The third week of Salt Lake City's Twilight Concert Series was the finest treat of the series, bringing together Canadian rockers Land of Talk and M. Ward, who I'll write about a bit later. For now, lets focus on Land of Talk, whose hour long set was the finest opening set of any act I've seen at the TCS. The performance was primarily tracks from their 2008 album Some are Lakes - a really nice disc that I hadn't heard going into the show, but purchased at the end of the night.The thing that most impressed me with LoT's performance was just how well this trio can play. They're great musicians and their studio releases don't show just how good they actually are. The band was tight and together, but loose enough to allow for some really nice improv moments that made me smile. The band also exchanged smiles as each person would insert their own spontaneous contribution to the songs. Their straight forward, perhaps simple style, punctuated and accented by improvisation proved that a little does go a long ways.
Elizabeth also managed a good balance between jamming and talking. She was out to have a good time and chat it up, commenting on how awesome it is for Salt Lake to have a free festival like the TCS (which we in this artistic black hole are ever aware of and grateful for), but she also knew that the best of times comes from kickin out the jams. And jam they did, giving the strongest opening performance that I've seen at the TCS. (For me, the next closest performance was The Fiery Furnaces's wild frenzy of an opener for Yo La Tengo in 2007.) The band also didn't seem to mind the weird beach balls, and blow-up tropical island animals & trees flying around, sometimes ending up on stage. I guess they were just glad they weren't beer bottles and the like flying at them. It was just a good time all around.
So, Land of Talk, thanks for coming and putting on a great show.
