The Tallest Man on Earth

The Wild Hunt – album review

Dylan, Dylan, Dylan. That’s all you hear these days when a new folk artist arises from the undergrowth. The truth is, very few of those comparisons are worth the backslapping or the hospital. Swedish-born Kristian Matsson aka The Tallest Man on Earth may be one of the few folk artists bursting with raw talent who actually blow away the cobwebs and live up to the hype. Dylan never had this effortless ability on guitar, did he?

Bursting with Americana-influenced meanderings, TTMOE’s second album, The Wild Hunt, is so full of refreshing hooks that you could sit listening to him and his guitar, in a 1960s time warp, for hours on end. You never even get bored or even want to compare him to any other artists, past or present.

Following up on his acclaimed debut album, Shallow Grave, Matsson could have been forgiven for becoming complacent. Shallow Grave was such a superbly crafted collection of high quality songs, one might think there may be some filler left over for the recording of The Wild Hunt. Not the case. This album is full of – dare I say it – an even more rounded and well-chosen set of tracks. Stand out songs include the brisk ‘Burden of Tomorrow’, the endlessly summers ‘Drying of the Lawns’ and the head-nodding ‘King of Spain’.

Who thought a recording of one man and a guitar could hold your attention for so long, could be so exciting. It’s a testament to this man’s ability, voice and never-waiving ear for a standout song. Buy this album.

4/5