Album Review: Crown Lands – Fearless (Spinefarm Records/Universal Music)

Juno Award-winning, powerhouse rock duo Crown Lands – Cody Bowles (vocals and drums) and Kevin Comeau (guitar, bass, and keys) – will release their sophomore studio album Fearless on March 31st through Spinefarm /Universal Music Canada.

Opening their new record with one of the ballsiest moves possible, Crown Lands introduce listeners to Fearless with Starlifter: Fearless Pt. II. An 18+ minute opening track that will leave most utterly gob-smacked and feeling quite exhausted.

How do you describe the implausible journey that this track takes you on? This review could focus on this track alone and still be a lengthy read. From the moment the opening starry melody and rock hit of energy arrives, it just grows and grows in strength. The sense of grandness growing as it hits a rhythmic tempo and blends gorgeous melody with reasons to move your body. On and on it goes, moving through stages, twisting, turning, and showcasing an electric array of tones.

Old school rock, modern and vibrant effects, energetic groove throughout, melodic when it needs to be, weird, wonderful, and always interesting. What a track.

Take a breath though, that was just the start and there’s plenty more reasons to celebrate as the album goes on. Starting with the straight-up rocking body-shaker that is Dreamer of the Dawn and into the 80s head-banging vibes of The Shadow. The simplified direction of both tracks are quite welcome after such a hefty opener, yet that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to sink the teeth into here either.

Which also applies to the finger snapping and foot tapping rhythm of Right Way Back. Before Crown Lands go big again with Context: Fearless Pt. I, though not quite as big as the opener. This near-8-minute track is just elaborate though and features some of the band’s most captivating melodies but also some of their more experimental ideas. It results in something that is delightfully majestic throughout.

Everyone is going to have their personal favourite track but this reviewer? It’s all about Reflections. Simply because of the cinematic ambience that makes up the first minute. So beautiful and so touching. Something that leads into a nice slice of rock and roll groove with layers of melody and a banging chorus.

You gotta love Penny too though. An instrumental slice of warm sun with melodious sweetness running through it like a vein. Before the final pairing of Lady of the Lake and Citadel make sure this is an album to remember. The trembling power-rock vibes of the former and the gorgeous anthemic vibes of the latter.

The word you’re looking for, to describe this album, is ‘stunning’.

Crown Lands – Fearless Track Listing:

1. Starlifter: Fearless Pt. II
2. Dreamer of the Dawn
3. The Shadow
4. Right Way Back
5. Context: Fearless Pt. I
6. Reflections
7. Penny
8. Lady Of the Lake
9. Citadel

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