After releasing three EPs, Mantra (2016), Rise Over Run (2017) and Wayward Flyers Vol. 1 (2020), Oshawa, Ontario based hard rocking duo Crown Lands return with their first full length, the self titled 7 track Crown Lands LP from major label Universal Music Canada. Band members Cody Bowles (vocals/drums) and Kevin Comeau (guitar/bass/keyboards) traveled down to the hub of all things guitar based rock n roll these days, Nashville, Tennessee, to record this brisk 27 minute long spin.

Produced by Grammy Award winner Dave Cobb at RCA Studio A, Crown Lands jumps right out of the starting gate with the balls to the wall opening track and lead single “Spit It Out”. The following five tracks follow suit with Bowles’ Robert Plant meets Geddy Lee falsetto holding sway over Comeau’s thrashing guitar. Bowles and Comeau save the quiet for last with the closing ballad “Sun Dance”. Sound familiar? Sure it does. Canada’s answer to Greta Van Fleet? Not necessarily. These days there’s precious little hard rock represented in Billboard’s Top 200 Albums Chart so it’s safe to say these two brave souls are not in it for the money but rather for the sheer joy of rocking out. And rock out they do. Let’s hope this pithy little record is just the beginning of a rock n roll dynasty waiting to unfold.

8/10

2020 Song Of The Day Club

Bi-Weekly Record Review 21/26