'Science of Coincidence' is Landmarq's fifth studio album fronted by Tracy Hitchings (Quasar, Gandalf, John Wetton, Steve Hackett, Strangers on a Train etc), is also known for her work as the girl on the 'Jabberwocky', the Clive Nolan and Oliver Wakeman project. Landmarq also features Uwe D'Rose on guitars, Steve Leigh on keys, Dave Wagstaff on drums and Steve Smith on bass.

The eight songs with a total playing time of 63 minutes are stylistically somewhere between symphonic, progressive and art rock. You can describe the music with keywords like atmospheric and emotional. No extraordinary mind-blowing songs, but still very good. The guitars, bass, keys, everything comes to it's right, but as said, nothing overexciting. Tracy's voice fits perfectly and matches the keywords like a glove.

Songs like the twelve-minute long 'The Vision Pit' clearly shows the competent material the musicians are made of. The longer songs are in general the better ones. They are clearly great songwriters. Another longer song with great, striking musicianship is 'Lighthouse' with intricate guitars and keyboard solos.

Good melody lines and great choruses are significant for 'Science of Coincidence'. It's mature and grows on you.

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 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.

Rumours are saying that Landmarq is writing on new material for a fifth album. There's also rumours of a live album. I'm surely one of those who will be waiting.