Thursday Means Eight Of The Best

Here are eight of the very best tracks to reach out to us from our inbox and the internet over the past few days. First up we have a new track from the forthcoming album Soft Will from Smith Westerns, which distills the spirit of Big Star into a delicately reverential tribute to classic 70s radio rock. We have the superbly maudlin, gloom-pop of Franklin the … Continue reading Thursday Means Eight Of The Best

New Album From Algernon Doll

We were pretty taken with our discovery of Algernon Doll’s debut long player, Camomile, last year. It was a record of uniquely off-kilter folk, and an often painfully raw and dark exploration of his struggles with extreme anxiety and bipolar disorder. Now he is back with a follow-up in the shape of Citalo-pop, which is out now via Common Records. Taster track Anti-them indicates that this … Continue reading New Album From Algernon Doll

MM Shorts 388: Jack Wilson

Jack Wilson is a singer-songwriter who is a new discovery for us. However, the two tracks he has released from his latest album, Spare Key (out June 18), are both gems – masterpieces of restrained emotion where spare, but powerful vocals weave between gentle strings and harmonies. A real treat of authentic folk storytelling. You can pre-order the album here. [Click through for free download] Continue reading MM Shorts 388: Jack Wilson

Introducing >>> Wooden Maria

Oliver Muto is a London-based folk musician playing under the moniker Wooden Maria. The self produced and self released eight track EP Bonfires & Bells is a lovely collection of pastoral folk that twists and winds around deceptively pretty melodies and unfurls like woodsmoke in the evening sunshine. Have a listen to opening track Harbinger and the more cryptic Dusty Road. More information can be … Continue reading Introducing >>> Wooden Maria

The Mason Brothers Release Falling Together Single

Taking equal inspiration from Elliott Smith, Wilco, and Pink Floyd; Mason Brothers are a contemporary roots band whose music bridges the gap between rock & roll, 1970s British folk and 21st century Americana. The band began as a partnership between Christian and James Mason, two Virginia-born brothers who grew up in Richmond and attended college at the nearby University of Virginia. Mason Brothers made their … Continue reading The Mason Brothers Release Falling Together Single

Mad Mackerel Recommends…Leeroy Stagger

We recently received a CD in the mail of Leeroy Stagger’s new release Truth Be Sold, which officially hit stores earlier this week. We have to confess to not being familiar with him previously (despite this being his eighth album), but a couple of spins later we were making up for lost time and checking out this fella’s background. Punk rock roots, ragged country and melancholy … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Leeroy Stagger

MM Shorts 387: Lipstick Lumberjack

With a name like Lipstick Lumberjack, it could only really be folk-pop in the vein of Rilo Kiley or the Fleet Foxes. And so it proves with the release of Desert Balloons, apparently the May release from their Year of Lumberjackery project. Every month of this year they will write, record, and self-produce a new single. Cascading white balloons rained on me While in the air … Continue reading MM Shorts 387: Lipstick Lumberjack

Videos of the Day: Waxahatchee || Grape Soda || Juan Wauters || Gauntlet Hair

Fine music videos to enjoy from Waxahatchee, Grape Soda, Juan Wauters of The Beets, and Gauntlet Hair who unveil the seedier side of life with their video for Human Nature. . Download Grape Soda – Obvious Signs mp3 (from Form A Sign) [Click through for free download] . . Continue reading Videos of the Day: Waxahatchee || Grape Soda || Juan Wauters || Gauntlet Hair