A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

Shadowland regrouped in 2009 to play a number of gigs in Europe. While they did not go to the extent of recording a completely new album, this "Best of" package was complied to allow them to offer new product to their audience. One brand new song was recorded by the band for the album, with Mark Westwood taking over bass duties for the track and the tour.

The album has 9 tracks drawn fairly evenly from the three studio albums plus the new song "Edge of night". The selections tend to be held up by fans as being the best on those albums, so it would be churlish to quibble about what is in and what is not. The fact that these songs were also performed live by the band during the aforementioned tour perhaps also confirms their place in Shadowland's history.

Pleasingly, the focus is on the most progressive numbers, the 11 minute "Jigsaw", the 9 minute "Dreams of the ferryman" and the 8½ minute, two part "A matter of perspective/The hunger" being but three of the highlights.

The new song fits in well. It was written by Clive Nolan while he was working on Caamora's "She" project, but as soon as he wrote it he "realised that it was really a Shadowland song". Followers of the band should ensure that they add this song, which is probably the band's final statement, to their collection. A live version is available on the similarly titled DVD and live album also released in 2009.

As with any compilation, it is as notable for what is missed out as it is for what is present. "A matter of perspective" serves as a good introduction to Shadowland, but be warned it will simply entice you to acquire the band's three studio albums anyway.