Applause Cheer Boo Hiss
One Little Indian
Album Review

Rock of the highest order, recalling the heady heyday of female pop-grunge (think Juliana Hatfield, Belly, or maybe more recently even Gemma Hayes, when she lets go instead of getting all sentimental). Applause Cheer Boo Hiss is the debut album from Montreal band Land of Talk, a three-piece that has grown from singer-songwriter Elizabeth Powell to the most delicious indie - like The Cardigans mixed with some Dinosaur Jr grunge, Land of Talk deliver hooky melody, huge choruses and sexy listenability.

The music doesn't just ride the great female lead vocals, it delivers real songs underneath - like one of rock's greatest losses, Jen Trynin, the guitars have an angularity, with a witty, intelligent lyric. No song outstays its welcome, the production leaves the intensity in. There is no doubt that this band should be big - even if the world only has room for one female rock act, this album is a strong argument for Land of Talk's right to that space.

No PJ Harvey, Cat Power, or Duke Spirit album is as consistently compelling. Applause is a wonderful, uplifting piece of work - you'll only need to hear Sea Form or Magnetic Hill to get swept up in it. Album of the week.

4.5/5

Mike Rea