​Lance Cowan (from the album Against the Grain available on Lantzapalooza Music)
(by Bryant Liggett)
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Lance Cowan now knows both sides of the music business. Working as a publicist for years, he represented some heavy names (Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore) from the Roots world. Yet while working on the paperwork side of music, he was building his own portfolio as an entertainer side. His work on his own stamp on the music business continues to grow with the release of Against the Grain; a sophomore effort ripe for the acoustic Roots world, a breezy wink to California-inspired Country Rock.
Its laidback out of the gate; steel and piano drifting over “One More Chance”, an Eagles-inspired effort straight out of 1970’s era FM radio. That style rolls through the whole release. “I Can’t Stand the Winter” is a call for a past love and a need to ditch the first three months of the year for warmer, and brighter times both in your yard and in your heart. “Ragged Edge of Nothing” has hints of Neil Young’s more Rootsy work, “Old King Coal” is a harmony-heavy working man’s tune that nails the dirty work to support a family, and the title track for Against the Grain has a subtle touch of front-porch twang.
Lance Cowan keeps solid company on the release. Pat Flynn from New Grass Revival (among many others) give solid support to tunes that lyrically dig into love and loneliness, chasing fortune and raising family. This is a record about life and all its grit and glory.
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