In amongst festival gigs, and before performing to 18,000 at Copredy in August, Show of Hands recorded their next studio album Lie of the Land (Isis 1995, Hands On Music 1996). O’Farrell producing, plugged the instruments straight into the desk to capture a pared down 'live' sound. Released in October '95, the album received 4-stars and a 'startlingly good' from Q, becoming their folk record of the year in '96. "Mojo" said the album created "a powerful, fresh sounding music with both integrity and widespread appeal" whilst "The Telegraph" was moved to mention Show of Hands' "formidable partnership".