AMG Review of Cloak and Cipher

Heather Phares
All Music Guide

Land of Talk takes another step away from its raw roots with Cloak and Cipher, with songs and vocals that are downright lush and lavish. Singer/guitarist Elizabeth Powell is joined not only by a new rhythm section, bassist Joseph Yarmush and drummer Andrew Barr, but a host of friends that just happen to be Canadian indie-rock luminaries. The Besnard Lakes’ Jace Lasek contributes an ornate string arrangement to “Goal Time Exposure”, while Arcade Fire’s Jeremy Gara drums on the expansive “Quarry Hymns.” With an all-star cast like this, it’s not surprising that Cloak and Cipher is beautifully played and layered: the title track and “Better and Closer” have every note in place and are never less than pretty. Meanwhile, “Swift Coin” and “Color Me Badd” bring urgency to the album, while the jazzy, Metric-like “Hamburg, Noon” and “Blangee Blee” show just how well Land of Talk balance delicacy and rock power. “The Hate I Won’t Commit,” with its guitar onslaughts and sudden stops and starts, proves that Powell and company can still surprise.