Review Summary: Applause Cheer Boo Hiss is the EP of a Montreal's promising indie band, Land of Talk. Rich of they're great progressions, interesting transitions and catchy riffs, this trio is quite mature for only a debut EP and really worth to be discovered.
Formed in the beginning of the years 2000, this band originated from Montreal released their EP in September 2005 on Dependent Music records. By the times, a lot of indie bands are emerging, but Land of talk definitively got the elements required to distinguish itself from the lot. This energetic trio is fronted by the lovely Elizabeth Powell who was born in Moonstone, Ontario. Basically a violinist, she’s the band guitarist and lead singer, accompany by Bucky at the drums and Chris to the bass, but it is actually Tim Kramer who played the bass lines on the EP.
As soon as the first of these 27 minutes have past, you’ve already got hit by the catchy sound of Land of talk. "Speak to me bones" is the first song on the album and also the heaviest. Even tough their only a trio, they fill up their music to a point that is surprising. There’s a lot of upbeats in their songs, alternatively with drums and guitar. The progression in the first song is brilliantly done, the crescendo beginning with the last repetition of the chorus. The charm of Lizzie’s voice resume in the fact this it is heady without being slushy. "Sea Foam" starts a lot smoother, there’s a lot of upbeat in the chorus witch brings the song to another feeling. The bridge is amazing, and the song ends in a complete different mood then it begins. "Summer special" have a really interesting guitar riff, nothing really complicated but very effective. And that is something that’s very characteristic of LOT: simple things well constructed, effectives and that can be felt. The breakdown on "Breaxxbaxx" is pretty cool.
All songs have been built kind of the same way, but pull in different ways, with different emotions and different intentions that change everything and make us forgive what can be see as first as a lack of creativity. But it really isn’t . "Magnetic Hill" gives off a different feeling, more melancholic, witch isn’t very present on the others tracks. The back vocals are great and bring a lot to the mood of the song. Then starts "All my friend" witch is one of the most enjoyable song of the EP in my opinion. The drum is pretty interesting and I like the harmonies between bass and guitar. Amazing transitions and progressions. The EP ends on a slow track, "Street Wheels", where Elizabeth’s voice takes a great place. I like the reverb on her guitar and the feeling that it gives. This was really the best track to end the EP.
So, overall. I really do suck at making reviews but I hope it won’t influence your opinion of this band, who is truly amazing and worth the listening. I thought it was really a pity that there wasn’t anything about them and this is the reason why I decided to make a review, even tough I’m horrible at it. Land of Talk really have amazing ways to make and bring their progressions, transitions and breakdown, witch are always perfect and very interesting and really bring something deeper to their music. So now, we just need to wait for the album to come out.
I do truly hate myspace with all my heart, but its still one of the easiest way to listen to music, so here's their myspacelink:
http://www.myspace.com/landoftalkmtl
