Description
My Dad Is Dead – The Taller You Are The Shorter You Get – Cassette
The Taller You Are, the Shorter You Get is the fourth studio album by the American indie rock band My Dad Is Dead, released in 1989. Led by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mark Edwards, My Dad Is Dead is known for their introspective and emotionally charged music.
With The Taller You Are, The Shorter You Get, all the pieces fell into place for My Dad Is Dead. The usual cynicism, hopelessness, bitching and moaning about being alone are all here, along with the occasional wordplay, like naming the opening instrumental “For Lack of a Better Word.” The music is that of an angst-filled, Cleveland-based loner devouring that city’s fertile college radio scene without letting go of some classic rock devices like grand proggy instrumentals and guitar solos.
The album showcases Edwards’ poignant songwriting and introspective lyrics, exploring themes of love, loss, and personal struggles. The music blends elements of post-punk, indie rock, and alternative rock, creating a raw and atmospheric sound. Edwards’ distinctive vocals and heartfelt delivery add depth and emotion to the songs.
It’s also drum machine driven and reeks of D.I.Y., but while all these elements can be found across the MDID catalog, Taller lands every song, trumping the common “cloying” and “acquired taste” accusations despite the two-LP run time. Mark Edwards, the sole proprietor of MDID at this point, gave Interpol their blueprint when he mashed Joy Division and My Bloody Valentine for “The Big Picture,” a soaring track that’s arguably his best ever.
The song’s “I could spend my whole life worrying about what’s going to happen to me” makes it undeniably the quintessential MDID track, credo and all. “What Can I Do” and “A Man Possessed” round out the superior laments with Edwards sounding ticked-off at hopelessness and sulking throughout, with nerdy horned-rimmed glasses you almost can hear coming through the mix. Hüsker Dü-influenced guitars and Chris Burgess’ gloriously smalltime production give an indie-Americana spin to the album and flippant messages in the liner notes suggest Edwards won’t be joining Ian Curtis anytime soon.
Curtis wouldn’t offer something as shameless as “I need a calculator to count up my problems/But I can count my friends on my fingers on my one hand” either, and that’s what makes Edwards and Taller special. Spiritually lost, middle-class, Middle Americans who free up Friday nights for cheap beer and fretting never had it so good.
The Taller You Are, the Shorter You Get features a mix of melancholic ballads and more upbeat, guitar-driven tracks. Standout songs include the introspective “Coat of Armor,” the catchy “I Think I Should,” and the haunting “Motherland.”
Throughout the album, My Dad Is Dead creates a captivating and introspective atmosphere, drawing listeners into the emotional landscape of the songs. The music is characterized by its intimate and personal nature, capturing a range of emotions and experiences.
“The Taller You Are, the Shorter You Get” received critical acclaim upon its release, solidifying My Dad Is Dead’s reputation as one of the notable indie rock acts of the time. The album showcases the band’s ability to craft thoughtful and emotionally resonant music, leaving a lasting impact on listeners.
The Taller You Are, the Shorter You Get is a powerful and introspective album that explores the depths of human emotion. My Dad Is Dead’s unique blend of indie rock and post-punk aesthetics, combined with Mark Edwards’ evocative songwriting, makes it a compelling and memorable release in their discography.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic seal
Homestead Records
Track Listing
1. For Lack of a Better Word
2. The Big Picture
3. Seven Years
4. Too Far Gone
5. Planes Crashing
6. Boundaries
7. Can’t Get Started
8. The Only One
9. World on a String
10. What Can I Do
11. Whirlpool
12. Nothing Special
13. A Man Possessed
14. So Much to Lose
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