the tallest man on earth - shallow grave (2008)

The Tallest Man on Earth is the moniker of Kristian Matsson, a folk artist from Sweden. His second release "Shallow Grave" has recently garnered some attention in the states and so here it is for your enjoyment. 

The singer-songwriter genre is often a stale one, but every once and a while a gem emerges. I need to give this record a few more listens but so far I like it, and I'm sure a lot of people will like it much more than I do. The album has very minimalist instrumentation, usually just acoustic guitar and banjo, but Matsson's interesting vocal melodies make up for it.

for fans of: the mountain goats, bob dylan, dirty projectors

the tallest man on earth - shallow grave

ponytail - ice cream spiritual (2008)

Ponytail are a noise-rock band from Baltimore, Maryland.  They play really fun, mathy, noisy music. Their signature sound is defined by trebly fuzzed out guitars and screeching inhuman wails from vocalist Molly Siegel. I really like the songs "Beg Waves" and "Late for School" check, check 'em out.

for fans of: deerhoof, lightning bolt, abe vigoda

ponytail - ice cream spiritual

virgin soil at "this is what I do when I'm not with you"

On Friday Virgin Soil performed at Emerson Experimental Art's hiatus show titled "This is What I Do When I'm Not With You." Here are some photos taken by Dan Muchnik. I also performed a spoken word piece called "So Sick." 

MissingNo. - The Clatson Winic (2007)

I linked to this band's myspace from my friend Harrison's, they are very, very cool. MissingNo, yes named after the "pokemon" we all know and love, create cool electronica, IDM, lo-fi stuffz, whatever you want to call it. Their stuff is pretty damn catchy and I love it.

sounds like: the books, dan deacon, prefuse 73

MissingNo. - The Clatson Winic

owen - at home with owen (2006)

Owen is the musical project of Mike Kinsella, you know, brother of Tim Kinsella. 

He has been in bands like Cap'n Jazz, Joan of Arc, Owls, American Football, blah blah blah, you get it. You know that Kinsella brothers. You probably know Owen, or you should. 

Owen is a singer songwriter project, but trust me, it's so much different than that! Owen's music really relies on really lush, interesting instrumentation and honest lyrics. A lot of Owen songs have these really interesting acoustic guitar hooks that just get me so excited! Mike Kinsella's voice is soft and fluid (unlike his brother, el oh el!) in fact though, his voice is almost too perfect. Generally I don't like vocalists as much that sing too well, I prefer imperfections as they seem more honest. But Owen's music is already so honest anyway, I can look past that, and I mean, Kinsella is a VERY good vocalist. 

Just listen to the lyrics of "The Sad Waltzes of Pietro Crespi" or "Bags of Bones" and you will know what I mean. Even the tiny guitar solo on "A Bird in Hand" has SO much feeling to it. You can feel Mike Kinsella in every saturated note.

sounds like: owls, kevin devine, copeland

Owen - At Home With Owen