Some Are Lakes
by Land of Talk
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Alternative Press
    50
    The Montreal group's full-length debut, Some Are Lakes, frustratingly lacks that energy, as well as "Boo's" memorable afterglow. [Nov 2008, p.155]
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  2. Drowned In Sound
    70
    Some Are Lakes is a record that grows in stature with repeated listens, whispering more of its secrets under the still blanket of late nights.
  3. Lost At Sea
    90
    Far removed from the desolation I feel surrounded by, Land of Talk's first full-length album's sense of hope, grounded in realism, is at once reassuring and encouraging.
  5. Mojo
    80
    With her flinty guitar growling eloquent melodies and stricken solos, the group rock with a primal sensitivity akin to early Throwing Muses, but it's Powell's voice that's their truly irresistible element. [Nov 2008, p.118]
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  6. NOW Magazine
    60
    Ultimately, LOT’s songs will dictate their trajectory, and principal songwriter Liz Powell sounds mostly up to the task.
  7. Pitchfork
    69
    As violent, plaintive, and ultimately conflicted as anything she's already written ("I know how to kill but I hate how it feels."), many of Powell's lyrical sketches are of the blood red, open-heart-surgery variety, a word set her producer knows well.
  8. PopMatters
    70
    Though the album works overall, considering how much she dominates it--to say nothing of the constant roster changes and some recent singular success in the form of joining Broken Social Scene--you have to wonder if Powell wouldn’t be better off on her own.
  9. Prefix Magazine
    80
    The wonder of Some Are Lakes is the fact that such arguably masculine instrumentation goes such a long way to buoy Powell's lady vocals. Neither takes a backseat, and the combination feels way natural.
  10. Rolling Stone
    70
    Produced by Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, cuts like 'Yuppy Flu' and 'It's Okay' are steeped in morbid imagery, but Powell's passionate delivery makes this set life-affirming.
  11. Spin
    80
    This Montreal group's first full-length features a slightly brighter, looser sound than their wonderfully sludgy 2006 EP, perhaps due to the input of Justin Vernon (a.k.a. folkie marvel Bon Iver), who coproduced with the band.
  12. The New York Times
    80
    Elizabeth Powell, the lead singer of this three-piece Montreal indie-rock band, sounds marvelously self-assured on Some Are Lakes, its reverberant full-length debut.
  13. Tiny Mix Tapes
    60
    Despite Andrew Barr’s attempt to develop new rhythmic ideas in every song, the tracks tend to bleed together, impairing each song’s distinctiveness.
  14. Under The Radar
    60
    Wrapping her melodies around her stabbed guitar in 'Give Me Back My Heart Attack' creates a wonderful effect, and the slow sway of 'It’s Okay' entrances. [Fall 2008, p.86]
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  15. Village Voice
    80
    Like her game soprano, which breaks apart with the same lucid strength it sometimes uses to soar with trepidation, Land of Talk's music unleashes its own aggressive logic.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. Ricko
    Oct 14, 2021
    7
    A good mix of sweet vocals backed by muddy guitars, "Some Are Lakes" has plenty to satisfy the lover of indie music. The influences are wornA good mix of sweet vocals backed by muddy guitars, "Some Are Lakes" has plenty to satisfy the lover of indie music. The influences are worn on the sleeve but there is enough originality to keep me coming back. It arguably lacks truly killer songs but instead is an album that could be described as a solid collection. "Death By Fire" and the title track were the highlights for me but overall well worth multiple listens.… Full Review »
  2. DannyV
    Oct 24, 2008
    9
    Land of Talk opened for a Broken Social Scene concert I attended a couple weeks ago. Hadn't heard of the band before, but they were a Land of Talk opened for a Broken Social Scene concert I attended a couple weeks ago. Hadn't heard of the band before, but they were a very nice treat. Gotta love the hotbed of talent coming out of Montreal. Picked up the album and was not disappointed.… Full Review »
  3. ders
    Oct 22, 2008
    9
    Beautiful vocals. A little like an indie Edie Brickell Mezmorizing, raw backing tracks. Brilliant.
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