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"Trial and master stroke for Landmarq who offers with "Solitary Witness" a first album of enchanting neo-progressive rock, perhaps its best opus to date."
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5/5
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"Solitary Witness" is the first album of Landmarq, a band whose music could not be other than neo-progressive rock considering the origins of its members and the name of their manager and lyricist, the prolific Clive Nolan. Indeed, when your name is Steve Gee (bass), brother of Peter (Pendragon) and you toured with Camel, or Steve Leigh (keyboards), replacing a certain Mark Kelly in Chemical Alice, you can't escape your influences. Landmarq delivers us a tasty neo-prog tendency Arena mixed with a hint of IQ.
The first two tracks announce well the cheerful atmosphere of this album. The vocals, far from the theatrical register of Fish, is powerful and always superb. Could one expect less from a singer whose name is surely not unknown to you, since it is Damian Wilson (Threshold, Ayreon). The excellent guitarist, answering to the unlikely name of Uwe D'Röse, is a master in the art of making his instrument sing in warm and bewitching tones. And what can we say about the keyboards, if not that Steve Leigh's playing, whether on synths or piano (very present on the album) has nothing to envy to Kelly, Martin or Nolan. The rhythm section is very well served with a great Steve Gee on bass and, on drums, Dave Wagstaffe who is not really a beginner since he officiated for Thin Lizzy and Lindisfarne.
It's hard to single out one track rather than another, because whether it's the two instrumentals (April First and Freefall) or the vocal tracks, they all have their charm. If you look hard enough, and only to point out one track, only 'Borders' is a little bit below the whole because of its light and optimistic song, but can we really reproach them for that?
"Solitary Witness" is a fascinating album. Landmarq constantly reminds us of others (Arena, La Tulipe Noire, IQ, Clepsydra or Atoll) and yet their music is never a pale imitation. It is thus a pity that the following opuses are not of this level! This first try was a master stroke and Solitary Witness could certainly be the best album of Landmarq. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Killing Fields - 4:51
02. Forever Young - 8:51
03. April First - 4:53
04. Terracotta Army - 6:35
05. Freefall - 3:32
06. Tippi Hedren - 7:40
07. After I Died Somewhere - 3:32
08. Suite: St. Helens - 9:40
09. Borders - 5:00
LINEUP:
Damien Wilson: Chant
David Wagstaffe: Batterie
Ian Salmon: Guitares / titre 6
Steve Gee: Basse
Steve Leigh: Claviers
Uwe D'röse: Guitares
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READERS
4/5 (1 view(s))
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STAFF:
3.8/5 (5 view(s))
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