“Listen In” is a weekly feature in which we ask musicians to curate a mixtape-length YouTube playlist of songs they’re currently digging. Click the big play button above to hear the whole playlist or scroll down to see and hear individual tracks.
British pop indie rock band The Maccabees are currently touring over North America as they gear up for the release of their fourth album, Marks To Prove, on July 31st. They hit up New York City last week, headlining Le Poisson Rouge and dropping by WNYC’s Soundcheck. This week, they head to the Midwest as their tour with Mumford & Sons continues. In between shows, guitarist and back-up vocalist Felix White curated and annotated a playlist of some of the band’s favorite songs. Give it a listen below.
Color it In
Talk Talk – “I Believe In You”
Spirit of Eden has over time become one of my most treasured records. It’s one of those where you want to run someone who hasn’t heard it home and listen to the whole thing with them in silence. Beautiful.
Alan Price – “Oh Lucky Man”
We love the film Oh Lucky Man from the ’70s, directed by Lindsey Anderson. When I bought it the person at the counter told me the scene where they are operating on a person with a pigs body traumatized them for years. It’s understandable. Alan Price effectively narrates it with the soundtrack. Him and his band are beautifully interwoven into the story. Here’s the title track and opening credits.
PJ Harvey – “Good Fortune”
We were aiming to make our album feel like our city at night and have a true sense of locality. Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea really captures that. I have been listening to it at least once a week for years.
XTC – “Statue of Liberty”
We were turned on to playing live and found some common ground in our formative days by watching some of the late 70’s Old Grey Whistle Test videos. This is still a pretty special performance, so full of energy and ideas.
Beastie Boys – “Sabotage (live at Woodstock)”
I think this might be the best thing on Youtube. Special mention to the keyboard and percussion playing.
Selda – “Ince Ince”
I stumbled across a ‘Selda Best Of’ a few months ago, and I really love the guitar playing. All the playing is very uninhibited and, though being made ages ago, was a relief to hear a lot of the modern straightjacketed pop music.
Kendrick Lamar – “King Kunta”
The first record past me by a bit whilst everyone was raving about it, but the second has absolutely blown me away. We love this single. Can’t wait to see him when we play Reading/Leeds festivals together. It’s the most exciting record put out for a while and an instant classic.
La Shark – “Magazine Cover”
We have been friends with La Shark for a long time. They remain one of the most unpredictable and genuinely enjoyable live shows in London and a new video is usually a bit of an event in the studio.
Super Furry Animals – “Juxtaposed With U”
They toured for the first time in a long while recently. Good to have them back. Magic chorus.
Paul Buchanan – “Meanwhile (live)”
A new Buchanan song, as yet unrecorded properly, but shows how promising his new record is. Hugo [White] says it’s already his favorite song ever, so that must be something.
