It has been a bonanza month at MM – our in-box overflows daily and here is another quick round-up of new stuff we’ve discovered. Once again we’re entirely failing to do the artists justice, but listen to the songs and if you like what you hear please do investigate them a bit more! Hotel & Highways album Lost River is an easy-going folk-tinged meditation on … Continue reading Friday’s New Music Mix
We know very little about Savaging Spires – their e-mail to us had no information other than a request to listen to a track, Bending The Rules For Brian. We did, firstly, who wouldn’t listen to a song with a title like that, and secondly it is taken from their debut eponymous album which is due out in September on Critical Heights – this is the … Continue reading Introducing…Savaging Spires
Probably like most blogs, there are a handful of bands out there for whom the mere mention of new material can cause great excitement. The Roadside Graves are one such band for us here at MM. Ever since we fell for the brilliant My Son’s Home album in 2009, and particularly the wonderful Far And Wide (which is simply one of our favourite songs of … Continue reading New Album From The Roadside Graves
We are loving Joyful In Song We Are by Mr Plow. It is the band’s second album following on from 2009’s Book Of Common Despair. This latest collection of twelve self-penned tracks are what MM loves best: dark country, tragic tales interspersed with dry, black humour. Mr Plow’s rich baritone voice lingers over a backdrop of twangy Gretsch guitars, shuffling drums and zinging flat top … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Mr Plow
We could have called this no sleep til Hoxton, being that MM and I were so severely short of shut-eye by the time we arrived at the London Hoxton Bar and Kitchen last night. Never mind though, all was well because we were there to see the Cave Singers on the only UK date of their European tour. If we were tired, the band could … Continue reading Live Review: The Cave Singers, Hoxton, London 23/5/11
Bahamas is singer-songwriter Afie Jurvanen who is also the touring guitarist for Feist as well. Already Yours is from his solo album Pink Strat which has been around a while apparently, but has started to pick up a lot of interest and buzz recently. Having given the track a couple of spins it is easy to see why and we’ll be adding him to our (admittedly … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Bahamas
We first got to know Pearl & The Beard via their excellent album God Bless Your Weary Soul, Amanda Richardson which contained some spitting and crackling folk tunes, prime amongst them the awesome Slow Motion Machine Gun – one of our favourite tracks of 2009. A few days ago they released the follow up, Killing The Darlings via label The Family Records. We’ve only just found out, … Continue reading New Album From Pearl & The Beard
It’s that time again. A few gems gathered from some of our favourite blogs and a couple of the blogosphere’s favourite big hitters with some new material. Pick ‘n’ mix time! The Black Lips follow the rather splendid Modern Art with another slice of premium garage rock from their new album Arabia Mountain, with New Direction. Thee Oh Sees also mine a rich seam of … Continue reading New Releases Round Up
In one of those strange quirks of coincidence, James Vincent McMorrow has been cropping up around here a few times recently. Firstly our mate (and pansy angler) Simon B went with his better half Tracey to his first gig since Goldsmiths in the 60s or something. Of course it was on her recommendation, and so he was dragged kicking and screaming in to the 21st … Continue reading New Video from James Vincent McMorrow
It’s TFI with a difference this week. For one, I’ve managed to write it on Friday, and for two, it’s a live review. And actually for three, it was quite a big trip: me and Jenny Wren, the strong and all too silent sat nav on a 140 mile round trip, winging our way to Brixton on a Thursday night in May. Hurray for the … Continue reading Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (20th May): Hurray For The Riff Raff Live Review
The Mad Mackerel 