First off, let me introduce myself: I’m Michael and I’m a DJ at one of Hamburg’s finest indie rock clubs, Molotow. From now on, I will introduce you to one of my favorite records in each issue of tba. I will mostly concentrate on records that I think are very under¬rated which most people have never even heard of be¬cause they never got the critical acclaim they deserve.
So let’s get started.
This month I’d like to present Some Are Lakes (2008, Saddle Creek Records) by Canadian indie rock trio Land Of Talk. The band formed in Montreal in 2006 and so far has released two albums and two EPs. I first came across Land of Talk when I saw them support The Boxer Rebellion on their first German tour in 2008. Some Are Lakes is the band’s first full-length album and was produced by Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. The songs on this record are full of insecurity, vulnerability and hope.
Singer Elizabeth Powell manages to somehow carry a sense of subtle resentment towards the topics she sings about. At moments, her voice has a certain angelic quality to it, while only seconds later, you might be hit in the face with her hatred towards cer¬tain people or situations. This is what makes the record so special, you can listen to it while taking a stroll through your local park and enjoy the more quiet and calm songs (“It’s Okay”, “Troubled”) while looking at leaves falling off trees, but if you feel more like having a run, just skip one or two songs and you’ll find heavy guitars (“Corner Phone”, “The Man Who Breaks Things (Dark Shuffle)”).
While Powell’s straight-forward lyrics and honesty have al¬ways been the main reason for me to come back to this record, let’s not forget about her playfulness on the gui¬tar, Andrew Barr’s tight and powerful drums and Chris McCarron’s sometimes haunting basslines. All three of them are very talented musicians who were presumably inspired by bands like Sonic Youth, Arcade Fire, American folk music and early college rock like R.E.M.. All in all, it’s a perfect record for the cold season because, while setting the mood for a quiet night with hot cocoa and a great book, it always manages to pull you out of your winter lethargy just when you need it. I’m already looking forward to listening to it while walking through the snow as the sun sets over Hamburg. I highly recommend you give it a spin as well. Welcome to my musical world.
Michael Nolte
