As Tall As Lions Makes MAGNET A Mix Tape

Long Island-based As Tall As Lions got it right when titling its third album You Can’t Take It With You (Triple Crown, out August 18); the quartet leaves it all on the floor, enduring a recording session for the LP that found the band members parting ways with their producer and nearly breaking up in the process. The hard-won result is a collection of epic, yearning songs with the dreamy romanticism of  U.K. groups such as Coldplay and Doves. The band’s MAGNET mix tape showcases the myriad sounds percolating around the Lions’ den.

“Circles” (download):

The Persuaders “Love’s Gonna Pack Up (And Walk Out)”
A brilliant song about love falling apart. Aggressive yet soulful, this 1971 top-10 hit instantly caught my ear when I heard it on late-night radio. While recording our last record in Los Angeles, I found a re-pressing of it on vinyl and probably played it about 100 times a day.

Daft Punk “Something About Us”
A longtime friend opened my ears to Daft Punk only recently. For me, electronic music can go either way. It’s not often that I hear a track like this and dig it, let alone get the chills like I do when I listen to this track. Great bass line, amazing groove. If you haven’t heard this record, I suggest all the dance freaks go pick this up.

King Crimson “21st Century Schizoid Man”
The mecca of ’70s prog rock. Under the strict rule of guitarist/band leader Robert Fripp, this opening track on King Crimson’s 1969 debut left the musical world asking, “What the fuck?” This is not only one of the most bombastic songs ever written, but it also showed musicians that they were going about their instruments all wrong.

Bob Marley “Kinky Reggae”
My favorite song by one of my favorite artists. You can never go wrong with Bob Marley. I’m pretty sure every song he ever put out was great, but this sexy tune sticks out. Bob and his boys were young, full of fire and, according to the lyrics, ready to get down.

Blonde Redhead “Equus”
This is the last song on their 2004 record Misery Is A Butterfly. It opens with a killer bass riff, explodes into double-time drum groove, dirty guitars, distorted female vocals and stays groovy all the way through. What else can you ask for?

Black Star “Brown Skin Lady”
Off one of the greatest hip-hop records of all time by two of the most talented cats around. Mos Def and Talib Kweli honor the grace and beauty of those dark-skinned women I love so much. I listen to this record pretty much every single day, but somehow I’m still not bored of it. A true hip-hop classic.

Can “Future Days”
The best band ever to make records. Truly progressive, making every record different than the next. This number is the title track from my favorite album of theirs. Eight minutes of krautrock history showcasing singer Damo Suzuki’s phenomenal melodic sense.

The Eternals “Crime”
One of my recent discoveries. In this song, the Chicago-based dub group plays one of the deepest grooves I’ve heard in long time. They only made two records, but try to get a hold of this gem. It’s definitely worth the listen.

Talk Talk “Happiness Is Easy”
If you haven’t heard of this band, you must be crazy. Dark, ambient synth pop with children who sing the vocals. Kind of reminds me of my own band. Go figure.

D’Angelo “Untitled (How Does It Feel?)”
The sexiest song ever. I’m a sucker for this song—and the entire album. Another record that I listen to on an everyday basis that never seems to get old. Also, perfect for makin’ babies.