We missed posting about the new Material Life EP from Lightning Dust a couple of months ago. Mentioning Amber Webber in our earlier post today reminded us and we thought better late than never! The two tracks made a sprightly summer foil to the autumnal darkness of last year’s wonderful LP Spectre. Going for a live-from-the-garage feel, the duo of Amber and Joshua Wells invited … Continue reading ICYMI: Lightning Dust – Material Life EP
The Nude Party are set to return with their second album Midnight Manor, on October 2nd via New West Records. They have shared an excellent new song from it titled What’s The Deal. They describe the song as “… a cross section of 1967 hitting the Stones, Velvet Underground and more, but its raucous vibe belies more serious themes.” Frontman Patton Magee says, “I was … Continue reading The Nude Party – Midnight Manor
First Aid Kit recently shared their archived cover of Willie Nelson’s classic On The Road Again, alongside an charming homemade tour video. The band’s first release since 2018’s Ruins LP and Tender Offerings EP, On The Road Again is a previously unreleased cover that First Aid Kit made seven plus years ago, and is another lovely addition to their extensive catalog of covers. Continue reading ICYMI – First Aid Kit cover Willie Nelson
Following the early August surprise single release of Baby Let’s Make It Real, EELS have unveiled another new track titled Who You Say You Are. Band leader Mark Oliver Everett, a.k.a. E, says, “Here’s a way to forget your troubles for two minutes and 55 seconds. Listen to this song and think about my problems instead. You’re welcome!” Listen to both below. A limited edition 7” … Continue reading New from EELS
Got a whole load of tunes from the last three weeks to catch up on and share. First up is Adia Victoria’s new single, South Gotta Change. It is a mix of swampy blues and soul which combines powerful protest with cool, sharp-eyed reflection. Continue reading Adia Victoria – South Gotta Change
Absolutely gutted to hear of the passing of Justin Townes Earle. He was one of those songwriters that I turned to when I needed space or time to think, when that melancholy reflectiveness sometimes sneaks up and overwhelms you or when I needed a song that just knew how it was to try and, for whatever reason, not succeed. I have a lot of favourite … Continue reading RIP Justin Townes Earle
The third song to be shared from Blitzen Trapper’s upcoming long player Holy Smokes Future Jokes is Dead Billie Jean. It is another marvellous example of their surreal, psychedelic take on Americana with frontman Eric Earley saying, “Pulling together Saunders’ Lincoln in the Bardo and MJ’s Billie Jean wherein the real Billie Jean has indeed killed herself as she promised Michael she would and now … Continue reading Blitzen Trapper – Dead Billie Jean
Pennsylvania folk/rock duo Native Harrow are back with a new song, Shake, the first to be taken from new long-player Closeness (out on the 4th September via Loose). Taking cues from classic Laurel Canyon folk, pastoral psychedelia and baroque pop, the band expertly craft a kind of timeless, vintage Americana that entwines nostalgia with immediacy creating a classic cocoon of sound and melody that you can … Continue reading Native Harrow – Shake
Each week Popper, Joe Fish and me meet to discuss an album, rate it and pick our three best and one worst selection from the record. NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE RUST NEVER SLEEPS (1979) 8.5 Popper 7.0 Joe Fish 8.4 Mad Mackerel AVERAGE: 8.0 THREE TOP TRACKS 1 MY MY, HEY HEY (OUT OF THE BLUE) 2 POCAHONTAS 3 POWDERFINGER LEAST FAVOURITE SEDAN DELIVERY Continue reading Mad Mackerel Music Club # 2
New Bloodshot Records compilation album Pandemophenia, is only available for download or stream on Bandcamp. It’s a collection of 17 limited or never-before-released tracks by the likes of Murder By Death, Laura Jane Grace & the Devouring Mothers, William Elliott Whitmore, Cory Branan, Ruby Boots, Ramblin’ Deano & Jon Langford, Ha Ha Tonka, Scott H. Biram, and plenty more. Featuring original songs, b-sides, alternate versions, … Continue reading Bloodshot Records Pandemophenia Compilation
The Mad Mackerel 