Indier Than Thou: Land of Talk - Applause, Cheer, Boo, Hiss

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Land of Talk - Applause, Cheer, Boo, Hiss

There isn't much press available for Montreal's Land of Talk, but what little there is has compared them to both Tokyo Police Club and Cold War Kids. The energy of the former and the interesting melodies and leads of the latter make the references meaningful, but a more revealing comparison is with early Cat Power. On first listen, Elizabeth Powell's vocals are just as startling as Chan Marshall's were and continue to be.

Her self-proclaimed "anti-folk basement rock" sounds like one of those genre titles mercilessly mocked in "indier than thou" parodies, but it does mean something. These are not folk songs, and this is definitely rock. I saw the band open in April for Wintersleep, who they blew out of the water. Unfortunately, virtually no one was there to witness it, and this band is deserving of so much more critical acclaim.

If the Applause, Cheer, Boo, Hiss EP is any indication, the forthcoming full length record will be very good. For a trio, Land of Talk pack a lot of clever hooks into their music, and mercilessly thrash out choruses when need be. The melody of "Speak to Me Bones" sneaks up on you, lodges itself in your head, and won't stop shaking, while the quick key change is still surprising on repeated listenings. "All My Friends" is the catchiest track, with Powell's almost mournful voice coupled with upbeat lyrics. The quick tempo and muddy guitar lines nicely compliment the cheerful chorus: “fucking around, pretending there's a problem. Figure it out.” The driving beat and rhythms on "Summer Special" and "Breaxxbaxx" are provided courtesy of Bucky Wheaton (drums, back vocals) and Chris McCarron (bass, back vocals), and give the record a solid spine.

The thing I find really strange about reviews of female artists or female fronted bands, from Beth Orton to Liz Phair, is that male and female reviewers alike feel compelled by some unspoken law of criticism to mention how "sexy" the vocals are, how "sexy" the artist is or how it is impossible to pin down what property it is that makes the band so "sexy". With no disrespect to the physical appearance of the band members, this record is not about being sexy, unless I have seriously misunderstood the track "Magnetic Hill" ("I need help with direction.") It's much more about capturing the feeling of loneliness in all its multifarious guises. Then again, I suppose you could find anything, including loneliness, sexy. That would make you a bit of a sexual predator, but maybe you are ok with that.
-kit

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2 Comments:

Blogger Mosey said...

hey, sounds like I would like to visit this "Land of Talk"...

9:56 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yeah, there is something mysteriously addictive about this album and the band. I can't quite figure it out. Comparisons to other bands don't really do them justice. There's something unique and inspired here. I have yet to see them play in person, but it's good to hear they're so strong live. cheers.

5:39 PM  

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