Kristian Matsson delivers a powerful punch to the folk genre.  Matt Dhillon is a fan of it.

     Kristian Matsson is the tallest man on earth and his debut album shows just that. Shallow Grave brings back the refreshing, simple intricacy of the folk genre. Featuring this solo artist with just his guitar and his voice, it has fast become one of my favorite works of folk art.

     Upbeat guitar rhythms expertly accompany Matsson’s high, often faltering voice to create an effect of resignation that diminishes the depth of emotion offered in each song. But the album’s real artistic beauty comes in the form of lyrics. Shallow Grave is a symphony of passion and poetry with seemingly effortless rhymes that pass as naturally as air from Matsson’s lips.

     Although not all of the lines make sense, all of the songs do. What is impressive is not only that these songs actually have some worthwhile meaning, but that their meaning is so unique. I have been 5 days running, repeating “I know the runner's going to tell you /There ain't no cowboy in my hair/So now he's buried by the daisies/So I could stay the tallest man in your eyes, babe “ with the utmost joy. This song, “The Gardener,” reeks of paranoia and insanity but with such beautiful intentions that the carefree tone is never cast into question. The lyrics are by no means expertly written, but what they lack in coherence they make up in passion.

     The style of The Tallest Man On Earth begs to be compared with that of Bob Dylan. This album comes far closer in quality to the folk legend than most, but Matsson definitely has his own unique qualities to keep him securely out of Dylan’s footsteps. His follow up album will surely be met with great anticipation, but until then the 6’5” singer stands 10,000 feet high.