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 the maccabees 'colour it in' listening post
 to access audio and video on collective you need real player.Diary of a band. Collective first spoke to The Maccabees at the beginning of 2007. Deep in the bowels of London University, next door to the ULU’s swimming pool, squashed in a tiny broom cupboard which was sweltering hot and stank of chlorine.The band were disarmingly frank about their hopes for the record, and fairly savvy about what the music business involved. Said lead singer, Orlando: “Success is not why we’re doing this, but you’ve got to be there or thereabouts, otherwise you’re not going to get to make a second album.” Since then, they’ve turned out to be one of 2007’s most promising acts with their combination of bright, dynamic pop and “write about what you know” lyrics – whether it be their local recreation centre (Latchmere) or personal relationships (First Love). Currently on tour, lead singer Orlando gives an insight into the genesis of their debut album, Colour It In – which you can listen to in full above.  the maccabees - colour it inalbum synopsis by orlando weeks good old bill “This is a re-recorded version made to start the album. The original version (also the live version) was the first Maccabees song, recorded in 2003 in a bomb shelter in the Isle Of Wight on a drum kit made from a Victorian dancefloor.” x-ray “The lyrics of this song came from watching Richard and Judy when they had a girl from Russia who could see into people and detect tumours and the like.” all in your rows “It was centred around the bassline when we wrote this. We went into the studio to demo it with Stephen Street, and it turned out much better than expected, so it made it onto the album.” latchmere “The leisure centre was nostalgia for all of us. I went to record sounds from there to have at the beginning of the song and looked like a paedophile with my recording equipment. JOY.” about your dress “This is a story about a failed first date. We used finger puppets for the video and now at shows people mimic the puppet dance routines whilst we’re playing.” precious time “This seemed the most appropriate single to come out with the album. It is the centrepiece of the record. The lyrics are about fighting friends.” o.a.v.i.p. “This is a song about lonely grandparents. My gran thinks it sounds like an old ice-cream van advert.” tissue shoulders “We recorded this with Ben Hillier in Elephant & Castle. We were in a converted swimming pool and it was boiling, right in the middle of summer. It’s the only song that doesn’t have Rob on drums, our mate Elliot Andrews stepped in as Rob had broken his arm.” happy faces “The lyrics in this always stump people. Some think it’s ‘happy Felix is sad’ others ‘happy faces of love’. Neither of which are correct.” first love “This is a love song. This has become our biggest song at shows, our first Top 40.” mary “This is another of the middle of summer recordings, it was going to be called Mary Dress Super Hero. It’s another story about a grandparent and family.” lego “This song sounds at its best played loud! Another fan favourite, it’s meant to be the fanfare farewell on the album.” toothpaste kisses “This album has a lot of love-related songs, all of which seem flawed or failed. This was the final song we recorded and was written in the studio. Hopefully it’s an optimistic end to the record.” The Maccabees - Colour It In, released 14 May 07 on Fiction.
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