, but I think it's a step forward compared to their previous album. Unfortunately the cover is very boring, and it doesn't really get your attention if you're not familiar with LANDMARQ. So there won't be anyone who's buying this album because the cover got them curious. But I advice you to ignore the cover, buy the CD, and just enjoy the music. It's on of the best records from 1998, and it's highly recommended.