Land of Talk's debut EP, Applause Cheer Boo Hiss, was released in April 2006, and featured Chris McCarron on bass and Bucky Wheaton on drums. Wheaton left the band in May 2007 and was replaced by Eric Thibodeau. Thibodeau left in early 2008, and was replaced by Andrew Barr (of The Slip). McCarron left to play guitar for The Dears and was replaced by Joe Yarmush.
The band released their full-length debut, Some Are Lakes, on Saddle Creek Records in September 2008. They opened for Broken Social Scene on their fall 2008 tour.
On October 27th, 2009 the band released Fun and Laughter EP under Saddle Creek Records. This album was released prior to their short west coast tour that began in San Diego on October 27th and ended in Vancouver, B.C. on November 7th the same year. This showcased four songs.
The band's fourth album, Cloak and Cipher, debuted August 24, 2010 on Saddle Creek Records. After touring for the album for a while, the band was completely shrouded in mystery, no trace of them could be found. Their official website was replaced but they were/are still listed on the official website of the label. It was only in 2013, when the band manager confirmed a hiatus.
On April 25, 2015, Powell played her first show since 2011 at the Roots North Music Festival in Orillia, Ontario. On December 5, the band social media pages were updated for the first time in four years.
Death by Fire
Land of Talk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No surprise, the coldest eyes that took all
Giving up a life worth leading tears us down
The longest time, the longest line ever found
Lived your life in sacrifice is what you did
And I don't think a rose or raise a toast seems to fit
I still get scared of fate, and interstates and death by fire
Didn't I tell you there was no such thing as a bad, bad day?
Oh baby, even if there was i wouldn't believe it anyway
One poison, two poison, three boys and it's not known for sure
It's just the coldest eyes and no surprise and that's not pure
I still get scared of fate and interstates and death by fire
It's just the longest time, the longest line of heart's desire
Didn't I tell you there was no such thing as a bad, bad day?
Oh baby, even if there was I wouldn't believe it anyway
The song Death By Fire by Land of Talk seems to be a reflection on the idea of sacrificing oneself for the greater good. The lyrics suggest that giving up a life worth leading ultimately leads to everyone's demise. The person speaking in the song seems to be addressing someone who lived their life in sacrifice, which is commendable, but the singer feels that no amount of praise or celebration can truly capture the significance of their actions. However, the singer also admits to being scared of fate, interstates, and death by fire, which could suggest that they fear the consequences of mortality and the unknown that comes with it.
The repeated lines of "it's just the longest time, the longest line of heart's desire" could refer to the journey of life and the various paths people take to fulfill their desires, no matter the length of time it takes. The reference to "one poison, two poison, three boys," while unclear in meaning, could be interpreted as a metaphor for the toxic attitudes and behaviors that can harm individuals and society as a whole.
Line by Line Meaning
Giving up a life worth leading kills us all
Abandoning the dream life that we thought was worth living, affects all aspects of our existence
No surprise, the coldest eyes that took all
It is not shocking that the person with the hardest heart makes the biggest impact
Giving up a life worth leading tears us down
Letting go of the fervor, tenacity and passion towards our life goals pushes us down
The longest time, the longest line ever found
The race we run towards our aspirations is the most persistent, never-ending and prominent one
Lived your life in sacrifice is what you did
You devoted everything for the sake of achieving your aims
And I don't think a rose or raise a toast seems to fit
No mere gift or token of appreciation can suffice your effort and dedication
I still get scared of fate, and interstates and death by fire
I am still terrified of what the universe has in store, of going down the wrong path or encountering death by fire
It's just the longest time, the longest line of heart's desire
My yearning for my aspirations is the most protracted and continuous longing that exists
Didn't I tell you there was no such thing as a bad, bad day?
I told you that even in the most unfavorable situation, life is still worthwhile
Oh baby, even if there was i wouldn't believe it anyway
Even if a truly bad or horrific day happened, I would still not abandon my optimism
One poison, two poison, three boys and it's not known for sure
Uncertainty brews around the possible reasons for the gruesome incidence involving three boys' deaths
It's just the coldest eyes and no surprise and that's not pure
The eyes of the perpetrator are devoid of warmth and sensitivity, and the act could not have been entirely unexpected
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Elizabeth Powell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind