In this world (Seattle especially), there are seemingly more bands than people anymore. Amid all those people creating their respective visions are surprisingly few who can be considered true artists. To witness Gruff Rhys tell the stories behind his songs, not to mention perform any of them, you immediately glean that he is one of those rare people struck with that unique sort of inspired imagination that is unendingly creative and beautifully unfiltered.

As singer of the Super Furry Animals, Rhys has built a world that is both visually and aurally overwhelming, fusing psychedelia, shoegaze, and folk with some of the electronic elements of the early '90s Madchester scene. With his solo work, Rhys strips things down to a much simpler palette while still retaining his stylistic spasticity.