Album Review of
The Heart, The Time, The Pen

Written by Robert Silverstein
January 10, 2020 - 12:00am EST
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Contemporary country-rock with an edge, The Heart, The Time, The Pen is the 2019 CD release by Pennsylvania-based band called Crow vs Lion. Featuring the music of singer-songwriter Dan Gallagher, the album is divided into three sections as delineated in the album title. While there may be a country music side to it, the 13-track CD is very much a rock-based album. A wide range of musicians assist Dan’s music and vocals including keyboardist Raphael Cutrufello, who also handles the co-production along with Dan. Electric guitarist Brad Hinton also adds in lap steel giving the songs a country twang effect while a couple drummers add muscle to several tracks here. Dan’s sons, Danny and Dylan also appear on talking and singing on some tracks. The CD is superbly packaged and the CD booklet features all the song lyrics and a range of b&w pic of Dan and his family. There’s very much of a homespun type effect, yet there’s a number of sonic effects added so the songs work on a number of levels. Although rooted in the 21st century anti-folk movement, fans of Dylan and late period Byrds / Burrito Brothers, as well as a number of contemporary pop-rock artists will find this 2019 album by Crow vs Lion to be a deeply personal listening experience.