When compiling an album, some bands choose a mood and affix themselves to it while others explore a range of emotions. Land of Talk’s first full-length album, Some Are Lakes, takes listeners through a variety of atmospheres but doesn’t push any buttons. The album is enjoyable to listen to with an assortment of different moods but unfortunately does not surprise listeners with anything too unexpected.
Land of Talk (of Montreal, Quebec) is made up of vocalist, songwriter and guitarist Elizabeth Powell, bassist Chris McCarron and Andrew Barr on the drums. Some Are Lakes was produced by Saddle Creek, which also turned out Neva Dinova and Tokyo Police Club. Consistent with Land of Talk’s 2006 seven-track album, Applause Cheer Boo Hiss (longer than an EP but not considered full-length), Powell’s voice is laid back but implication-filled and dominates every track. Alternative bands with solely a female lead vocalist are few and far between, and Land of Talk is unique in that aspect.
Powell’s words roll into each other, and the lyrics are not always clearly understood, yet she never sounds indifferent. “Lived your life in sacrifice is what you did/ And I don’t think a rose or ‘raise a toast’ seems to fit/ I still get scared of fate, and interstates, and death by fire/ It’s just the longest time, the longest line of heart’s desire,” Powell sings in “Death By Fire.”
The band mirrors Powell’s lyrics well and switches effortlessly from dancing-in-the-sunshine (“Some are Lakes”) to get-out-of-my-face mode (“Give Me Back My Heart Attack”).
Although Land of Talk’s flexibility is made clear on the album, some tracks belong more on a soundtrack for a romantic film than on this album (see: “dancing-in-the-sunshine”).
“We’ve seen how sick we were/ But I’ve got you for my life/ And I’ll love you like I’ll love you when I die,” Powell sings.
The happy-go-lucky nature of tracks like “Some Are Lakes” stand in stark contrast to the rest of the album, which has an uneasy indie-alternative feel. This variety keeps the listener guessing with each track.
Things get spiced up in “The Man Who Breaks Things (Dark Shuffle)” as Powell sings, “Breath made in heartache/ And I barely was drawn in/ ‘Cause I made up my misses/ And you’ll always be the man who breaks things.” The electric guitar and percussion govern the mysterious melody of the track.
Although the ambiance varies from song to song, the use of instruments do not. Powell’s unique voice may be showcased more with a variation to the bass, guitar, drum and occasional piano on Some Are Lakes. The fifth track, “Give Me Back My Heart Attack,” is a happy exception to this as the band is given free reign in an upbeat, catchy song that plays up both vocals and the ensemble.
The closing track, “Troubled” — which the Saddle Creek website reports was recorded at Justin Vernon of Bon Iver’s parents’ home in Eau Claire — has a soothing lullaby feel, with only an acoustic guitar backing Powell’s voice at the beginning of the song. “Make wrong things right/ and get down to their level/ ‘Cause bad things just aren’t bigger than you,” Powell sings as an unidentified male voice harmonizes peacefully to end the album.
Overall, Some Are Lakes is a fun listen. Powell’s voice is engaging, and there is considerable variety within the album. Land of Talk would do well to experiment more with their sound and strive for those “where is this song going?” moments with the instrumentals.
3 1/2 stars out of 5
