LAND OF TALK > Some Are Lakes

Updated:

February 8, 2013 12:47 pm

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Videos by American Songwriter

Label: SADDLE CREEK
[Rating: 3.5]

Circuiting the Canadian underground behind various club guises (Aaron Riches Nuclear Family Band, The Valentines) and testing a solo gig in the late ‘90s, Elizabeth Powell seems to have finally found her foil with Land of Talk. Backed by an air-tight drum-and-bass combo, Powell’s jangly guitar plunges and ear-tweaking vocals-touching on the alien sensualism of Blonde Redhead’s Kazu Makino while firmly rooted in throaty girl punk-are reason enough to put debut Some Are Lakes on the map as more than just a regional Montreal jewel.

With a nimble production from Justin Vernon-the brain behind this year’s self-produced debut from Bon Iver-that highlights Powell’s melodic vocal twirls and breathy melancholy, Some Are Lakes becomes a densely gorgeous pedestal for her voice. Still, such gloss tempers the grit found on their ‘06 EP Applause Cheer Boo Hiss-a seven-track intro to the band sometimes considered a full-length for its hefty duration-with its thrashing, concrete-wall guitar thrusts that give the songs a needed counterbalance. At its best when recalling the art-rock noodling of early Sonic Youth, such as the sloppy chord transitions that lead into “Give Me Back My Heart Attack,” or snappy drums and elastic bass lines on opener “Yuppy Flu,” Powell has an obvious crutch for dropping the sly guitar scribbles when she takes the mic. Far too often, Powell resorts to crunchy rhythm guitar during a chorus in attempt to substitute potency for power chords that turn a lithe, layered idea into something too streamlined to suit the mood. While every song is worth its weight on this tight, ten-song LP, more than half of them are half as good as they ought to be when taking into account the apparent talent this band displays.

When it does manage to achieve that careful stability, though, Some Are Lakes is damn near aching with potential-durable after repeated listens and poised for critical flattery. It’s a shame to see Land of Talk remain under the radar, but they may just have to wait it out awhile longer.