Fearless

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And yet, there’s a certain authenticity to the production courtesy of Dave Botrill, who worked with the likes of Rush and Mastodon in the past, meaning that it’s not sterile or lacking warmth. What’s even more bizarre is the fact the first song I listened to from ‘Fearless’ was the opening track, ‘Starlifter: Fearless Pt. A-/five stars; a minor masterpiece of progressively-blended classic hard rock music--on a skill level that you rarely see achieved in the 21st Century. Rather than clobber its audience with complexity, Fearless creates a world you want to spend time in.

That said, the biggest strength to the song is the multitude of wonderful melodies that pull me in, sometimes lurking around a hidden corner, or bold as brass, culminating in a stunning, aching lead just prior to the 15-minute mark, which then acts as the gateway to arguably my favourite passage of the song, the quiet introspective pause, followed by something much more upbeat, urgent, and addictive. The riffs within the catchy chorus have a proper edge to them, accenting the quieter, brooding verses where keys create the bulk of the musical backdrop.

This is a perfect ending to an epic, powerful, and informative journey through fantasy, science fiction, and history. Not only did it not put me off, but it managed to almost effortlessly pull me under its not inconsiderable spell.

II," readily conjures the sound and scope of Rush's 2112, the album is clearly the product of 2023, its fantastical, character-driven plotline functioning as a parable for real-world discussions about capitalism, colonization, and Indigenous struggle.The duo of Kevin Comeau (bass, guitars, keys/synths) and Cody Bowles (drummer and singer), joined forces with one of rock’s greatest producers, David Bottrill, to record this album. Lady of the Lake" (5:06) more acoustic guitar but this one you know is leading up to a full-on rock anthem. Every drum hit, every chord, every tinkling keyboard note, and every bass string pluck can be heard and enjoyed.

I’, which is a sumptuous prog rock track that continues where ‘Pt II’ left off, or maybe even acts as the prologue. Through their music, Crown Lands wants to raise awareness of the long-term effects of this colonization and give a voice to their community of indigenous peoples. However, the myriad of clever ideas, interesting time signatures, and atmospheres means it keeps my attention each and every time I press play.Interestingly, for all its upbeat nature and welcoming embrace, the final track, ‘Citadel’ allows the duo to introduce a slightly more sombre, almost melancholy vibe upon which to close things out. Dreamer of the Dawn" (4:03) a song that sounds a bit like GUNS 'N' ROSES with some RUSH basics, but as Cody's vocals and drumming go on I'm feeling that we're experiencing a new, though retro-oriented, sound.