When listening to The Ostrich or The Lark, by Nashville natives Tallest Trees, many adjectives come to mind, whether it be the on-point composition, or the seriously intriguing sound of the record; however, as a current Nashville resident, the overbearing thought that comes to my own sphere ‘o’ revue, is what(or how much, precisely) these guys have lifted from Animal Collective. This question is not meant in a negative or otherwise antagonistic way.

They’ve taken stylistic cues from the Baltimore crew and added Nashville flavor. On “We Were Just An Echo”, the duo enlightens our audio-tastebuds to some instinctive tribal percussion, paired with some interesting, mathematical sampling. It’s not often that a band’s MySpace page accurately categorizes their music; though, Tallest Trees have nearly hit the head on the nail, describing themselves as “Psychedelic, experimental, and pop.” That description couldn’t be more fitting. Soothing enough to sleep to, however, it’s possible to crank a nicely sized handful of these tracks and let one’s mind wander. The self-proclaimed “pop” factor, or as I like to think of it, the “Nashville” factor, comes into play on songs like “Love Like Blankets“. After vocalist Thomas Samuel croons, “Outside, outside, the world is fallen/outside, outside, a fever like a fire/spreading far and wide/is the world burning to the ground,” the two explode into a drum driven, synth-popping jam that seriously makes me want these guys to see absolute and total industry success – if only to just to see what they could do with free reign.

The record contains quite the bundle of interesting sounds. If I’m not mistaken (and I very well could be), the myriad of harmonious racket on this LP ranges from church bells and wind chimes, to gospel choirs, to what may or may not be a sample from an early version of The Sound of Music. If that’s not enough to pique your interest, I’m not sure what could.

Overall, this record, while not life changing, is a good listen. Samuel or guitarist Tommy Hans have yet to breach the minds of the churning whirlpool that is our beloved music industry, but, with astute composition and intriguing production as heard here, it won’t take long. I actually had the pleasure of seeing these guys open for The Protomen at Nashville’s own Mercy Lounge, back in December. If they keep up the psychedelic antics, they will be opening for Animal Collective or MGMT in no time. Until then, give The Ostrich or The Lark a listen and see if you’re nabbed, hook-line-n-sinker, as I was.