Kristian Matsson (born 30 April 1983) is a Swedish singer-songwriter from Dalarna, Sweden who performs under the stage name of The Tallest Man on Earth.
Dark Bird is Home was my favourite album from last year, it was absolutely magical. I saw him live in Berlin last Autumn, and it was the closest thing I've come to a religious experience, it was perfect. He played with a full band, and knew exactly when to spruce up his old songs, and when to leave them alone. Just breathtakingly good.
"The Dreamer" is a legitimately perfect song. One you assume had to have been a hit since 1962 somehow.
Anyone else going to see him on this upcoming full band tour? Kinda curious how some of the old stuff will translate in that setting
It works perfectly. He knows exactly which songs benefit from being fleshed out a bit more, and which are perfect in their sparse, original form. The full band version of King of Spain is a thing of beauty. Cannot recommend his live performance highly enough.
I've been loving this album for about 9 months now. I got into it in October when I was in Berlin and it absolutely rocked my socks off. The whole thing is just absolutely perfect. Marvelous album in every single way.
Good to hear the full band set-up works well. I'm seeing him next week too (at my favorite venue, the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville). Super excited. I recently became re-obsessed with his discography after falling away from it for a while.
Watch the Tallest Man on Earth Perform “Rivers” With Brass and String Players | Video | Pitchfork Amazing as always
I haven't listened to this guy very much over the last two years, which is strange because I used to listen to him all the time. Revisiting some of his albums today to rectify that.
So I ended up listening to all his albums. I think "There's No Leaving Now" is his best song, while The Wild Hunt is his best album.
The Wild Hunt is his masterpiece but I love them all dearly. And yeah, all of his piano ballads are fucking excellent. Also, "Bright Lanterns" and "Little Nowhere Towns" are his two most underrated songs.
Despite being released only a few months into the decade The Wild Hunt is still among the very best albums released in the 2010s. His masterpiece indeed.
I forgot to mention how good the Sometimes the Blues Is Just a Passing Bird EP is. It might even be my favourite release of his honestly, at least 3 of the songs on there would make it into my top 5 of his.
yep yep yep Little River is my favorite TTMOE song. Other than Blood Bank I can't think of a better EP.
Have been binge listening to Matsson the last couple of weeks. Here's one of the best live sets of all time if anyone forgot: