Music Existence Because of Music, We Exist
Powerhouse Canadian rock duo Crown Lands embark on a new chapter of their unfolding story with sophomore album, Fearless. The Juno award-winning band consists of Cody Bowles (vocals and drums) and Kevin Comeau (guitar, bass, and keys)—the pair boasting an impressive catalogue and an even more impressive and formidable sound that emanates from just the two musicians.
Following their self-titled debut released in 2020, Fearless takes on a theatrical scope honing into their deep interests in social issues and indigenous communities. The nine-track album sees them exploring ancient voices and long-standing political injustices, through a science-fiction lens. Influenced by musical narrators such as Rush, Paul Simon, and Led Zeppelin, their voices echo throughout the album as Crown Lands construct sonic escapades through a conceptualized tale.
The premise of the album’s narration is explained by Bowles, who also writes science fiction. “This epic story spans hundreds of years following our titular hero: Fearless after the events of (2021 single) ‘The Oracle.’ He stands against the colonization of outer space and the decimation of his people to reclaim what was stolen by capitalistic greed and bloodshed…I have always loved songs that give you more the more you lean into them, and there is a deeper meaning to this story if you look for it.”
Where their debut record showcased Crown Lands’ aptitude for raw blues rock, Fearless embraces the band’s passions in prog-rock and newly explored formats. There is a mystical element to the artistic visuals and sounds of this album, exemplified not only in album artwork and accompanying videos, but in the lush soundscapes of each song, ranging from the cries of a horn signaling indigenous histories, twinkling synthesizers and layered, drawn out voices. Unapologetically rich, this ambitious body of work seeks beauty within the chaos.
There is nothing more boldly ambitious than opening track “Starlifter: Fearless Pt. II”, an epic 18-minute prog-rock ballad that rumbles to life before capturing listeners with layers of folklore and explorative instrumentation. Crashing waves of percussion and blazing guitars take you by storm, while Bowles’ wailing vocals begin the narration of an imaginative storyline. Marrying sci-fi elements with political issues, “Starlifter” feels monumental and cinematic in nature, preparing listeners for the full experience of the album to unfold.
After its final notes close with triumphant resolve, “Dreamer of the Dawn” follows with a quick punch of power chords and unrelenting percussion. “The Shadow” easily stands out with its nods to 90s grunge, while the chorus erupts in 80s hair mental nostalgia. While the album flexes its progressive qualities and synthesizer sequences, the classic rock hallmarks that started their career remain entangled through fresh themes and immersive storytelling.
“Right Way Back” finds Bowles channeling Robert Plant in mesmerizing vocal calls and a Zeppelin-style sonic structure. The track sizzles with a palpitating energy that fuels the album’s midpoint and fuses concepts together. Supplementary track “Context: Fearless Pt. I” opens with pristine orchestral chords that are halted by the sudden rush of guitar and drums, emphasizing the symbolic nature of the album’s themes. Crown Lands have carefully curated a compelling blend of juxtaposition— soft and loud, light and dark, gentle and bold. Their hybrid of new and old sounds reveals a treasure chest of progressive, rock, and electronic strains that pushes the album forward.
Playing with dynamic textures, “Reflections” serves as an ethereal palette cleanser that transitions into a mid tempo cacophony of classic rock musings. Just when you think they’ve traveled every road, instrumental track “Penny” allows Crown Lands to fall into a softer stride, channeling folk inklings through beautiful guitar picking, evoking the scenery of picturesque landscapes.
A longtime favorite, Crown Lands have been playing “Lady of the Lake” live for about a year, leaving fans desperate for a studio version. Of the track’s origins, Bowles explains, “Steeped in a myriad of mythology, our song ‘Lady of the Lake’ tells a tale of an ancient battle for control over the realm and a powerful goddess who is called upon to dispel the darkness…” Bowles vigilantly sings the lyrics like retracing a legend, (Now she has awoken/ Her wrath will shake the world… All will bow before/ The power she holds) while the arrangement builds an energy that yields full submersion into another realm. Bowles’ distinctive tenor soars over the track like a bird in flight, embracing depth and mastery that nods to cinematic visions.
A spirited endeavor that reaps reward as “Citadel” brings it to a close, Fearless is as fantastical as it is approachable. Although the band dials into otherworldly narratives, the deep humanity and introspection that is presented through song adds a humbling weight to the album. With a magnitude of sounds, Crown Lands blow the doors wide open for a new generation to discover prog-rock, perhaps instigating two quests within this one LP.
Fearless is out everywhere today via Spinefarm Records/Universal Music Canada.
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