With Fearless, Canadian duo Crown Lands come up with an album of bombastic classic progressive rock and then some. Sure, the Rush influences smack you right in the chops and Crown Lands pull it off so well its nothing shy of spectacular.
The homage to Messers Lee, Lifeson and Peart is there right from the off with the eighteen minute opus of Starlifter: Fearless Pt. II. Split in to nine sections its 2112 for the twenty first century.
Indeed – the first part is titled Overture and is just as gripping as the same on 2112.
The remaining eight parts each equally spectacular as is the complex yet accessible composition and faultless musicianship. As the eighteen minutes unfold the ear instantly picks out riffs, styles and passages that remind of that classic run of Rush albums from Fly By Night through to Moving Pictures.
Quite breath-taking in scope and ambition it stands remarkably well on its own merits as a mark of the ability Crown Lands possess as well as being the clear homage to their much-missed countrymen.
Indeed – as does Context: Fearless Pt. I which comes in at the album midpoint. Perhaps slightly scaled back from the bombacity of Pt. II though no less enjoyable as the modern throwback to that classic Rush era.
Have a listen to Starlifter: Fearless Pt. II.
The rest of Fearless is a lesson in how to put together an album of remarkably good and consistent heavy progressive rock with variety and bombast without becoming overblown. Track such as Dreamer of the Dawn, Lady of the Lake and Citadel are Crown Lands in their own style yet the Rush undertones are ever-present.
Dreamer of the Dawn is heavy and progressive with a soaring riff and hugely melodic with a massive hook. Short and to the point.
The Shadow is heavy and has a darker feel to it. Right Way Back punchy and melodic. Reflections could have come straight off A Farewell to Kings and Penny is a surprise few minute interlude of a mainly acoustic instrumental.
Lady of the Lake is an upbeat rocker which is also a little mystical before the haunting, beautiful slow burner of Citadel closes out a remarkable album in quite some style as the piano based start build broodingly to develop out in to an emotional style affair.
Crown Lands have something special with Fearless. Don’t fall in to the trap of thinking it’s a couple of blokes thinking they are Rush reimagined. Yes – clearly Rush influenced however they more than stand for themselves with such ability and variety in their own talents.
Top, top marks indeed……!
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