SCIENCE OF COINCIDENCE

The fourth album of this neo-prog band makes a matured impression by delivering strong melodies and great symphonic harmonies from guitar and lots of keyboards. The tracks are extremely well crafted and easy to listen to at the same time, although not commercial by any means. Compared to previous albums, their sound has been updated by different sounds from the past and the present and it gives the album a timeless character. There's enough highlights to recommend this album for people who find the quality of the song writing important and who like the softer side of prog, the band does sound softer than they used to but I can hardly find that a loss ! If you want to get to know this band this may not be a bad place to start.

"Science of coincidence is the first album with a new vocalist, Tracy Hitchings replaced Damien Wilson and it's quite a change even if they're both skilled singers. They do have the sense of drama in common as you can hear on the energetic opening track. In the beginning of the nineties this band was formed out of the ashes of Quasar, an English prog band of the eighties who released two decent albums and had numerous line-up changes. Hitchings was the last lead vocalist of Quasar. No wonder you can spot traces of the nervous, frightening atmosphere which was typical for Quasar.

On every Landmarq album a song is named to the previous one. Can't help comparing the intro of "the vision pit" to the opening part of "Shine on you crazy diamond" from Floyd but fortunately the rest of this excellent moody epic is totally different. The many layers of keyboards weave a web where one can set his mind on dreaming. This is one of the reason I find this album enjoyable. It has a laid back feel to it making it a joy to listen to. More than on other Landmarq albums the keyboards dominate the sound. Lots of organs, moogs, a mellotron and modern keyboards are used to produce the right mood. Also the guitar parts add a substantial part to the overall sound not in the least by including some psychedelic elements. For me "Lighthouse" is the best track, it starts in a mood like you're wandering in a dark wood listening to ghost stories. But it gets even more excitable with a large instrumental part full of jazzy duels between all of the instruments ; mid seventies Camel seems not far away. Awesome ! After that "Between sleeping and dreaming" is the perfect antidote. A calm but gorgeous track with lovely melodies by the vocals on a classical piano part and a stunning guitar/keyboard arrangement later on. Again, it reminds me on the wind & wuttering period of Genesis. "More flames." and the title track could be considered as less memorable but not bad in any way ; this is vintage Landmarq which means staccato rhythms and the weebling Mark Kelly sound on the moogs but Hitchings distinctive vocals are definitely an improvement for the sound. Still impressed by the stunning way she is singing. I assume a lot of prog lovers aren't to keen on the pop influence which is present on a track like "summer madness" but this is still a very decent and enjoyable neo prog track. "The overlook" is another highlight, a timeless epic with the best of what this band has to offer and that's quite a lot. Recommended !