Anyone who thinks labels are irrelevant hasn’t found time to pry their head out from whatever rock they’re sniffing under to peruse Brooklyn-based Captured Tracks’ roster. Amongst their stellar lineup is Widowspeak, a shoegazey/dream poppin’ duo whose 2013 was quite notewworthy, marked by the release of their sophomore full-length The Almanac, and capped by a new six-track EP The Swamps. Widowspeak are currently on the road with Pure Bathing Culture, and making a stop in Boston at TT the Bear’s Place this Tuesday evening. Check out Robert Earl Thomas’ special guest playlist, made in honor of what is bound to be a fine evening.
The Beach Boys – “Forever”
70s Beach Boys can be hit-or-miss. But this song, as good as anything on Pet Sounds, is the clear standout from Sunflower.
Real Estate – “Easy”
Days is a great cruising record and I always show up at venues with the guitar/glockenspiel(?) melody from this song in my head. Plus listening to it makes me think of Kevin McMahon who recorded our last record and EP as well as Days.
The Righteous Brothers – “Unchained Melody”
Blue Eyed Soul is an awesome and awesomely-titled genre. This song kills it. We have an unfinished home- recorded cover of it. We always talk about releasing the song, but I’m afraid it could never live up to the original.
The Replacements – “Merry Go Round”
More good driving music. Loose and perfect.
Odetta – “Another Man Done Gone”
We got a fantastic compilation of music that influenced Bob Dylan from a sound guy in Switzerland and this is the first track. It’s only her voice and hand claps and it’s beautiful and haunting.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – “Red Right Hand”
Another creepy, atmospheric song that’s great for driving. I actually first heard it in an episode of the X-Files. Now Let Love In is one of my favorite albums.
Devendra Banhart – “Fur Hildegard Von Bingen”
I’ve always been a big Devendra fan and I think his new record is really next level. It has all his charm and humor, but pushes past acoustic folk. Like a lot of the songs on this list, it’s all about atmosphere.
Caetano Veloso – “Um Tom”
I’ve been on a huge Tropicalia kick lately, which led me to Livro a fantastic Caetano record from the 90s. This is my favorite track and in my dream world Panda Bear covers it.
Lorde – “Royals”
This freakin’ song is everywhere and you know what, it’s probably our favorite of the ten songs on the radio. I think we’ve heard it every time we turn the car on.
Talking Heads – “Naive Melody”
Before playing the Austin City Limits festival we did a run of shows opening for Iron & Wine in Canada and the northern US. This song was on their house playlist and I honestly never tire of hearing it. I think it’s the perfect song for when the lights come up and the crowd heads home.