It's always nice when you hear something pretty that reminds you of a peaceful pond in the woods somewhere. Look out Thoreau, The Tallest Man on Earth is dropping by your cabin. That's the long moniker of Sweden's Kristian Matsson, a sure-handed folkster in the most traditional sense.

With his acoustic guitar, he beautifully sings and finger-plucks lyrically rich tunes of life, love, nature and (of course) death. And he goes at it with complete conviction in his musical poetry.

I like that the first influence he mentions on his MySpace page is Bob Dylan. Many aspiring troubadours probably wouldn't go right for Dylan because it's the obvious, or less sexy, choice. But this dude doesn't care. His songs are good and he wants to be the next Bob Dylan. What's wrong with that?

While definitely folk, The Tallest Man on Earth sings with a little southern twang. So strangely, this music is kind of like Americana meets Scandanavia meets Appalachia. Weird, right?

Matsson is gearing up for several US dates with Bon Iver, a perfect stage partner. If you're feeling mellow and reflective, you might enjoy taking this for a spin.

BUY TICKETS TO SEE THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH AT MERCURY LOUNGE!

BUY TICKETS TO SEE THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH (WITH BON IVER) AT TOWN HALL (12/10 SHOW)!

BUY TICKETS TO SEE THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH (WITH BON IVER) AT TOWN HALL (12/11 SHOW)!

BUY TICKETS TO SEE THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH AT THE MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG!

The Tallest Man on Earth plays Mercury Lounge, on Tuesday, December 9th, at Town Hall (two shows opening for Bon Iver), on Wednesday, December 10th and again at Town Hall on Thursday, December 11th, and at Music Hall of Williamsburg, on Friday, December 12th. Phew!