Crown Lands, a Canadian duo, have ventured over the tomes of rock history, to bring their vision to light. On their website, they are described as “Counter-culturalists for the 21st century, informed by a cocktail of old-world thinking, science-fiction, and musical narrators from Rush to Paul Simon, Led Zeppelin to John Prine.” I could not think of a better description that combines the tapestry of sound that is at work in their music.
The duo is comprised of two very different, but similar people whose background has left historical significance in their lives. Cody Bowles, the percussionist and voice of Crown Lands, is part of the Mi’kmaq First Nations and the Two Spirit (indigenous LGBTQ+) community. Kevin Comeau, who handles the guitars and keyboards, is a Jewish descendent of Holocaust survivors. That historical impact, woven with their advocacy for many societal issues, creates music that brings the listener into a story filled dreamscape.
Crown Lands’ second studio album, Fearless, uses the synthesizer to create a galactic soundscape, with guitars and percussion creating the foundation, as the lyrics spin their tale. The opening track, “Starlifter: Fearless Pt. II”, sets the stage in that soundscape. At 18:23 minutes long, galactic is a perfect term. It has so many layers, and contrasts, with parts of the song inducing a spacey, dreamy feel, then wide awake with the edgy sounds. Alternating between these contrasts, on a journey through the ethereal sounds, it’s almost like a movie soundtrack, which I found out afterwards, is right on target. Reading on their website after my first listen to the album, I learned this song is a continuation of a tale on a previous releases called “The Oracle”, and “Context: Fearless Pt. I” about a character called Fearless, who has become an enlightened being.
In “Lady of the Lake” we hear of battles, as the Lady rises up. “Cries of war will ring on / From the Valley below / All will bow before, the power she holds “. The ending verses show the results. The Lady has protected her realm. “She beckons all to lace the boots of war / while shodden mortals toil with petty power evermore”. The tale of war from the mortals power, to the Lady rising to protect her realm, is representative of, sadly, human history and its constant struggle for power. The folksy feel at the beginning of the song, is reminiscent of minstrels in a fairy tale. I can’t help but imagine a Tolkien inspired story illustrating this. Admittedly this could be because I just finished one of my fave Tolkien books ( Return of the King ), yesterday, but why ruin such a beautiful vision?
This album is the first I’ve heard of Crown Lands, and it won’t by the last. I love how many musical influences have come together to create something new. Overall, this album is full of eye opening, ear pleasing soundscapes. If you let your mind relax, the sounds can take you anywhere. Crown Lands knows the value of music as a way to spread messages, and they have mastered it.
I’m Music Magazine Photographer/Writer Michele Hancock
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