Before Christmas, Ex-Painters may have sent us just about the best ‘PR’ e-mail we’ve ever received. Hey Madness, I made a little record. I tried to make a folk version of Psychocandy. I got it all fucking wrong. 6 songs. 12 minutes. a Genius. You can buy it for $3 from Bandcamp here (this last bit was us). a Continue reading MM Shorts 295: Ex-Painters
The latest in the series of Tribute Albums to hit the digital shelves will be Reason To Believe – The Songs of Tim Hardin, which will be released on the 28th January via Full Time Hobby. Tim Hardin was a musicians’ musician, the inspiration behind a great many artists whose limelight he never procured for himself. Johnny Cash, Paul Weller, Echo and the Bunnymen, Scott … Continue reading Reason To Believe – Tim Hardin Tribute Album
Post-Breakdown Blues the new mini-album from Leeds-based musician (and ex Dinosaur Pile-Up member) Harry George Johns, is an incredibly personal diary of a dark and desperate time. As Winter 2011 was in full flow, Harry found himself confronting issues such as mental illness, heartbreak and homelessness. He stayed on a mate’s floor with a laptop and a few microphones, and inspired by this dark time, Harry wrote … Continue reading Harry George Johns – Post-Breakdown Blues
Yep, it is that time again. We’ve trawled back through all our e-mails, favourite blogs, and new music discoveries to bring you up to date with all that’s been good on the MM stereo recently. Because of the time of year it includes a few we missed from way back before Christmas, but which still more than deserve some ear-time – you may have missed … Continue reading Round Up Time Again – Part 1
Another Hundred Miles hones its telltale blend of gritty Americana rock on their second album A Thousand Weary Nights, which sees its official release today. Building on influences ranging from Tom Waits to Gillian Welch, this album spins classic tales of longing, loneliness, and revival. However, truth be told, so do lots of other folk – what sets this set apart from the rest of the … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends >>> Another Hundred Miles
Videos to enjoy from Everest Cale and the easy folky rhythms of Beast, from Eye And The Arrow and their warm invite to sample Honey Wine, from Newcastle’s Crooked Hands who hit the railroad for their video for the fragile, fluttering Under and finally the uncompromising garage rock of Gayze. a a a a a a a a Continue reading Videos of the Day: Everest Cale || Eye And The Arrow || Crooked Hands || Gayze
We first posted about the alcohol soaked, southern Gothic murder ballads from Rhubarb Whiskey and their album Cautionary Tales back in the summer of 2011. An intriguing bunch: in look and sound, they evoke sleazy San Francisco punk rock clubs and Weimar cabarets, just as much as they evoke the ghost towns and saloons of the Wild West. And on the 23rd of this month they will release … Continue reading New Album From Rhubarb Whiskey
It is fair to say that Blood Oaths Of The New Blues, the brand new album from Wooden Wand (out on Fire Records) is our first majorly anticipated release of 2013. James Jackson Toth has probably featured more on MM over the past 5 years than any other artist and following the success of last year’s critically acclaimed Briarwood, early reviews from the big boys (Pitchfork, … Continue reading Wooden Wand Releases Blood Oaths Of The New Blues
Swallows is an Americana band from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota that formed in 2008. Towards the end of last year they released Witching & Divining, the band’s second full-length album and fourth release. The rasping, gravelly vocals, sombre cello and chanted junkyard chorus on The Winnowing call to mind Tom Waits and The Wicker Man in equal measure. It is a combination we are liking rather a … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends >>> Swallows
The enigmatically named Pale Green Ghosts is the title track and first taste of John Grant’s forthcoming album, the follow up to 2010’s brilliant Queen of Denmark. Melding a twitchy, pulsating electronic beat with his trademark velvety vocals, the result is an intoxicating brew. Watch/listen here. Pre-order here. a Continue reading Listen To John Grant’s Pale Green Ghosts
The Mad Mackerel 