Review: Tallest Man on Earth, The Wild Hunt

 

The Tallest Man on Earth

The Wild Hunt

8.6 on a 10-Point Scale

I’m sorry for eavesdropping, but did you say you were looking for a Swedish folk artist that sounds sort of like Bob Dylan minus the harmonica, but with more guitar glissandos, and with a Scandanavian name that ends with –sson?  Oh… Sorry… I misheard you… Here’s the salt.  But in case you were wondering, The Tallest Man on Earth, the stage name for Kristian Matsson, is a great acoustic folk artist that you will be sure to enjoy.  He may not sound celestial, but his voice meets the genre perfectly.  Musically, his vocal lines are flowing, but at the same time are somewhat predictable. On the poetic end, his lyrics and mystifying and can keep a stoned-out coffee shop crowd scratching their heads (excluding his tracks that are narrative).  The guitar music?  Finger pickin’ good!  There are only so many chords to play, and he works his hardest to change up the chords (contrary to his previous album) and alters both the pitch and rhythm using arpeggios in the guitar lines and different combinations of rhythms.  However, despite this attempt at diversity, most of the songs are in a standard 4/4-meter that restricts him.  Is this being rough? Don’t a lot of other artists use common time as well? Of course.  But it’s much more obvious and stands out more when their isn’t much variation among the instrumentation.  In the track Kids on the Run, however, he changes it up and brings in the ol’ piano.  Unfortunately though, the effects on the piano force the listener to ask herself whether or not The Tallest Man on Earth realizes that the piano is out of tune.  I, now classifying myself as a rough critic, understand that it may be the effect he is going for, but musically it simply creates many minor dissonances that would keep the listener much happier if they were left out. 
The mood of the music however is redeeming, some songs invoke joy while others summon malaise.  It doesn’t take much for me to laugh and cry (Win a Date with Tad Hamilton [the movie] made me do both), but this album definitely is something you can get lost in. 

It makes you laugh. It makes you cry. It makes you tap for your footsies.  It makes you question the reality you live in.  More importantly, it’ll help you appreciate folk music once again. 

In Sum:
Pros: Good lyrics, awesome mood, like his voice, finger pickin’ is well done
Cons: Songs too similar (except for the favorites), minor musical problems on a few of the tracks.

Plus, he’s not even the tallest man on earth… everyone knows Robert Pershing Wadlow, at 8 feet 11.1 inches was.  Duh

Favorite Tracks: The Wild Hunt, You’re Going Back, King of Spain, Kids on the Run

-- Alex Podkul
"Nothing but a G-O-D Thang," Tuesdays 2-4 pm on WGTB

Consider Yourself Warned

If the Real Estate concert in Bulldog Alley last night said anything, it was that The Hood Internet is going to be so much fun I may need freak out control. The Music Board Directors, being the kind and generous folk that we are, wanted to let you all know that this show will sell out. Tomorrow is probably going to be your last chance to get the few tickets that are left, so please go to Red Square tomorrow from 11:30-3:00 and make it happen for only $3!

In The Studio with Jamie McLean Band

The Jamie McLean Band stopped by WGTB studios Friday afternoon to play some tunes and chat with DJ Caroline Klibanoff about their new album Completely, their show tonight at the Strathmore in Bethesda (check it out!), the benefits of touring (barbecue, ladies, Five Guys) and their beef with ridiculously-named bands (Alabama Thunderpussy, here's looking at you). Listen to the full interview below, and grab a copy of their record at their website.

In-Studio with Jamie McLean Band at WGTB by wgtbmusic

Review: David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, Here Lies Love

David Byrne and Fatboy Slim Here Lies Love Grade? F.U.C.K.I.N.G. W.E.I.RD.

Nowadays, historical albums are rare. Wait. What the fuck am I saying- historical albums have always been pretty damn rare. Yet in 2010, we’ve had two: Titus Andronicus’ critically acclaimed The Monitor, and now Here Lies Love, a collaborative project headed up by David Byrne (of Talking Heads fame) and Fatboy Slim (No introduction needed. Yes, that is Christopher Walken.) About a year ago, this bizarre duo collaborated on a song called “The BPA TOE JAM,” which features not only the lyrics of famed British rapper Dizzee Rascal, but a video certain to be hailed as for years to come as the most creative use of censorship bars ever. (Do not watch this with your parents/younger siblings. It will be awkward.)

With their credentials firmly established, Byrne and Fatboy have released Here Lies Love, an album which examines the life of Imelda Marcos, ex-first lady of the Philippines. Yes, re-read that sentence: Here Lies Love is an album about the wife of a politician. For those who don’t know who Imelda Marcos is/was, here is a brief synopsis: known as the “Iron Butterfly,” Imelda was the wife of Ferdinand Marcos, one-time Filipino dictator who presided over twenty years of martial law, nepotism and corruption. Imelda did her bit by winning the title of “Miss Philippines” as well as shopping and living extravagantly, having a great time on multi-million shopping sprees across the globe, buying real estate (although she turned down the chance to buy the Empire State building because she thought it was ugly.), and amassing a collection of art including works by Michelangelo and Botticelli. Upon her husband’s ouster from power, it was discovered she had 3,000 pairs of shoes. Naturally, all of this fortune/fancy clothes were accumulated as the people of the Philippines lived on or below the poverty line. But enough about her, you say. What about this Here Lies Love thing about this crackpot lady?

In-Studio Today: Jamie McLean Band

Tune in at 3:15 pm EST this afternoon (click: Listen Live at www.georgetownradio.com) to catch a LIVE in-studio performance and interview with Jamie McLean, hosted by WGTB DJ Caroline Klibanoff.

Jamie McLean is the former guitarist for New Orleans' famous Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and has just released his solo album full of tunes this week, titled Completely. You can download his album here.

The Jamie McLean band is performing at the Strathmore in Bethesda Friday night at 8 p.m. Check it out!

WWYC of the Week Contest Winner: Kevin Lynch

Dear Kevin,

I thought you were a nice guy. Unassuming, pleasant, eager to please. But, then you sent me this video. Sure, you won the contest, and you won free tickets to see Jamie Mclean Band, but you lost me, Kevin. You lost me. I hope it was worth it.



Next up for Kevin: explaining himself.

Review: Dr. Dog, Shame, Shame

Dr. Dog

Shame, Shame

B

Shame, Shame, Dr. Dog’s first album on the Anti- Records label, is not the type of CD that you give a once over and then move on.  Shame, Shame is not your typical one-night stand, entertaining in the moment, interesting enough to tolerate for thirty minutes or so, but still easily abandoned after your brief, albeit amusing, encounter.  It is much more of a long-term commitment that demands a second, third, and even fourth listening to before you can really start to appreciate its complexity and quirky nuances.  It’s what I would call an acquired taste.

Filled with what can only be described as an eclectic mix of tracks, Shame, Shame showcases the band’s unquestionable musical talent.  Starting off with a tambourine in the distance that is shortly accompanied by an exclamation of percussion, “Stranger,” the album-opening track, seems almost like something you would expect to hear while walking into a circus tent.  That is, until the sorrowful lyrics kick in, and the song takes an unexpected turn – something that is relatively customary throughout the album and particularly evident in “Shame, Shame,” their closing track.  From fast-paced, upbeat tunes like, “Unbearable Why” and “Later,” to the more suppressed and melodic “Someday,” it is as if Dr. Dog runs the gamut of genres with this motley assortment.
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