The Tall Boy

I posted a track by the Tall Boy last week without much reaction, so I feel I should stress how beautiful and hushed this new EP is, Go Forth... stylistically these Glaswegians fall somewhere between the Shins and the Clientele. And as much as this song gently coaxes listeners to do otherwise, a song this simple and moving is a good reminder of why I like to spend so much time with my 45s and my books, or more appropriately, with my mp3s and my blogs.

- The Post-Rockist

The Tall Boy has an impeccable indie pop pedigree, as main Boy Matty Green was once a member of indie heroes Boyracer. He and his band don't sound too dissimilar to the poppier moments of that group, and they also have a spot of Belle & Sebastian in them. Green has an unschooled and conversational voice that lends an intimate feel to the songs, and the group winningly displays proficiency without professionalism. Overall, the proceedings on their EP Go Forth are very gentle and tuneful, very British and sweet; the seven songs are short and poignant tunes perfect for drinking caffeinated beverages and wondering where it all went wrong (the tender "45s and Books," "Decay," "Go Forth") or, better yet, shaking your fringe at an indie club night ("Outside," "And Back Again," "City Arms"). The only stumble is the lo-fi and skittery "Same Size Girlfriend," but it isn't enough to trip up the Tall Boy. Go Forth is a strong little EP that lovers of indie pop would do well to seek out.

- allmusic.com

One of the great things about doing a zine is getting sent lots of music that you otherwise would not take a chance on because, for one reason, maybe, you have never heard of the band and don't wanna spend the money. That is the case with this Scottish 4-piece who are on the tiny indie label, Banazan. The band is low-key but GO FORTH has an overflow of tasty hooks and vocalist/guitarist Matty Green seems to be able to toss off anything he says with a fair amount of confidence and flair. "Outside" chugs along and could almost be called "dancey" while the stuttering "And back Again" reminded me a bit of NYC's Baskervilles. If you don't wanna sound like a bonehead asking the record clerk for the Arctic Monkeys cd then ask him/her for this. You'll be glad you did.

- Dagger

Goes On is nice indie rock comprised of pop hooks, noisy experimentation, and soundscapes of peaceful guitar playing. Of these, the emphasis here is on Matt Green's peaceful, clean electric guitar playing, which usually consists of slow tempo, chiming jazz chords. Goes On changes gears frequently. For example, note the transition from the tranquil "Trafalgar Road" to the rumpus-inducing cover of Serge Gainsbourg's "Harley Davidson" to the pretty ballad "Going to Gainseville." Fortunately, these transitions don't feel painful or disjoint. In fact, although Matt Green's quiet numbers are always pretty - and he certainly has a nice voice - the more rockin' tunes help prevent the album from falling into lethargy.

Goes On also takes some interesting musical turns, ranging from diverse, instrumental phrasings to weird machine noises. "It Goes On and On," begins with Green's serene, clean electric guitar playing and soft vocals before introducing a scratchy and distorted electric-guitar harmony and a bluesy bass-line that dances around the music. "Side b" is a slightly faster paced instrumental rocker featuring strange computer noises (think the fuzzy bleeping and blooping of a telephone modem). The strangest noises, though, are probably found on the final track "Narita Departures," a techno track (I don't know what else to call it) with a slowed down/sped up radio announcement that is constantly repeated over some funky electronic percussion. Overall, Goes On is an album that is pleasant in its soft moments for most of the album and nicely rambunctious in its noisier and more experimental moments. - leftoffthedial.com

The Tall Boy is the remarkable pop debut of Matty Green, who was once the ace guitarist for drunken punk tweepop band Boyracer. I tell you this now because you certainly wouldn't guess it from listening to Goes On, which is one of the better indiepop albums this year. Instead of thrashing it out like Stewart Anderson, he goes his own way, and in so doing, comes up with an album that's quite indebted to French pop and jazz. Of course, it's easy to see the French connection when he offers up a cover (in French) of Serge Gainsbourg's classic "Harley Davidson." At times, I feel like I'm listening to what Ben Watt would have done had he not decided to do Everything With His Girl.

I've listened to this record while dyeing clothes and while painting, and I've got to say it's one of the most artistically inspiring records I've heard in a while. From stirring socks in fuschia dye while listening to "Make Up Your Mind" to washing paintbrushes while listening to "Conversations," or coloring in drawing during "Toast and Love," I've felt nothing but inspired while listening to Goes On. There's only one moment that isn't quite as good as the rest - mainly the brief burst of noise at the end, "Narita Departures." Since random bursts of noise and experimental rackets are kept to a minimum, the record flows quite well, and never seems a bit disjointed.

Goes On is a most inspiring little debut, and let's hope that The Tall Boy doesn't decide do Go On when it comes time to make more records; his muse is certainly most friendly, and is brilliant in a way that others should be envious. - mundanesounds.com

An EP or mini LP? Seven songs which are quite brilliant, and very more-ish. ie. you keep on playing it over and over… ‘45’s and books’ is a hit in a just world... - Beatnik Filmstars