Swedish folk artist Kristian Matsson channels Bob Dylan and John Fahey to great effect on this debut album. But somehow, channeling these two artists plants The Tallest Man on Earth firmly in the neofolk movement, with lyrics that are less stories of injustice and more reflections on life and nature. Matsson is so good at his craft, and his songwriting so strong, that it's a lot easier to move past the comparisons given his voice, and into just pure enjoyment of the album, which sounds dated, lo-fi, and well, natural. This isn't a Benoit Pioulard or a Bibio where the organic feeling of the record actually comes from some electronic manipulation; it's more likely that Shallow Grave was recorded in Matsson's backyard than a studio. And that's how it should sound. Mattson may be from the Nordic region, but he's nailed American folk better than most, and with a charm and efforvescence I haven't heard in a while.

Style: Folk

RIYL: Bob Dylan, John Fahey

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Download: Shallow Grave

Tags See All Tags

2008  Bob Dylan  Folk  Gravitation  John Fahey  Shallow Grave  The Tallest Man on Earth  onecaseman 

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