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.
The Man Who Breaks Things
Land of Talk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
that's a bad i disbelieve
and the words just sad stroke
through the crowd and the smoke
they gave you twenty three
breath made in heartache
cause i made up my misses
and you'll always be the man who breaks things
since when does the soul of the song
does the cracks in the walls
then build a sadder world?
do they make dirty friends
do they take a glimpse
and come and soften her
breath paid in heartache
and i barely was drawn in
cause i made up my misses
and you'll always be the man who breaks things
In the first verse of Land of Talk's song The Man Who Breaks Things, we hear the father of the singer telling him to turn down his music. The singer responds with confusion as to whether the volume level is the actual issue or if his father simply disapproves of the music itself. The words of the song then "stroke through the crowd and the smoke," suggesting that they are being performed live in a smoky, crowded space. The singer notes that "they gave you twenty three," which could mean a variety of things - perhaps it's the number of people in the audience, the price of the concert ticket, or something else entirely. The breath of the singer is "made in heartache," suggesting that he is struggling with some sort of emotional pain.
In the second verse, the singer questions whether the cracks in the walls of the venue contribute to the overall sadness of the world. He wonders if the people who come to see live music are linked by their own pain, and whether that pain perpetuates itself through connections with other people. The singer then notes that he "made up my misses," suggesting that he fabricated memories of a past relationship that he misses. He then asserts that the performer will "always be the man who breaks things," suggesting that his music taps into those painful emotions and exacerbates them.
Overall, The Man Who Breaks Things is a poignant exploration of the connection between music and emotion, and the way that live music can tap into feelings of pain and heartache.
Line by Line Meaning
he said son turn it down is it ten
He told me to lower the volume, wondering if it's at the highest level
that's a bad i disbelieve
I cannot believe he believes it's too loud
and the words just sad stroke
The lyrics sound depressing and strike a chord
through the crowd and the smoke
Amidst the chaos and haze, the words are still clear
they gave you twenty three
At an early age, life has already taken a toll on you
breath made in heartache
Every breath you take is filled with pain
and i barely was drawn in
I was almost uninterested
cause i made up my misses
I have already dealt with my own regrets
and you'll always be the man who breaks things
You will always be the one who destroys everything around you
since when does the soul of the song
When did the essence of music involve breaking apart?
does the cracks in the walls
Do the imperfections in life create a more depressing world?
then build a sadder world?
Do they create a world that is only filled with sadness?
do they make dirty friends
Do they attract negative companions?
do they take a glimpse
Do they offer a brief glimpse of hope?
and come and soften her
And lessen the pain she feels
Contributed by Jackson T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Urgasch Kurto
it's quite difficult to express how deep this song can go within one's inner self..
Zen Jenga
Agreed.
Many of her songs do that to me. She's my favourite since Cobain.
Josh Hana
Perfect. I've listened to this song a billion times, and I still can't get enough
Shane Orange
this song is so awesome... it mixes Jeff Buckley's "So Real" and "Witches' Rave" with a lovely female lead...
Ernest D'Amaso
These guys are one of the best bands to emerge this decade. Some Are Lakes is an excellent album with such an organically wholesome feel to it. Can't wait til they play NYC!
Abraham Cloud
hats off the Petros , Fantastic work, perfect marriage of music and image
John Grunwell
The new Land of Talk album comes out tomorrow, May 19th.
Zen Jenga
Get all three and the EPs. One of the few bands out there that I can listen to their entire albums and not skip any songs.
anUnkindnessvideo
Listened to this song like 20 times now. Should really pick up the cd.
anUnkindnessvideo
<33333333 Love it.