The Sky Above the Mud Below

Pioneers of the lo-fi aesthetic,the Tall Dwarfs spluttered into life during 1979 by singers/songwriters Chris Knox and Alec Bathgate following the demise of their previous band,the legendary Toy Love.Back then,the Tall Dwarfs represented the D.I.Y.&home taping ethic and aesthetic at their purest — songs were all recorded at home (performed in bedrooms,hallways and the like)and the band produced all of their own videos and promotional materials.In 2002,nothing has changed,bar the recorded medium!Their new album,“The Sky Above The Mud Below,” features a variety of musical instruments,,either sampled or played by humans.These instruments include looped vocals,cello,clarinet,Korg analogue synth,Casiotone keyboard,Mellotron,bass and all sorts of guitars.The majority of the album is full of their best duo work in years.Weird pop songs,or pretty pop songs made up from weird bits,depending upon how you view it.The last third of the album is a separate EP featuring the return of the International Tall Dwarfs,this time in the guise of Jad Fair,Graeme Downs (Verlaines),Jeff Mangum (Neutral Milk Hotel)&Laura Carter (Elf Power), David &Hamish Kilgour (Clean)who assist the Dwarfs in a manner that leans much more toward the experi- mental than the popular.Fans of both sides of the Dwarfs ’ personality will be delighted.