Crown Lands consists of Canadian duo Kevin Comeau and Cody Bowles. Releasing their debut EP in 2016, Mantra, Crown Lands opened for the likes of Jack White, Primus, and Rival Sons. Since then, they have released two more EPs and, most recently, their debut, self-titled album from Universal Canada.
Here is a review of my favorite songs off Crown Lands' LP:
River
This song gives off heavy psychedelic/desert rock vibes. Guitarist/bassist/keyboardist Kevin Comeau once described the song as “goddess imagery mixed in with nature,” a description that I find to be very fitting. Listening to the song, you realize that it is subjective, as it draws emotion from reliance upon the world around us. Crown Lands captures that feeling of wanting to escape from that world in pursuit of something higher.
Leadfoot
I can confidently say that this is the stand-out song on the album, hands-down. The song starts with an upbeat, dance-y tune. Then, the chorus switches for a slowed-down, drum-led sound that, to put it simply, is just so good. “Leadfoot” is a mix of T. Rex-meets-Queens of the Stone Age, in my eyes - but definitely with a modern, unique twist. It’s a thunderous, in-your-face song that is sure to become a fan-favorite.
End of the Road
“End of the Road” is an emotional tribute to the band’s heritage. Bowles' heritage is half Mi’kmaq, an indigenous tribe from Nova Scotia; “Crown Lands” is in reference to “stolen land” being “reclaimed,” the land being where Canada's indigenous reservations are located. “End of the Road” tells the story of a highway where many indigenous women have gone missing in British Columbia. Comeau states that the song “is about a whole generation of people being wiped out. It’s a tribute for these women that haven’t had justice served to them.” For a fairly-new band to tackle such heavy subject matter in an honorable way is something that I find extremely admirable, and I think that “End of the Road” is the perfect image of Crown Lands as a whole.
Sun Dance
Every rock album needs it’s quintessential, somber, instrumental ballad, and “Sun Dance” delivers beautifully. Vocalist Cody Bowles’ talents are perhaps their strongest with this one, giving off an almost-Robert Plant-like sound that is honest and raw. There is a contrast between “dark” and “light” that I think is apparent with this song, and throughout the album, as well, and it’s refreshing to see artists embrace these elements rather than shy away from them.
Overall, Crown Lands’ talent is undeniable; the duo is surely powerful in their sound. Their influences are heavily apparent throughout the album, from Led Zeppelin to Wolfmother and all the progressive/desert/classic rock in between. I think this LP is really promising in its display of Crown Lands’ abilities, and I’m intrigued to see how they evolve as a band over time.
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