"Tiny Cities" is the second studio album by American indie folk act Sun Kil Moon, released on November 1, 2005, on Caldo Verde Records. The album consists entirely of covers of songs originally by Modest Mouse, reinterpreted in Mark Kozelek's distinctive acoustic guitar-led style.
Following the success of Sun Kil Moon's debut album "Ghosts of the Great Highway" (2003), "Tiny Cities" continued to showcase Kozelek's talent for transforming complex and rhythmically intricate songs into delicate ballads. This approach mirrored his earlier tribute album "What's Next to the Moon," which featured covers of AC/DC songs.
Despite the album being composed entirely of Modest Mouse covers, Kozelek initially mentioned in a 2014 interview with Seattle's The Stranger that he had never received feedback from Modest Mouse regarding the record. However, in a later conversation with Ben Gibbard, Kozelek shared that he had a positive encounter with Modest Mouse's Isaac Brock in Austin, where they discussed various topics including life insurance and albums. Brock thanked Kozelek for making "Tiny Cities," which left a positive impression on Kozelek.
"Tiny Cities" was well-received by critics and fans alike, praised for its unique reinterpretation of Modest Mouse's songs through Sun Kil Moon's introspective and acoustic lens. It remains a notable entry in both Sun Kil Moon's and Mark Kozelek's discography, highlighting their ability to bring new dimensions to existing music while paying homage to influential artists like Modest Mouse.
