More from the Futurebirds

You’ll be pleased we’ve fixed our downloading issues when you get to hear this cracker from The Futurebirds. As with the previously posted Johnny Utah, it is from the forthcoming album Hampton’s Lullaby, but this time we get glorious, up-tempo alt-country gem Battle For Rome. It doffs its cap to good ol’ boy Southern Rock, and has a vocal that calls to mind vintage Neil Young … Continue reading More from the Futurebirds

Downloading issues fixed I think

Our downloading issues are fixed! Josh and a few other readers of MM had pointed out some issues with actually downloading the mp3s from the blog. After much investigation and some help from Uncle Mike, we think the problem is solved. Apparently the automatic advertising that WordPress adds to posts can mess up the link access and stop them being found properly. The answer? You … Continue reading Downloading issues fixed I think

New track from The Whigs

We’re liking this, the latest track to be given away by The Whigs from their album In The Dark. Dying is a visceral, slow burn of a track, gradually building into an explosive crescendo of guitars, drums and feedback. Pulsating is probably the best word for it. Visit their MySpace here. Buy In The Dark from Amazon here. Download The Whigs – Dying mp3 (from … Continue reading New track from The Whigs

Insound’s Free June Mixtape

Insound.com have made their free June mixtape available here. As always, it will only be up for around a week (so be quick), and as always it is packed full of excellent tracks, which can all be yours in return for an e-mail address. Highlights among them this month being MM faves Blitzen Trapper, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Suckers, Teenage Fanclub, and these two gems we’ve picked … Continue reading Insound’s Free June Mixtape

Mad Mackerel Recommends…Catherine A.D.

To date, the sole commercially available release by striking new singer-songwriter Catherine A.D. is the Carry Your Heart EP, which saw the NME style her as ’kooky and spooky and very good’. The demonstration of that talent is perfectly exhibited on the forthcoming collection that comprises her EP Skeleton Songs. The songs are pared down to the bare bones, recorded in a bedroom atmosphere that leaves all … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Catherine A.D.

New Album from Common Prayer

Common Prayer’s debut album, There Is A Mountain, was officially released yesterday through most digital retailers. The band is the new project from Jason Russo of Hopewell/Mercury Rev acclaim. The album is one of jangly off-kilter pop songs, often somber in theme, and concerned with the lives of the heartbroken, reckless, romantic and mentally ill from a reflective and victorious post-everything perspective. To begin with, … Continue reading New Album from Common Prayer

MM’s Best Of The Month: May

Here is our usual end of the month round up of the very best tracks posted on Mad Mackerel, with a couple of new ones too. A perfect mixtape for May. Wilderness of Manitoba – Hermit mp3 Intimate and gorgeous, with haunting guitar lines and beautiful harmonies. Buffalo Moon – Beach Boy mp3 Summery pop, beach references, breezy beats and sweet lounge vocals. Sun Kil … Continue reading MM’s Best Of The Month: May

New from Eddy Current Suppression Ring

You know what you’re going to get with Australian four-piece Eddy Current Suppression Ring. You’re going to get high octane, garage rock and proto-punk, drawing influences from The Troggs through to Wire and The Fall. There are no pretensions, no apologies, no surprises, no airs and graces and frankly they are all the better for it. The last album Rush To Relax was energetic, good humoured … Continue reading New from Eddy Current Suppression Ring