CROWN
LANDS
Are Exactly Who They Want to Be
By Kevin Young
CROWN LANDS ’ CODY BOWLES & KEVIN COMEAU
PHOTO : LANE DORSEY
With their most recent releases – “ White Buffalo ” and “ The Oracle ” – Crown Lands are hitting their stride , says guitarist / bassist / keyboardist , Kevin Comeau , adding : “ I mean , how many bands out there follow up an eight-minute single with a 13-minute single ?” he asks , laughing .
Nowadays , few , if any . Then again , Crown Lands aren ’ t shy about releasing epic-sized songs . Nor are they the least bit put out by being told they sound a lot like their key mutual influence , Rush .
“ That ’ s the best compliment we could get ,” Comeau says . “ I ’ m proud of the fact that ‘ Context ’ reached as many people as it did and that ‘ The Oracle ’ is doing the same thing . We ’ re carrying on the tradition of an art form that reached its peak 40 years ago , one that touched us both .” It ’ s not just the basis of a lot of their music , he adds , but their “ friendship and desire to make music in the first place .”
“ We ’ re kind of who we wanted to see as kids ,” puts in Cody Bowles ( drums / vocals ).
Frankly , they ’ re the kind of band I wanted to see as a kid , too . And while my introduction to Crown Lands happened by chance and I don ’ t remember what tune I heard first , I do recall the visceral , fanboy reaction I had to their songs and outstanding musicianship .
40 CANADIAN MUSICIAN