Erland & The Carnival’s self-titled debut album was one of our surprise finds of 2010, a clever and engaging blend of experimental and unusual folk and, in The Derby Ram, they had one of the most lyrically caustic songs of the year. They have returned with their new album Nightingale, and the band have not stood still. Recorded in the bowels of a boat on … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Erland & The Carnival
Indie folksters Arborea will be releasing a new album, Red Planet, on Oregon based label Strange Attractors Audio House in April. Mixing folk, some floating, spacey drone and minimalist percussion with Shanti Curran’s gorgeous vocals to mesmerising effect, the spine tingling results are stark, but beautifully compelling. Try Careless Love from the album, and also as a bonus treat yourself to Blue Crystal Fire, their … Continue reading New from Arborea
It’s been a full on 90 mph week with barely even time to call my own Ma, and when I did it sounded very much like my wedding dress might end up out for the St John’s Ambulance linen collection. A little harsh for the dress – and me. I was rather hoping that sprat daughter might wear it, should she decide to tie the … Continue reading Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (18th March)
The King James Facebook by Paleo from his 2010 album A View of the Sky was one of our favourite tunes of the year, appearing in our 2010 Best Of Top Ten posting. Now the wandering folk troubadour is back with another album Fruit Of The Spirit, which will see a release on Partisan Records in June. This time he has decided to try something which’d … Continue reading New Album from Paleo
James Leg (aka John Wesley Myers), growler, shouter, composer, and Fender Rhodes finger-fucker, of the Black Diamond Heavies, steps out with some friends for more songs of hedonistic excess, crazy-ass women and Southern salvation. On new solo album Solitary Pleasure he is joined by longtime friend Andy Jody on drums and if the slow burn of blistering taster track Drowning In Fire is anything to go … Continue reading New solo album from James Leg
Last month we posted Brother Gruesome’s excellent new track Tubes – the A side from new single For The Morphine Makes You Comfortable. Here is the video for the song, THEEND puppeteers (with the help of animator Shawn Downey) have beautifully adapted the shadow show they perform live with Brother Gruesome to tell the story of a dying loved one. The song deals with long declining … Continue reading Brother Gruesome Video
Virginia’s The Diamond Center take great joy in harnessing the wild beast of psych rock with some surf-ish reverb and a hint of spectral country noir and forcing them all together to submit for an epic joy ride of the senses. New single, Caraway, has a haunting, echoing melancholy that spreads over almost six and a half pulsing minutes and somehow manages to soothe and … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…The Diamond Center
Here’s the latest offering from Daddy Lion taken from his self-titled EP, together with an appropriately nostalgic feeling video. Falling to Pieces (Through With You) is a broodier, darker song with psychedelic swirls giving the song a sepia tinged edge. It’s a keeper. a Visit his Bandcamp page here. Download Daddy Lion – Falling To Pieces (Through With You) mp3 (from Daddy Lion EP) Continue reading More from Daddy Lion
Following on from their very well received EP Trust towards the end of 2010, Generationals will be releasing their new album Actor-Caster on 29th March. It is more indie rock of the very best kind, bursting with hooks and shimmering with pop goodness, but this time with a touch of melancholy on occasions too. For now, check out the galloping Ten-Twenty-Ten, the opening track from the record, … Continue reading New from Generationals
Last year How Snakes Eat by Mathew Sawyer & The Ghosts was one of our favourite albums – a quirkily brilliant expedition into idiosyncratic folk of the most original kind where the vision and inspiration seemed almost otherworldly. Back then we said, “Quivering, quavering vocals, violins, a throbbing cello, guitars that flit from the minimal to the staccato and all overlaid with some of the … Continue reading Mathew Sawyer & The Ghosts Get US Release
