Video: William Fitzsimmons – Angel from Montgomery

Here is a lovely way to head in to the weekend with William Fitzsimmon’s cover of Angel from Montgomery, a tribute to the passing of the great John Prine. He says, “John Prine, like one of my other heroes, Townes Van Zandt, was a once in a generation writer. He distilled emotions down to simple phrases and timeless melodies. He wrote songs that seemed like they existed decades … Continue reading Video: William Fitzsimmons – Angel from Montgomery

madmackerelApril 24, 2020April 24, 2020Leave a comment

Americana, Country, Folk, Indie, Music, Rock

Return of the Roadside Graves

There is always a slight amount of trepidation that accompanies a new release from a much-loved band, especially one that has been quiet for a good long while. And there is always something a bit special when that trepidation turns to anticipation shortly into the first listen when you know they’ve not let you down, in fact far from it. So it is with the … Continue reading Return of the Roadside Graves

madmackerelApril 22, 2020April 22, 2020Leave a comment

Acoustic, Americana, Country, Music

RIP John Prine

John Prine was a late discovery for me – but some of his songs and lyrics have become some of my favourite ever. It was so desperately sad to hear the news of his passing this morning. I don’t think there has ever been a more desperate or more telling line than this found in his early classic Sam Stone, the poignant and unflinchingly bleak tale … Continue reading RIP John Prine

madmackerelApril 8, 2020Leave a comment

Americana, Blues, Country, Music

Steve Earle & The Dukes – Devil Put The Coal In The Ground

Steve Earle & The Dukes will release new album Ghosts of West Virginia on 22nd May via New West Records. The album centres on the Upper Big Branch coal mine explosion that killed twenty-nine men in that state in 2010, making it one of the worst mining disasters in American history. Investigations revealed hundreds of safety violations, as well as attempts to cover them up, and … Continue reading Steve Earle & The Dukes – Devil Put The Coal In The Ground

madmackerelFebruary 27, 20201 Comment

Americana, Country, Music

Samantha Crain – An Echo

Choctaw-American musician and songwriter Samantha Crain has shared a live performance video for her latest single, An Echo. The track is from her forthcoming album, A Small Death, out 1st May via Ramseur Records/Thirty Tigers and Real Kind Records/Communion Records. The new record finds the Oklahoma-based artist confronting decades of grief, trauma, and an incapacitating physical pain which left the singer home in bed and barely … Continue reading Samantha Crain – An Echo

madmackerelJanuary 31, 2020January 31, 2020Leave a comment

Alternative, Americana, Country, Garage, Indie, Music, Rock

Black Lips – Rumbler

Just picked this up off our Soundcloud feed (which is pretty crappy nowadays so God knows what they’ve done to it). Anyway, stalwart Atlanta based underground garage rockers Black Lips will release new album Sing… in a World that’s Falling Apart via Fire Records at the end of this week. We’re told the twelve-song collection marks the quintet’s most pronounced dalliance with country music yet, … Continue reading Black Lips – Rumbler

madmackerelJanuary 21, 2020January 20, 2020Leave a comment

Alternative, Americana, Country, Electronic, Folk, Garage, Hip Hop, Indie, Music, Pop, Post Punk, Punk, Rap, Rock

Mad Mackerel’s Best of 2019: Chris T Popper’s Top Ten Tunes

Chris T Popper has been with MM from the very first post. Every year he produces his own list of favourite tunes and here are his selections for 2019. This year he was helped by Stan the greyhound. Next year I’m hoping we get Stan’s choices… 10. She Keeps Bees – Kinship Never got bored of that opening drum groove. Backed up by Jessica … Continue reading Mad Mackerel’s Best of 2019: Chris T Popper’s Top Ten Tunes

madmackerelJanuary 21, 2020January 20, 2020Leave a comment

Alternative, Americana, Blues, Country, Folk, Garage, Indie, Music, Pop, Post Punk, Psychedelic, Rock

Mad Mackerel’s Best Songs of 2019 (Part 3)

And here we have the final part of our favourite tunes of 2019… Discover and enjoy. 25 UV Race – Mr Blame A brash, unapologetic race through proto-punk stomp and malodorous glam-punk aesthetics. 24 Lonesome Shack – The City is a Desert Anchored by an insistent country blues refrain that has a touch of something primal about it, and sounds like it could … Continue reading Mad Mackerel’s Best Songs of 2019 (Part 3)

madmackerelJanuary 20, 2020January 20, 2020Leave a comment

Alternative, Americana, Blues, Country, Folk, Garage, Indie, Music, Pop, Post Punk, Psychedelic, Rock

Mad Mackerel’s Best Songs of 2019 (Part 2)

50 Sleaford Mods – O.B.C.T 49 Deliluh – Freeloader Feast 48 The Paranoyds – Hungry Sam 47 Cherry Pickles – Lily Is A Spy 46 The Warlocks – Disfigured Figure 45 Silverbacks – Pink Tide 44 Marika Hackman – The One 43 Lonesome Shack – Too Bad 42 FEWS – Anything Else 41 Darrin Bradbury … Continue reading Mad Mackerel’s Best Songs of 2019 (Part 2)

madmackerelJanuary 18, 2020January 18, 2020Leave a comment

Acoustic, Alternative, Americana, Country, Electronic, Folk, Garage, Gothic, Indie, Music, Pop, Post Punk, Psychedelic, Punk, Rock

Mad Mackerel’s Songs of 2019 (Part 1)

We’ve decided to do things a bit differently this year – too many times in the past we’ve posted our favourite songs of the year and then discovered late releases we wished we’d added! And also 2019 was a shit year for the world – Brexit, Johnson, Trump, the world burning… at least there is music. So, way after everyone else has done theirs, here … Continue reading Mad Mackerel’s Songs of 2019 (Part 1)

madmackerelJanuary 15, 2020January 15, 2020Leave a comment