Patio Records/Lantzapalooza Muzik

****

Another commanding record of class and beauty from Lance Cowan, who for years hid his talent as a sensitive singer-songwriter, behind the veil as one of Nashville’s highly esteemed PR guys. Though he dabbled with the music for more than 40 years, playing songwriters’ nights and co-writing sessions, it was only a couple of years ago that Lance released his acclaimed SO FAR, SO GOOD debut album. This third album—yes, he’s now become quite a prolific recording artist—is a collection of sweet and intimate songs that have the immediacy of a pencil sketch and the depth of a mural. Listeners will be rendered enchanted by his inventive tune crafting skills. Producer Scott Paschall has a real flair for inventive arrangements ably assisted by a congress of top-tier sensitive musicians including Dan Dugmore, Dave Pomeroy, Phil Madeira, Sam Bush, Michael Spriggs, Bryan Owings, Pat McGrath and Chip and Billy Davis. Their mixture of light and shade makes each song an engrossing, riveting listening experience.

The entire record is rich with the atmosphere of a private sonic diary of a caring human being. Though he occasionally gestures toward life’s harder edges, he also finds reasons to revel in simple gifts. Love is a gorgeous, sparse rumination on life.  In an era where it’s easy to be consumed by bad news and events, these wise and thoughtful words are worth endeavoring to fulfill. There’s always a chance for something new around the corner, whether love or a new path to take. It provides a compelling opening salvo. Home With You hits all the country-tune sweet spots. Sonically, a very catchy fiddle-driven toe-tapper with a wistful look back at a long life on the road with a kind of subtle, off-kilter complexity, detailing a performer’s life is not always a bed of roses.

Once again Lance shows his skill at penning inventive stories-in-song. Where’d They Go, a co-write with Terry Clayton, addresses the neighbours who seemingly disappeared without a trace. Taken a little brisker, William Cooper Smith featuring guest vocals by Jimmie Dale Gilmore, is a simple, yet fascinating western yarn from a master storyteller. This will hold you in thrall with a face-to-face encounter with the ultimate ending of a dedicated lawman unable to handle all his killings over the year. Other lyrics touch on the devastating heartbreak of losing at love in the beautifully bleak The One You Love. This is brought back from the edge of despair by Phil Madeira’s haunting accordion and the sparse, but perfectly placed, guitar string pulling. In contrast, the need for mutual understanding while working together on a relationship in the particularly touching Being With You, leaves a singular and lasting impression.

Lance emerges as a sharp, succinct, inventive and insightful songwriter, one who can convey complex ideas with just a few words. The Road balances the dark reality of today as he ponders life’s most pressing questions. There’s a hint of optimism in a call for compassion, understanding, and coming together on Closer To Truth. A powerful co-write with Dave Mallet, this is a message that needs to be heard, especially now, with the promise that the future often holds. Lance Cowan is a talented artist who is adept at creating compassionate music that speaks for itself. In this batch of songs, he embraces and acknowledges the struggles, pleasures, heartbreaks and hopes of life in today’s crazy, mixed-up world.

www.lancecowanmusic.com

June 2026