The Tallest Man on Earth (real name Kristian Matsson) enters melancholy territory on his second LP, The Wild Hunt. The album is wildly imaginative even if it follows traditional folk standards; while the songs evoke images of red-wagon adventures (while evoking the soundtrack to Where the Wild Things Are), the lyrics are intimately painful. Mattson’s acoustic guitar fills the majority of the album with galloping melodies that provide a lovely counterpoint to the heartbreak-laden words.

To read Steve Kolowich‘s review, go here.

It’s been five years since Medications released its first album, Your Favorite People All in One Place, and with a revamped line-up and more sophisticated vocals, the band’s second release, Completely Removed, proves its hiatus was quite productive. The D.C.-based post-punk trio’s newest album ups the ante, taking the band in a direction that shiess away from prog- rock and finds the edge between pop and punk. With ballads like “Brasil ’07,” Medications has released one of the District punk world’s best records in a long time.

To read Brent Burton‘s review, go here.