Land Of Talk: Cloak And Cipher

Land Of Talk
Cloak And Cipher
Saddle Creek Records [2010]









Fire Note Says: Land Of Talk expand their sound and recruit tons of talent for their sophomore record Cloak And Cipher.

Album Review:
Elizabeth Powell has one of those voices that engages you from her first lyric. On Land Of Talk's sophomore record, Cloak And Cipher, her vocals get a boost from the overall more electric vibe running through the album's core. Land Of Talk also recruit tons of their Canadian brethern for this album, as it features special guests Patrick Watson, members of Stars, Silver Mount Zion Band, Wintersleep, Besnard Lakes, Esmerine and Arcade Fire. With that elite grouping, Cloak And Cipher never fails to please. This album also incorporates more expansive songs, which actually has a ten minute longer running time for its 10 tracks compared to the ten on Some Are Lakes [2008]. This has both positive and negative effects on Cloak And Cipher, as several tracks like "Swift Coin" use the extra space to include some really great guitar riffs, while a song like "Playita" repeats a chorus too many times. It is a balance that with some refinement next go around will work itself out, as the lasting impression here is truly a plus. Land Of Talk have released their most mature album to date and the expansion of instrumentation is a match to Powell's strong vocals making Cloak And Cipher a must for fans and a record that should attract plenty of new listeners!

Key Tracks: "Goodtime Exposure", "Swift Coin", "Hamburg, Noon"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Stars
Ivy
Metric

Land Of Talk: Some Are Lakes [Fire Note Review 11/12/08]
Land Of Talk: Applause, Cheer, Boo, Hiss EP [Fire Note Review 3/30/07]

Official Land Of Talk Website
Land Of Talk MySpace
Land Of Talk Facebook
Saddle Creek Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony