Circling Back on In Tall Buildings

RayRay already wrote about the forthcoming In Tall Buildings album, and it’s my turn to throw my hat into the ring after the band recently released this new video for “Curtain.” Steady electronic pulses serve as the song’s central backbone, while you’ve got to pay careful attention to Erik Hall’s voice to hear the switches from verse to chorus; these are subtle changes that beg a careful ear, as you’re likely easily entranced by the soft quality Hall presents. Near the track’s end, a discordant noise indicates a raise in volume and power, leaving you with an emphatic emotional punch before fading to black. Akinetic will drop on March 2nd via Western Vinyl.

New Video From In Tall Buildings

Erik Hall and his project known as In Tall Buildings sure seem to receive a lot of positive praise over here on ATH. We’ve always been fans of the tunes over the years so one can imagine the excitement when I heard that new music was finally on the way. This track, “Beginning to Fade”, with accompanying video directed by Natalie Bergman, features a truly peaceful and airy take on songwriting. After a few listens, you can start feeling yourself melt into the melody and the groove of the song.

In Tall Buildings will release Akinetic on March 2nd via Western Vinyl.

SXSW Interview: In Tall Buildings

tallbMan. The In Tall Buildings record is good; did you check out Nicole’s review? Well, in case you wanted to know a little bit about the story behind the album, Diver, we’ve got the inside scoop courtesy of Erik himself. This will also give you a good heads up as to why you should check out ITB during SXSW; it’s one of the shows I’m really anticipating, and I really appreciate Erik’s thoughtful answers, so read on to hear what he has to say.  Read more

In Tall Buildings – Driver

in tall buildinsRating: ★★★½☆

In Tall Buildings is the project of multi-talented musician Erik Hall, of Wild Belle and Saturday Looks Good To Me, amongst other bands. Driver is his sophomore record under this moniker, following up the 2010 self-titled debut. Hall has come quite a long way since that initial release, fleshing out his folksy sound with electronic elements and focusing on creating a dichotomy between these two distinct sounds. The result is an exercise in precision and creativity, as Driver carves out its own space and flourishes there.

What works really well on this album is the constant battle between the balance of warm and cold sounds within the music. Aesthetically, Hall’s vocals are cold and distant, barely audible at points as he mutters his lyrics. In this way, they work almost as another instrument amidst the synthesizers, sheer percussion and elegant guitar riffs that are scattered in the mix, but as an instrument of juxtaposition. While his voice may be static, cool and calm, the music transitions between aligning with this chill and opposing it with growing warmth. The sound of the guitars play a large part in this—when acoustic they fill the emptiness of the track, and when electric, often the riffs are distorted warmly to give out that surfy heat of hotter days. There’s a soft blending of the elements here that feels like the sonic accompaniment to a visually smooth and subtle gradient of color.

On a track-to-track basis, this album doesn’t have a bad song, as each one feels artfully crafted, however, I have found highlights that are all over the map. First track, “Bawl Cry Wail,” is as sonically emotive as Hall’s voice gets, and the instrumentation is rustic and stripped. Later on you get the sleek and practically dance floor ready “Flare Gun,” with simmering synths and a catchy pop chorus that you’ll be singing along to in no time. Then you get “When You See Me Fall” which is a halfway point between these two songs, mixing the minimalist sound you got early on with the electronically dominated threads that have percolated in to the album.

Driver, with its sheer quiet melancholy pop veneer, feels like an excellent record for a transition from winter to spring; from finally shaking off the cold, shedding those coats, and emerging into the sunlight. There are some tracks that have definitely made my listening catalogue and perhaps you can make the delicate de-thawing process with In Tall Buildings as well.

 

In Tall Buildings Sounds Better and Better

divrEvery time I hear one of the tracks from In Tall Buildings I have to take a step back.  There’s something striking in the fragility that’s present in the music crafted by Erik Hall over the last four years. But, while the folk aspect is present throughout the entirety of this song, there’s some manipulated tape in there too, causing a change in the song’s balance; I think it’s one of the moments that really makes Hall’s music so intoxicating. His new LP, Driver, will be released on February 17th via Western Vinyl, so you’ve got a few weeks to prepare yourself for this journey.

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New Music from In Tall Buildings

tallestbuiltIf you’re looking to make your 2015 interesting, musically speaking, then I’m imploring you to take a listen to this new track from In Tall Buildings, then schedule picking up Driver, the new LP, on its release. This latest single shows the craftsmanship in the songwriting, creating these intricate little layers that serve as prime ear candy. The breath-y quality of the vocals also adds an interesting touch; it’s one of the many reasons I think you’ll find yourself peeling back layer after layer when you get a chance to get your hands on the full length; Western Vinyl is putting it out on February 17th.

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New Album from In Tall Buildings

driverIt seems like time might have forgotten the work of Erik Hall and his project, In Tall Buildings; it’s been nearly four years since he last released his debut, but this opening track from his forthcoming LP sounds pretty remarkable.  There’s a pulsating opening, laying groundwork for the entry of Hall’s delicate vocals.  This track seemingly builds and builds, yet it always pulls back to offer up a really subtle bit of pop sensibility that’s sure to garner interest from all sorts of listeners.  Look for his new release, Driver, via Western Vinyl on February 17th.

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New Tunes from In Tall Buildings

Erik Hall has had his share in the music biz, playing with NOMO and Saturday Looks Good to Me.  Now, he’s set to release his own album under the name In Tall Buildings, which comes out this week on Whistler Records.  This track sort of has the old feel of Rogue Wave, but you can tell that Hall spends his time dabbling with every instrument possible.  It’s full of layers, but in the sort of way that doesn’t weigh you down. Listen up.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/in_tall_buildings_monsters_lair.mp3]

Download: In Tall Buildings – Monsters Lair [MP3]