MM’s 2011 Top Ten Series: No 8 Mad Mackerel

So, the penultimate entry before Mrs Mackerel finishes off this year’s set of Top Ten postings tomorrow is my very own. Without further ado… 10. Milk Music – Beyond Living Although it was released early in the year, I only discovered it recently. A full on, no holds barred, nihilistic 70s punk attitude and the very best of the heavyweight riffs of the grunge era is … Continue reading MM’s 2011 Top Ten Series: No 8 Mad Mackerel

New From Simone Felice

New York is the spellbinding new single by Simone Felice. However, it is not just the song itself, which comes from his forthcoming solo album and is undeniably a gem, but the back story that goes with it. On his own website there is the most incredible, and beautifully written, account (originally commissioned by The Guardian newspaper) of how he has twice been on the brink … Continue reading New From Simone Felice

MM’s 2011 Top Ten Series: No 7 Scottish Kate

Scottish Kate is a great friend of this blog and has often offered her (sometimes pithy) opinions on the world of music – and very good taste she has too. She also runs the always excellent (sometimes pithy), and often provocative blog A Burdz Eye View for all things Scottish (of course), political and musical. Here are her aural selections for 2011. The Burd’s Best … Continue reading MM’s 2011 Top Ten Series: No 7 Scottish Kate

(FESTIVE FEATURE) THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS No 10: THE ROADSIDE GRAVES

For our first ever Festive Feature on Mad Mackerel, we asked twelve of our favourite bands and artists of 2011 to answer twelve questions and we will publish them over the next twelve days taking us up to Christmas Eve. Ahh, time to welcome the ramshackle, loveable rogues that are the Roadside Graves. Is there a band we’ve loved more over the lifespan of Mad Mackerel? … Continue reading (FESTIVE FEATURE) THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS No 10: THE ROADSIDE GRAVES

MM’s 2011 Top Ten Series: No 6 Chris T Popper

Our sixth guest top ten comes courtesy of our very own Chris T Popper, a small but perfectly formed (and often irritating) younger sibling who has been stealing my records since he had invisible friends as a small child. Chris T Popper’s Top 10 10. Little Barrie – Tip It Over The Nottingham trio start off my top 10 with the fabulous Tip It Over. … Continue reading MM’s 2011 Top Ten Series: No 6 Chris T Popper

MM’s 2011 Top Ten Series: No 5 Barry-Sean

Next to share their favourites of the year is part man part canine Barry-Sean… What a fantastic year for music this has been for me. I don’t just mean for music that has been produced this year but more about the music that I’ve discovered from previous years (or, more accurately in most cases, music that has been discovered for me). And, because I’ve spent … Continue reading MM’s 2011 Top Ten Series: No 5 Barry-Sean

MM’s 2011 Top Ten Series: No 4 Dr Roddy

With probably the longest entry of 2011 we give the floor to regular MM contributor and top ten compiler…Dr Roddy. Well it seems to be that time of year again. I always spend 340 days looking forward to doing this and 25 agonising over it. This year especially though, as I think there has been a bumper harvest of great songs. When I looked at … Continue reading MM’s 2011 Top Ten Series: No 4 Dr Roddy

(FESTIVE FEATURE) THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS No 7: WOODEN WAND

MAD MACKEREL’S TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS For our first ever Festive Feature on Mad Mackerel, we asked twelve of our favourite bands and artists of 2011 to answer twelve questions and we will publish them over the next twelve days taking us up to Christmas Eve. Since starting Mad Mackerel it would probably be true to say that James Jackson Toth aka Wooden Wand has … Continue reading (FESTIVE FEATURE) THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS No 7: WOODEN WAND

(FESTIVE FEATURE) THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS No 6: OHIOAN

MAD MACKEREL’S TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS For our first ever Festive Feature on Mad Mackerel, we asked twelve of our favourite bands and artists of 2011 to answer twelve questions and we will publish them over the next twelve days taking us up to Christmas Eve. With the release this year of Balls Deep In Babylon, Ohioan delivered a dark, intense atmospheric album that drew on … Continue reading (FESTIVE FEATURE) THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS No 6: OHIOAN

MM’s 2011 Top Ten Series: No 2 Banner

For the second of our ‘guest’ top ten posts we are pleased to welcome the finger-choppin’ Banner to the roster with his first contribution to the end of year best of lists. “It’s been a great year musically and especially as this year I became a dad. I’d like to thank Doctor Roddy and Chris T Popper for their steady supply of CDs this year … Continue reading MM’s 2011 Top Ten Series: No 2 Banner