Village Indian

Lovin' Me Some Land of Talk

MP3 Masala: Land of Talk - "Speak To Me Bones"

I soldiered my way through some nasty rain a few weeks back to get down to Land of Talk's KEXP in studio, only to find that I miscalculated their start time and missed the set. Damned Pacific Time. I ended up seeing a great Elvis Perkins set (more on that later), but I was inconsolably devastated by missing Lizzy Powell and crew do their thing.

I ran into them at the coffee shop across the street from Gigantic Studios. I moped. They mentioned the evening set at Merc, and I moped some more. "I have to see The Roots tonight," I whined. Yeah, tough life. But suddenly I couldn't care less about Black Thought, or Mos Def and his lyrically handsomeness.

Funny how things work out. My friend with Roots tickets was laid up on Mass Pike, never to make it to Radio City. And Land of Talk was good enough to walk me into Mercury.

Look out for my review and pics in the usual places. I'll just say that this band -- and their EP -- may just be my favorite of 2006. See them 6/28 @ Mercury Lounge. Hit Myspace for a few more MP3s.

[Side Note: Recognize the picture on LOT's homepage? No? Take a looky here. One of your favorite bands using your pics? Delicious.]

PRIOR TALK

VI Songs
VI Spotlight: Land of Talk

VI Songs

Pronounced "Six Songs." Just a little aggregate list of tunes that refuse to leave my ears as of late. No real criteria to make the cut, aside from being a fall-back song on my massive iPod.

I.  Pela - "The Trouble With River Cities" 
Since I just wrote about how much I love this track, I'll just list it. Number one. Go see 'em at the Delancey on May 12th. 
Prior Pela - MP3 Masala

II.  Beirut - "Postcards From Italy"
Of everything I've heard this year, Beirut's Gulag Orkestar is one of the few albums I think I'll be spinning for months -- maybe years -- to come. Pitchfork weighed in on the track, giving a stellar 4.5/5 star review and noting the Rufus influence. (Thank you, Pforkers and Gothamist: I was beginning to feel crazy!) Great stuff in store for this precocious 19-year-old. We'll be seeing him this week at the Knit.   
Prior Beirut - MP3 Masala: Beirut | Rufus Wainwright

III.  Land of Talk - "Breaxxbaxx"
Elizabeth Powell shines on this cut from the band's Applause Cheer Boo Hiss EP. Amazing vocal tone, amazing guitar tone, a mix of urgency and indifference. I know, that's a contradictory statement. Just listen.
Prior Talk - VI Spotlight: Land of Talk

IV.  Joseph Arthur - "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out"
These days, all I ask from my lyricists are words that don't distract me from the song. And then there's Morrissey. Joseph Arthur's take on this Smiths classic -- with lines that wash in waves -- is a gorgeous testament to the Mopefather's genius. Let's hear it for Moz!

V.  Awesome New Republic - "Wheels, No Engines"
ANR went to music school with my brother. I've been amazed to chart their progress over the past few years. This is Pitchfork-approved A.D.D. laptop rock with great vocals and real emotion. Here's hoping B Rob and MJ are still planning a move to NYC.
Prior ANR - VI Spotlight: Awesome New Republic

VI.  Sunset Rubdown - "The Men Are Called Horsemen There"
Spencer Krug shone at the recent Wolf Parade show at Webster, and the new record by his project Sunset Rubdown is masterful. I love the sweeping oddity of his compositions. This track is as sprawling as it is beautiful. The man is fast becoming a personal favorite.

VI Spotlight: Land of Talk

Like Jeff, the band that's buzzing around in my ears between naps is Land of Talk.  I had a few of their tracks on the iPod for a few days leading up to Movable Hype, but seeing them – and getting their 7-song EP Applause Cheer Boo Hiss – has made me a babbling addict.  Lizzy has one of those effortlessly piercing, pristine voices that sound right at home over fuzzy guitar chords, born of suspended chordal tones and chunky grooves.  Land of Talk shares that Montreal postal code that so many bands have made oh-so-hip, but this trio is doing something different: stripped of layered arrangements, a winning blend of immediately appealing vocals, bass-drum atmospherics and chordal complexity. 

MP3 Masala: Land of Talk - "Breaxxbaxx"
MP3 Masala: Land of Talk - "Seafoam"

Grab two more MP3s at their Myspace.  Picture from their convincing -- if somewhat sedated -- set at Movable Hype on Monday.  A few more after the jump.