Mad Mackerel Recommends The James Low Western Front

The James Low Western Front may come from the lush climes of Portland, Oregon, but theirs is a sound that was born in towns like Nashville, Tennessee and Bakersfield, California. It shuffles, grooves, and sweats with the best of them, begging to be played through the in-dash stereo of a pickup truck. The eight-song collection on forthcoming release Whiskey Farmer focuses on the plight of … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends The James Low Western Front

MM Shorts 88: Ben Kweller’s New Album

Ben Kweller makes a welcome return to turntables and iPods with the release of his new album Go Fly A Kite (out Feb 7th). It is the follow up to his excellent 2009 offering Changing Horses. It has been a while coming, but the rather more rocking taster track Mean to Me suggests something of a different direction and that the wait will be well worth … Continue reading MM Shorts 88: Ben Kweller’s New Album

MM Shorts 87: Bel Air

We’ve taken our sweet time to get round to listening to this EP by Bel Air. Titled Fall (see, told you) this is the third instalment in their ‘Seasons’ EP project. It is four tracks of indie rock shot through with a dose of dusty Americana. Try the energetic guitar work on the rather epic Bigfoot Camaro. Download Bel Air – Bigfoot Camaro mp3 (from … Continue reading MM Shorts 87: Bel Air

Mad Mackerel Recommends…Kevin Gordon

I have to confess our interest in this album was piqued by a very favourable review in this month’s Uncut magazine, which, by pure coincidence, was followed by us getting a copy of the record in our in-box via Reviewshine. Although he has been around a good while and had songs covered by such luminaries as Levon Helm and Irma Thomas, this is his first … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Kevin Gordon

Settle down with a tasty murder ballad

Ah, how we love a good murder ballad! This weekend we visited our local independent record shop (the excellent Rapture in Witney) for the annual Record Store Day extravaganza. As well as picking up the latest Chapel Club 7″ and a copy of the limited edition 4AD taster for the latest Big Pink track we couldn’t help but purchase unheard a copy of a CD … Continue reading Settle down with a tasty murder ballad