And so the moment to reveal Mad Mackerel’s final favourites of 2012. Here are numbers 20 down to top spot. Dig in and enjoy.
20 OF MONSTERS AND MEN – LITTLE TALKS
Duelling male / female voices from Iceland’s finest and bitter sweet lyrics (only with igloos and saunas instead of pubs and football). They also shout “Hey!” a lot which can’t be a bad thing. (TS)
Anything from this lot always lifts my mood. However this one just edged it for the catchy nature of the chorus, and for the fact that I thought they were saying “shit will carry on” which I thought was a good point of view to have. (SB)
a
19 RICHARD BUCKNER – WILLOW
This is a lying-in-a-daisy-meadow-looking-at-the-scudding-clouds sort of song. A gentle guitar arrangement coupled with some tender lyrics and softly sung vocals, all of which appeals to the latent hippy in me. Clippety clop: do you know Mr Buckner, I always remember. (Mrs M)
18 BLACK MOTH – BLACKBIRDS FALL
Long live the guitar riff! Heavy but with a funky tune and words you can understand. With an album produced by Nick Cave, not surprising they are getting glowing reviews. Raw power describes them well. (SB)
a
17 THE MACCABEES – PELICAN
This track bounces along at a pace in a confused ensemble of instruments that feel like they shouldn’t make sense … but do. It just works. But what’s the song about? It’s a 3 minute 45 second run through life. From being born to when we push up the daisies. Sounds miserable but it isn’t. If it doesn’t raise a smile, it’ll get your foot tapping. (BSF)
a
16 GHOST WAVE – HIPPY Unstoppably stomping, unrelentingly catchy, Hippy cranks up the riffage and was made for burning rubber on a sunburnt highway somewhere. (MM)
a
15 MICHAEL AINSLEY – RAINY LONELY DAY
Despite the air of melancholy I found this a strangely uplifting song, reminiscent vocally of the great Ray Davies (although it does not suffer by comparison). Piano and guitar combine with the haunting voice of Michael Ainsley to produce the most heartfelt tune I’ve heard all year. I’m in awe of the lyrics – “yes I know you’ve got to go – from my group of friends, you’re the best one that I know”… I can’t think of a better way to demonstrate the wonderfully awkward nature of this song and to showcase the genuine talent of Mr Ainsley. (CP)
a
14 WILLY MASON – CARRY ON
When I was much younger my dear old Pa used to say of classical music that it was music that spoke to him: this is a song that speaks to me. The poetic lyricism is felt; the metaphor carried is subtle and reflective; and the guitar, the guitar plays softly to my heart. A song of such fragile beauty for 2012: this is a song that speaks to me. (Mrs M)
a
13 SIMONE FELICE – HEY BOBBY RAY
Yay! It’s another murder ballad. This time the perpetrator is young Bobby Ray. A young man born on 4th July who gets himself into a whole load of trouble when his ‘pick-up date’ doesn’t think too much of his advances. Bobby Ray doesn’t think too much of her refusal. So he kills her. This song is a lament. The fragile tones of Simone Felice complimented beautifully by a choir in the background of the chorus. A beautiful tune, intelligent lyrics and sung as only a Felice can. Hey Bobby Ray, you’re going to get yours, sunshine! (BSF)
a
12 TOM WILLIAMS & THE BOAT – TEENAGE BLOOD
This is another dark look at life through the eyes of a young man who is obviously ahead of his years in so many ways. Who’d have ever thought that Tom’s hometown of Tunbridge Wells would ever give rise to such grim lyrics. Carrying some of the meaningful insanity of Nick Cave with the miserable wisdom of Morrissey, Tom Williams and his Boat crew have delivered another dark gem in Teenage Blood. (BSF)
A modern twist on a country classic. It is a catchy and memorable song with great harmonies, despite the slightly depressing theme. (SB)
A great recommendation from PP here and real foot stomping stuff. Plus, anything that counts you in with a 1-2-3-4 is always a winner. (TS)
a
11 SHEARWATER – YOU AS YOU WERE
I only found Shearwater this year, and what a lovely band to find. Animal Joy is a very fine album and to me, You As You Were is the standout track. It a massive song, full of energy from start to finish. I kind of wish I’d had this song with me a decade or so ago, it would have suited me down to the ground. (PP)
10 WE ARE AUGUSTINES – CHAPEL SONG
This song certainly stopped me in my tracks when I first heard it earlier in the year and continues to do so – always something new to ponder over in those heartbreaking lyrics. Thankfully I am normally left feeling more upbeat than melancholy but its a close call. A song of genius. (PP)
This is The Jam’s The Bitterest Pill brought bang up to date and made better. The song is from the view of a fella stood in a chapel whilst the love of his life walks down the aisle … with another bloke. Suffice to say, he’s not in a good place and the vocals lend to this feeling of impotent misery perfectly. Strained, angry and a little menacing, the lyrics match the tune perfectly which is … well … strained, angry and a little menacing. (BSF)
a
9 TOM WILLIAMS & THE BOAT – TOO YOUNG
It has a guitar riff which burrows in to the brain like an old News of the World reporter in a celebrity’s wheelie bin. It took a while but now I understand that it’s utterly useless to resist any longer. Probably the most hummed tune of the year, which I think you’ll agree, is one hell of an accolade (CP)
For me, this tune has all the energy of being young with the class of being a little older! I have loved it for months and it does what a good song should – makes you smile, makes you get up and dance or certainly tap a foot. Lovely guitars and violins, with nice gentle vocals – great stuff. (PP)
a
8 LAST AMERICAN BUFFALO – BABY I’M ALIVE
A lament to a lost love: “I swear I saw a ghost, I swear I saw his eyes, since when we fell in love on Mulholland Drive”. The riff is catchy and the vocals are perfect for the sentiment of the song. It’s a broken heart that will bleed all over you from the opening notes to the final chord. If you’re the lady with coffee-coloured skin who inspired this piece of art, thank you. Now go back to your lover and make him happy again. (BSF)
a
7 DELTA SPIRIT – CALIFORNIA
How do you write such heartbroken lyrics and marry them to such upbeat music? You move to California, buy a drum machine a keyboard and off you jolly well go. Big emotion, high impact, fantastic tune. (Mrs M)
6 KYLE ADEM – BROTHER FOLLOW
It’s a grower, this one. The momentum builds gradually, together with the tension, as it heads towards a passionate finale where the female vocal answers the male. A little bit of flute, banjo, bass drum – it’s quite a complex musical arrangement, while the lyrics hint at feudal times. Phew. It packs a punch. (Mrs M)
He really has created a brute of a song; it seems to throb with the wretchedness of the whole thing. I like music that takes you out of your comfort zone and it uses some alarmingly savage imagery to remind us just how nasty our society has become. Backed up with a fearsome delivery that makes this a real ‘sit bolt upright and ask what the hell was that’ on first listen, thankfully it doesn’t dilute with time. (CP)
5 WILLY MASON – RESTLESS FUGITIVE
From the opening beats and distinctive guitar I’m happy… we’re in proper Chris T Popper territory here! Mason’s distinctive vocals compliment the somniferous atmosphere perfectly. (CP)
With rumbling percussion, echoing guitars and an almost reggae-like rhythm, Willy Mason announced his return after a five year hiatus with this outstanding tune, a dusty, world-weary hymn to moving on. (MM)
A slow and ominous beat that is undeniably contemporary Americana but reminds me a little of reggae and The Clash too. (BSF)
a
4 THE FELICE BROTHERS – LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
School run anthem 2012: a fine country drawl, a fine country band. Learn the words, sing it loud; altogether now: ”I been missing you so listen/I liked to ask you can we drive through town”. (Mrs M)
A cheerful, rollicking, foot-tapper of a tune with a chorus as infectious as Chlamydia. If you’re ever feeling a bit down, stick this on and you’ll be as right as rain and imagining yourself leaving the Garden State with your soft top down. Unmistakeably Felice, understandably brilliant. (BSF)
3 FIRST AID KIT – THE LION’S ROAR
Brilliant vocals – all pure and clean and I still marvel at the number of words you can get into one sentence and still sound melodic. Certainly one of the best of the year. (PP)
Incredible voices, perfect harmonies and a big slice of Americana from two Swedes (who would have thought it) which just keeps rolling along like a boat bobbing over the waves. It is made even better by what sounds like “every time it all shits one way or the other” at the end of the second verse, and it is also Mrs Toy’s favourite so it has to be high in the line-up. (TS)
There is something about this folk style that really appeals. It is a very profound and beautiful song. (SB)
a
2 EMIL FRIIS – SAND IN YOUR EYES
Possesses a rhythmic simplicity that always manages to pick me up and transport me off somewhere else, and that’s a fairly big plus in my life. Throughout Friis effortlessly orchestrates all this with his lyrics resonating long after the song ends, which is usually when I stick it on again. Just a fantastic record full of little twists and turns with an occasional (friendly) cuff round the ear to keep your attention. (CP)
A very elegant tune, a quiet beginning and then the dark and brooding piano arrives slowly building before the lyrics kick in. It feels like it should be the soundtrack to a very brilliant film (is it?) Any how, it’s worth several listens, especially with a glass of wine or a cocktail or two. (PP)
a
1 WE ARE AUGUSTINES – JUAREZ
This might not be the first song written about the troubled Mexican border city but it’s the best by a country mile. From the outset, you’re sat beside the storyteller under a ferocious Mexican sun and the car you’re in is kicking up dust as it speeds away from Juarez. The lyrics are harsh and drip with regret and sadness but they paint a fantastic, brutal picture. The vocals are unmistakeable and the tune both memorable and uplifting. Beautiful in every way except for the sentiment. (BSF)
I have neither “a saint for a brother nor a drunk for Mother”…anyway, with a great tune, and amazing vocals – my favourite of the year! (MS)
Love this, love his distinctive voice. Best line for me “I got jukebox tears under turquoise skies”, no idea what it means though… (SB)
a
So there we have it – 100 great tunes to soundtrack another brilliant year of music.Don’t forget to check all the other chosen tunes that we’ve posted all week too – just click for 100 – 81, 80 – 61, 60 – 41, and 40 – 21.
Extra special thanks to the MM contributors this year: Mrs Mackerel (Mrs M), Christy Popper (CP), Barry-Sean (BSF), Polly Pocket (PP), Dr Roddy (DR), Starbie (SB), Middle Sprat (MS) and Toy Steve (TS). Starting tomorrow, you can check their individual choices on MM too.
Five to One is a new mini interview series with some of MM’s favourite artists.
Simone Felice was the drummer as well as a vocalist and a guitarist in The Felice Brothers. Simone is also an author, having released books entitled Goodbye Amelia, Hail Mary, Full of Holes and Black Jesus. Simone Felice left the Felice Brothers in 2009. Simone Felice has released one of the year’s finest albums, and in Hey Bobby Ray, one of the year’s finest songs. His new EP New York Times is released today (buy it here).
Five words to describe your music?
Autumnal. Desperate. Lost. Found. Dusk.
One book you’d recommend to an alien?
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner.
Five bands (or albums) that have most influenced you?
Joni Mitchell. Bob Dylan. Sandy Denny. James Taylor. Nick Drake.
One moment in time you’d like to have witnessed?
Churchill’s speech, June 4, 1940.
Five people (living or dead) you’d love to share a stage-jam with?
Jimi Hendrix, Beethoven, John Bonham, Nina Simone, Ben Keith
One biggest regret in your career (to date)?
That I haven’t learned to really play the piano.
Five things on your perfect rider?
Single malt from shetland, a cure for loneliness, a cure for anger, a real knife, a true love.
One hour to live – who would you spend it with, and why?
My little daughter. because she’s life itself.
Five perfect songs:
Abraham, Martin and John || Lay Down Your Weary Tune || For The Roses || Many Rivers To Cross || Creatures Of The Wind
One song of yours that you’d most like to be played in 50 years time:
Charade
Here we are again – a massive free mix containing the cream of last month’s posts, a couple of new tunes and, all in all, an eclectic set of top quality tunes to kick off the onset of autumn for you. From folk to garage, from country to psychedelia and from originals to covers, there is a multifaceted, multifarious, heterogeneous, assorted miscellaney of delights for you.
Download Simone Felice – War Movie mp3 (from New York Times EP)
Haunting, subtle and fragilely beautiful
Download Fire Mountain – Black Heart mp3 (from Of The Dust EP)
Rolling strum and sway, shot through with melancholy and just a tinge of possible redemption
Download The Reflections – Summer Days mp3 (from Summer Days single)
Hypnotic and hazy, classic introspective indie rock with a dash of chillwave
Marissa Nadler – Save Me A Place
Gorgeous Fleetwood Mac cover
a
Download Upside Drown – Sheltering Sky mp3 (from Mood Music)
Six minute mini-epic from new female garage rock duo
Teitur – Jailhouse Gumbo Jones
Another slice of excellent Americana from our favourite folk troubadour from the Faroe Islands
a
Zulus – Death In The Current
Slightly ‘poppier’ hardcore. Still with plenty of bite!
a
Download Lilly Hiatt & The Dropped Ponies – Championship Fighter mp3 (from Let Down)
A country-folk song of sweetly strummed acoustics and mournful twang
Santah – Indigo
Loose-limbed, roving style of Americana that sits somewhere between Crazy Horse, Wilco and the tropical rhythms of Vampire Weekend.
a
The Veda Rays – Cop Knock
Melodies twist and writhe under shimmering guitars and sepia tinged vocals (and has more than a hint of The Walkmen about it)
a
Download Kaki King – Great Round Burn mp3 (from Glow)
Taut, straining acoustics signal a slight departure in style
Download Lord Huron – Brother mp3 (from Lonesome Dreams)
Another excellent taste from folkies forthcoming album
Wickerbird – Druids
Lo-fi, ambient folk that is as haunting as it is ethereal
a
Download Murder By Death – Lost River mp3 (from Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon)
Brooding and cinematic first taste from forthcoming album Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon
Download Quarter Mile Thunder – Tell Me mp3 (from Twist)
Strong, captivating folk-rock immersed in sparse, haunting atmospherics.
Download Jason Karaban – Misplaced mp3 (from Shift)
Beautiful vignette of melodic chamber pop – warm, introspective and gently humorous
Crushed Out – Weigh You Down
Pure guitar/drum adrenalin rush, plenty of fuzz, tremolo, riffs, chunky chords, slide and Black Sabbath power chords
a
Download Tweak Bird - People mp3 (from Undercover Crops EP)
Throw some southern rock and blues boogie, some Creedence style chooglin’, jackhammer percussion, and engine sludge into a pot and then sweeten the deal with a whole brick of Lebanese gold before inviting you to inhale deeply of the results
Download RTB2 – God Will Be The One To Blame mp3 (from 2)
Mixes fuzz, farfisa and a lurching backbeat with an infectious rock hook
Download Eight Belles – Nolchi mp3 (from Girls Underground)
The catchy twang and mountain-stream-clear vocals of Nolchi sounds just like it comes from the heyday of Loretta Lynn or Patsy Cline
Download Your Youth – Thick Gold (Bodied) mp3 (from Battery EP)
Two and a half minute of chainsaw guitars
Pete Fij & Terry Bickers – I Don’t Give A Shit About You
Underneath the sweary surface is actually a love song of sorts. Not only that, it is brilliant.
a
Batwings Catwings – Blue Dream
Sounds like it has come snarling and spitting out of CBGBs in 1978 and gleefully kicked every backside it has come across ever since.
a
Download Tall Heights – I Don’t Know, I Don’t Know mp3 (from The Running Of The Bulls EP)
Duo with captivating vocal harmonies that drive a folk-inspired accompaniment of cello and acoustic guitar
Communist Daughter – Ghosts
Heavy on bittersweet harmonies, introspective lyricism and swirling atmospheric melodies, this gorgeous track with its echoes of classic era Fleetwood Mac is an absolute gem
a
Download Michael Ainsley – Rainy Lonely Day mp3
Brilliant slice of introspective, piano led melancholy that calls to mind Robert Wyatt
Naomi Punk – Burned Body
Every bit as visceral, bloody and nerve-shreddingly noisy as the title suggests
a
Magic Arm – Put Your Collar Up
Infectious folk anthem thrown off centre by detuned pianos and woozy synth noises
a
Download Black Forest Fire – Live News Feed mp3 (from Transit Of Venus)
Slow burning, pulsating maelstrom that is just as likely to melt your eyeballs under a sonic assault as take you meditatively to a higher plane
Golden Void – The Curve
Brilliant, galloping riffage that makes you want to dust off the denims, put in some hair extensions and throw some shapes with the old air guitar…
a
Download Peace – Tattoo mp3 (from The World Is Too Much With Us)
Bass-lines menace and hypnotize, guitar solos explode suddenly in wah-pedal freak-outs, tom-toms thud with a tribal intensity and lyrics alternate between images of defiant despair and love-sick yearning
And fresh into the mix we have the ramshackle garage-punk of Everything Burns, being Ceremony’s side of their new split single with forthcoming tour mates Titus Andronicus, and the second single of dark tinged post-grunge and indie rock from Sweden’s Honey Mustard.
We have a taste of the Pear Traps new EP Elsewhere, which is full of hazy, bittersweet indie – try Santa Fe below, or pick up the whole thing on a “pay what you want” deal from Bandcamp here.
Lastly we have A Classic Education’s cover of Elvis Presley’sCrawfish (from the film King Creole), which is the b-side from a new series of 7″ singles from Covo Club.
Enjoy, and don’t forget to check out all our other Best Of the Month mixes in the sidebar.
Download Ceremony – Everything Burns mp3 (from Split Single with Titus Andronicus)
Download The Pear Traps – Santa Fe mp3 (from Elsewhere EP)
Download – A Classic Education – Crawfish mp3 (from Little Red Riding Hood / Crawfish 7″)
Simone Felice will release a brand new EP entitled New York Times on 22nd October via Reveal records and will also be touring the UK this month. The EP comes as the follow up to his critically acclaimed (and MM fave) debut solo album, the self titled Simone Felice which was released in April.
As well as the title track which comes from the album, the EP features four unreleased out-takes from the album sessions including the previously unheard War Movie, which has been made available for free download. It features fellow Felice Brother, James playing a haunting, subtle accordion and is another example of superb songwriting. Click through to grab it gratis below.
Sep 14 – Chapel Arts Centre, Bath
Sep 15 – The Duchess, York
Sep 16 – The Musician, Leicester
Sep 17 – The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge
Sep 18 – The Maltings, Ely
Sep 20 – Arts Centre, Norwich
Sep 21 – Union Chapel, London
Sep 22 – The Greystones, Sheffield
Sep 24 – The Met, Bury
Sep 25 – Kazimer, Liverpool
So then, half way through the year already. Time to take stock and see what the first six months have delivered up in terms of new tunes and bands. We asked some of the regular MM contributors to pick three songs that have particularly struck a chord (sorry) with them in the first part of 2012.
Kyle Adem – Brother Follow
Unlike Brains by Lower Dens this was an instant hit. A real earthy campfire ditty with a grotesque sentiment I fully approve of. I make no apology for repeating the line MM brought to our attention in late April. ‘So our sisters became whores, and our brothers savage carnivores, devouring the bodies of our fathers’. Well that got my attention… and I’m pleased to report the quality of musicianship effortlessly matches the lyrics. Building in to a stomping climax sung with a equal parts desperation and aggression it may well be my song of the year so far. Kyle Adem I salute you sir. (CP)
Aesop Rock – Zero Dark Thirty
What a start. What a tune, The bassline holds you down, whilst the drums jump on your chest. Lyrically Aesop Rock is head and shoulders above most of his competitors in this genre. His delivery, subject matter and phraseology is so unique and fresh it’s no wonder he has won such plaudits from his peers. The lyric “Spinning in the shadows of immoral magnets / are we supporting the artist or enabling the addict” shows great skill. This kind of poetry is sadly lacking in most of the so called Hip Hop that is touted round the charts, like music in a gimp suit. However it is the music that backs up all the wordplay that had me all over this track like White on rice. (Dr R)
a
The Alabama Shakes – Hang Loose
A great summer song with a real laid back feel to it The line “Hang loose / let the ocean worry about being blue” sums up the vibe of this track perfectly. I love the guitar intro that meanders along through the song providing a nice country accent to it. The drums are hard edged and drive the song along beautifully. There are also elements of soul to both the track and definitely to Brittany Howard’s vocals that seem to drape around this song effortlessly. To be honest on a sunny day, with a cold beer and this track, you can drift off to anywhere in the world. (Dr R)
Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny – Liliputt
In what should be Liz’s year, I say all hail the coronation of Queen B. From the sweeping string arrangements, to her falsetto harmonies, to the thrumming hooves of percussion that build the momentum, here is a tune that marks the musical originality – and arrival – of the one and only BJH. “I might die without these words having left my mouth” – OK then, I’ll say it: genius. (Mrs M)
a
Richard Buckner – Willow
Ballad is sometimes a bit of a bastardised term, but don’t let Bonnie Tyler et al put you off. This is the real deal. “I can still remember…” so much melancholy and longing hinted at, both lyrically and musically. The simple arrangement dips and sways, well, like a willow tree actually, and is broken by a lovely twangy guitar bit, two verses in. I have always been a sucker for a man with a sad song and a guitar. Tick, tick. (Mrs M)
Download Richard Buckner – Willow mp3 (from Willow EP)
Father John Misty – Writing A Novel Father John Misty’s album Fear Fun has been one of our most played of the year. It is lewd, bawdy, irreverent, frank and honest. Picking just one track is near nigh impossible, but in the end I went for Writing A Novel, carried along on a jaunty, rolling rhythm and spewing forth a lyrical stream of consciousness that borders on genius, and contains one of the years simplest and best lines, “I”m writing a novel, because its never been done before“. (MM)
Simone Felice – Hey Bobby Ray Simone Felice is brother to the wonderful but ‘dark’ Felice Brothers. While his brothers sing about tragic lives and deaths, murders and gun-toting alcoholics, Simone … well Simone does the same. Just on his own. Hey Bobby Ray is the story of a sex attacker who is going to get what is coming to him. It starts slowly with Mr Felice’s slightly tortured vocals and builds to a point where a gospel choir chips in. It’s brilliant! (B-SF)
a
Field Report – I Am Not Waiting Any More
I nearly chose Fergus Falls by Field Report for a place in my top three, but this tune just has the edge. There are some songs that stop you in your tracks and some that creep up slowly – this one is definitely a track stopper. A beautiful tune – understated, haunting and melancholy – a perfect combination I reckon! (PP)
First Aid Kit – The Lions Roar
What is not to love about this tune? For me its the stunning vocals and those harmonies that get me every time, and lyrics that deserve to be listen to several times over but still leave you wondering just how do you get so many words into one sentence? Overall its a cracker and I am sure it will remain a favourite throughout the year. (PP)
Download First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar mp3 (from The Lion’s Roar) Taken down under DMCA notice due to some retarded fuckwit not knowing the song was given away as a free download everywhere. Contact us first you muppet and we’ll show you the authorisation we have to post. Anyway, you can get it via Soundcloud instead.
a
Gravenhurst – The Foundry
A record of almost otherworldly, ambient folk, the world view of Gravenhurst is a deeply unsettling one. The Foundry is played out over a backdrop of acoustics so profoundly beautiful that the sourness of the lyrics pack an even greater punch. “And you won’t know when evil comes, evil looks just like anyone, and I blame, I blame, I blame anyone but me“. Like having your first French kiss and finding your tongue’s been bitten off. (MM)
a
Last American Buffalo – Baby I’m Alive
Just for a change, a love song has captured my imagination. It’s not one of those cheerful or smoochy love songs though. I don’t think this will ever end the night at the Stonesfield Disco. No, this song celebrates love but is sung in such a way that it relays the pain that even the most loving relationships can bring. And the guitar backing is just beautiful. (B-SF)
a
Lower Dens – Brains
This one was definitely a grower, passing undetected until that magic eureka moment when you start glowing with the realisation you just love this damn song. Hypnotic and insistent – it keeps metaphorically pulling at your sleeve like a child who’s seen the ice cream van. It will not be denied. Lovingly textured with synth, drums while sung with a laid back approach that matches the music perfectly it doesn’t slip in to any particular category easily. I like that. There is something indefinable about what appeals and why I like it – which makes it fabulous in my book. (CP)
a
Lumineers – Ho Hey
I think the beauty of this song is its simplicity… From its rhythmic opening bars, steady beat and chanted ‘Ho Hey’ over a picked guitar you then realise it’s anything but simple. The composition is wonderfully subtle, far more thoughtful and precise than you first realise. It’s also a joyful record, the momentum sweeps you along until you find yourself yelping out the chorus far too loud and usually in public. Be careful if you go the gym and have it blasting out of your ipod – funny looks are certain to follow…(CP)
a
Willy Mason – Restless Fugitive
With rumbling percussion, echoing guitars and an almost reggae-like rhythm, Willy Mason announced his return after a five year hiatus with Restless Fugitive, a dusty, world-weary hymn to moving on, and in doing so might have just provided us with the song of the year so far. (MM)
Monument Valley – The Very First Alarm
A gorgeous, melancholy tune, that describes the moment you properly understand that you’re not going to get your lover back, and the torrent of memories and emotions that comes with that realisation. This could have been a bit soppy, but it is lifted by a haunting guitar sound and some dark lyrics, that make you smile. “You never minded too much being see through / Until you worked out who was behind you”. Don’t, however, play this to your little brother who has just split up with his girlfriend of six years, because the look in his eyes will make a bit of your soul die. Fact! (Dr R)
a
Rachel Sermanni – The Fog
Rachel Sermanni has such a beautiful voice with the most incredible vocal range. I love the violins throughout which help to give it such a rich, polished sound. To me, there is something really enchanting about this song, but not in a light hearted, frivolous way, it has a mischievous heart and carries with it an air of darkness (which to my mind should be encouraged!) (PP)
a
Tunng – Jenny Again
I’m a sucker for a story song. The more grim the story, the better I like it. Usually those songs are played out to menacing guitar riffs or slowly plucked blues strings. Not this one. This is a jaunty little number that trips along whilst the ‘narrator’ tells about how his life was ended by ‘the other man’ who then runs off and has a pretty nice life with his Jenny. You’ve really got to listen to it. (B-SF)
a
The Walkmen – Heartbreaker The Walkmen might have been around for over a decade but this is a fresh cut for the men from NYC. It’s not the singer, it’s the song, sings Hamilton Leithauser – actually it’s both. Cue a deft guitar riff to start, bring in your pedal drum and I’m already out of my seat. Slight retro ambience, this tune just oozes style and cool. It really is the perfect tempo dance number for my ageing fins. How can you not? It would be rude. Love it, love it, love it. (Mrs M)
Thanks to Mrs Mackerel (Mrs M), Christy-Popper (CP), Polly Pocket (PP), Barry-Sean (BS-F) and Dr. Roddy (Dr R) for their selections. Why not tell us whose choices you like best?
Having seen his brothers (and former bandmates) in Birmingham not much more than three weeks ago, last night it was the turn of eldest Felice brother, Simone, playing at the start of his lengthy UK tour at Oxford’s Jericho Tavern.
Simone Felice is a songwriter of rare talents, someone who has experienced considerable highs and lows in his relatively short career and whose two close encounters with death have left him well placed to document tales of tragedy and to thread an authentic melancholy narrative through much of his new self-titled album.
Playing live he lacks the more obvious ragged, rustic charm of his brothers, instead relying on warmer, lusher acoustics with picked guitar lines and a gentle organ sound. He chats amiably and with good humour between each song, often in stark contrast to the subject matter. He deadpans about his mother starting to notice her sons’ songs on the radio and asking why they were always about murder, guns, whiskey, or car-jackings before introducing the wonderful Don’t Wake The Scarecrow as a song about a heroin-addicted prostitute who dies at the end.
These are songs and stories shot through with contemplation and reflection. Opener New York Times is about Michael Jackson, Stormy-Eyed Sarah about a long-lost first love, a feisty preacher’s daughter who would get beaten black and blue, and album stand out Hey Bobby Ray is the bleakly unflinching story of retribution for a sexual predator. From his Duke & The King days we get the wary If You Ever Get Famous and Summer Morning Rain, while the mood is briefly broken for the uplifting 60s gospel folk of You & I, a paean to daughter Pearl.
All too quickly we are at the encore singalong of Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door, which leaves the crowd swaying gently along to the echoing refrain as the last notes fade and disappear into the Jericho’s cramped confines. Given his back story it was an appropriate way to end the night, and it is a memorable one for all concerned.
We’ve been trawling through a whole mass of videos recently and here are some of our favourites assembled for your viewing and listening pleasure.
First up is Crybaby’s video for excellent debut I Cherish The Heartbreak More Than The Love That I Lost, shot in the gloomy surrounds of Bristol hospital and is a noirish loveletter to the exquisite pain of a broken heart.
a
Hotly tipped Essex 4-piece The Milk’s new single Broke Up The Family is a stormer of an anthem.
a
Death Hawk are new to us, and it isn’t the greatest video to be fair, but the pounding psychedelia and Sabbath like riffs of new song Shining has been a real treat and makes it worth sharing.
a
By Contrast, Saint Motel’sAt Least I Have Nothing is a introspective work made up of a combination of 16mm, Super 8, Flip-Cam, Video, Cell Phone, and still photography that they’ve accumulated throughout the years. It fits the upbeat nostalgia of the song perfectly.
a
Describing her sound as ‘Doom Soul’, Cold Specks’ music is steeped in the musical traditions of the Deep South. With influences from the Lomax Field Recordings and James Carr to Bill Callahan and Tom Waits, her sparse arrangements and chain gang rhythms stop you dead in your tracks.
a
Hindershot make unusual, complex, catchy indie-pop that calls to mind everything from Soft Cell to T-Rex. The video for Curse Us All is a colourful one of wanton destruction.
a
Brother Gruesome have featured a few times on MM and are established faves of ours. This is the video for the pounding Cut It Out, a song off their cassette tape that was released by Slanty Shanty Records in 2010. A little late coming, but it is a great song with a cool video featuring street artists from Oklahoma.
a
You & I Belong is the first single from Simone Felice’s debut solo album. Another great song, fun video.
a
Danish sextet Alcoholic Faith Mission has debuted a new video for Running With Insanity from new album Ask Me This. Watch it and download it.
a
a
We take a considerably more rustic turn with Max & The Wild Things video for the excellent Wind Through The Window. Just the feel of a barn-dance stomp and that banjo lead was enough to remind me of the halcyon days of the Cropdusters.
a
Popstrangers hail from New Zealand and make a most edifying racket from a cauldron of grunge, shoegaze, psychedelia and noise pop. The video for What Else Could They Do comes heartily recommended.
a
We’re hoping for big things for Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny this year. This is a live session recording for the new single Sweet Tooth Bird. Like sherbert filled with razor blades.
a
Beirut have just posted a new video for Vagabond from last year’s excellent The Rip Tide.
a
Sweet Lights have this beautifully animated video for Endless Town – the new single out on March 5th via Highline.
a
The Skints are about as close to rap as we get, but this hybrid of rap, ragga, rock and ska beats on Ratatat is undeniably infectious. Like the Selecter crossed with Senser…maybe.
s
Short is sweet, with this 90 second video for Pillow Talk’s rootsy Faux Fur, the lead track from their new EP of the same name.
a
Gently harmonious five-piece Good Dangers feature a stripped back version of their song Abigail, filmed in a skate park. Download the full version too.
s
a
And lastly, new MM faves Town Hall have produced their own unique take on Ja Rule & Ashanti’sAlways on Time. Watch it and download it.
Here is our final monthly Best Of mix of songs from 2011 – despite all the Christmas fayre on offer, there were still a whole plethora of cracking new tracks to enjoy, and as always we’ve gathered the best of our December posts into one lovely mix for you with a couple of new tracks to sample too. Don’t forget to check out all our previous monthly mixes in the sidebar on the left.
And off we go…
Download Horse’s Mouth – As I Climb mp3 (from Horse’s Mouth)
Opens with a plaintive vocal and soon develops into a classically harmonious folk-song with its gentle, repeated “Out of time” refrain and orchestrally tinged instrumentation.
Download Drunken Prayer – Always Sad mp3 (from Into The Missionfield)
Heavy on percussion, gut-bucket guitars are bluesy and psychedelic; the horn arrangements are loose and buoyant and best of all, the lyrics are as sweet as they are damning.
Download Ohioan – Sometimes mp3 (from Balls Deep In Babylon)
Mournful harmonica driven, down-at-heel traditional folk.
Download Phantom Family Halo – White Hot Gun mp3 (from When I Fall Out)
Perfect mix of pummelling krautrock with raw, glam overtones.
Download Redanda – This Bed Is A Rock (via Soundcloud)
Bursting with a brashness and sneered vocals that has more attitude crammed into its two minutes and a few seconds of whiplash drumming and guitar that many bands manage in a career.
a
Download Simone Felice – New York Times (via Soundcloud)
Spellbinding new single from forthcoming solo album.
a
Download Damon Moon & The Whispering Drifters – Seasonal Suite No. 62 (via Soundcloud)
A real treat for all those who for all those who love the gritty, raw, unconventional and downright bitter and bruised side of country music.
a
And the new…we have The XX with their demo of new track Open Eyes, the second single of sunburnt lo-fi pop from Inspired And The Sleep, a brand new slice of antiphonal guitar-gymnastics called Mortise And Tenon from London based math-punk trio Mayors Of Miyazaki and first on the list is another taste from Real Estate’s excellent album Days. Enjoy them all!
Having seen 
Playing live he lacks the more obvious ragged, rustic charm of his brothers, instead relying on warmer, lusher acoustics with picked guitar lines and a gentle organ sound. He chats amiably and with good humour between each song, often in stark contrast to the subject matter. He deadpans about his mother starting to notice her sons’ songs on the radio and asking why they were always about murder, guns, whiskey, or car-jackings before introducing the wonderful Don’t Wake The Scarecrow as a song about a heroin-addicted prostitute who dies at the end.
