Welcome to the first Adopt This Album post. Aside from writing reviews for new music and giving shout outs to new bands that we are listening to, we wanted a section to pay homage to albums that are mainstays in our musical rotation. So, if you haven’t already heard any of the albums or artists that we will post in this section, we hope you will check them out and give them a chance. Here we go…
Land of Talk – Cloak and Cipher
(Saddle Creek 2010)
I’ll be honest, when I listen to music there are very few times that I will actually set my iPod to shuffle mode. If I do it is because I genuinely cannot decide what to listen to, never really because I want to be surprised by what may play next. I would go as far as to say that I am a very emotional music listener. I tend to listen to heavy music when I am angry, something poppy and upbeat when I am happy, hip-hop when I want to party and yes, I listen to sad, sappy, slow music when I feel down.
Without trying to be too deep, or super “Emo” about the whole topic, I tend to listen to what I would say is the most meaningful music in my collection when I am feeling apathetic. Land of Talk’s sophomore release Cloak and Cipher is one such album. It is the type of record I listen to because of it’s ability to take me on ride of the whole emotional spectrum and take me out that apathetic funk. It can take me from happy to sad and everything in between in under an hour.
Land of Talk is a Canadian trio from Montreal led by singer and guitarist, Elizabeth Powell.
The band formed in 2006 and is rounded out by bassist Joseph Yarmush and drummer Andrew Barr. While all members compliment one another, Powell is obviously the heart and soul of the band. Her riffs are minimalist while being unique and complicated at the same time. And the woman’s voice is just downright gorgeous and seducing.
The band has released a pair each of EP’s and LP’s, Cloak and Cipher being the latest. I may be alone on this one, but it is easily my favorite of their records. It has contributions from members of The Arcade Fire, Stars as well as many other bands. I knew when I first heard the track “Blangee Blee” that I was instantly hooked. It still remains my most listened to cut of the record. The song’s guitar solo gives me the chills every time I listen to it. Be sure to check out other stand out tracks such as “Swift Coin”, “Playita” and “The Hate I Won’t Commit”. Hell, seriously listen to the whole damn thing. You’ll like it, I promise.
I couldn’t live with myself If I didn’t tell you to listen to the standout track from the band’s debut album Some Are Lakes, “It’s Okay”. That song is just down right haunting.
