The Tall Dwarfs are from New Zealand and have been around a long time. They released their first e.p. in 1981, and have released a score of e.p.s and some full lengths since. This is their newest full length and it's called The Sky Above, The Mud Below. It's on New Zealand label Flying Nun.
I'm pretty overwhelmed by the record. That's not to say Tall Dwarfs are bad. They're not bad at all. In fact, some of these songs are pretty incredible. It's just that there's SO MUCH to wade through. I had no idea what to expect from reading the one sheet. It mentioned lo-fi, but I wasn't sure what that meant in this context. I was half expecting a lo-fi noise record, and half expecting a disgustingly bad anti-folk sort of affair. As luck, or the musicians I guess?, would have it, it was neither.
There's a whole lot of songs, 25 to be exact. From that I hope you're not expecting a song by song account. As we'd all be bored to tears by the end of it all. The whole thing is very definitely lo-fi, but in a way that befits the material. I'll be the first to admit that production can make or break things. I adore some bands live, but their albums are just produced so out of character I hardly listen to them. There are performers though whose music thrives on the lo-fi aesthetic. Mountain Goats spring to mind, as do some of Will Oldham's more scratchy and primitive affairs. So here's my point on this, if you really need studio production, avoid this record. There's a warmth though, that you usually lose once you leave the land of lo-fi.
Now as for what the songs actually sound like? That poses an even bigger problem. They're all over the place, but mostly stick to simple, yet effective pop tunes. Loads of nonsensical lyrics and some hooks that stick out, but for the most part, a Beatles-esque approach that works. I say Beatles-esque and I mean it, but there's more there, a lurking darkness maybe? You can tell these guys like their early rock and roll. They are actually influenced by old garage bands, as opposed to just shamelessly aping them. There are hints of the Velvet Underground and the Rolling Stones to name a few, but it's not just namedropping, these are touchstones for the Tall Dwarfs. If you're into rock and roll at all, especially of the lo-fi kind, then you should totally check this band out. Plus, they're not from America, so let's hear it for music from other countries. Hooray!
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