Ancient Lover, the self-released debut album from Tigercity, takes an irony-free approach to cheesy ’70s/’80s soul and new wave. Yes, the Brooklyn band plays “smooth rock.” So when frontman Bill Gillim made MAGNET a mix tape, we weren’t too surprised by the inclusion of the likes of Chic and Luther Vandross.
“Fake Gold” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/FakeGold.mp3
Chic “Happy Man”
Chic has always been one of our favorite bands. This song has been on heavy rotation in our van for the past couple months. Aside from being just a ridiculously tight, amazing song, lyrically it’s everything we love about this band—seemingly simplistic and overly positive, but actually really dark and creepy. Video
Prefab Sprout “Wild Horses”
Another one of our biggest and earliest influences. The perfect combination of smoothness and darkness. As far as I can tell, it’s about being old and lusting after teenage girls. Also, the chorus sounds like DJ Premier, when it’s really just some dorky Scottish dudes. Awesome. Video
Band Of Horses “The Great Salt Lake”
Drive through Utah and blast this in your car. Video
George Harrison “Gone Troppo”
George Harrison gone blissfully insane on a tropical island. This is what Tigercity will sound like in 2018. Video
Neil Young “Cinnamon Girl”
Joel and Andrew recently spent a weekend in Vermont camping with 20 dudes on ATVs + acid. At one point, there was a fireworks fight, and I think 300 beers were consumed. Neil Young on repeat. Video
Phoenix “Long Distance Call”
We played the Monolith Festival at Red Rocks in September and got a chance to see Phoenix play on the main stage. They were totally amazing. We wore out this record when we first started touring. Video
Oneohtrix Point Never “Physical Memory”
Synth sculptor Daniel Lopatin is one of our best friends and biggest influences. His new album Rifts is out soon on No Fun. Check him out here.
The Beach Boys “Feel Flows”
By far one of our favorite bands. Their post-Brian-meltdown records are so good and really underappreciated. Carl Wilson’s songwriting and production are beautiful. Video
Cocteau Twins “Cherry Coloured Funk”
Wet. Video
Luther Vandross “Never Too Much”
Exploding synth diamonds. And the best singer ever produced by the best slap-bassist ever. Video
The Stone Roses “Waterfall”
Perfect for whiskey-induced optimism. Video
Scritti Politti “Small Talk”
White British dudes trying to be black American dudes. Which, in this case, is better than white American dudes.
Steely Dan “Gaucho”
“Who is the gaucho amigo?/Why is he standing/In your spangled leather poncho/And your alligator shoes/Bodacious cowboys/Such as your friend/Will never be welcome here/High in the Custerdome.” Video
