Efren Release Third Track From Rise On Up And Melt

We’ve already given you two excellent tracks from psych-folkies Efren’s new album, Rise On Up And Melt. Now we have a third, and this time it is the seven minute mini-epic of Mr Greene. Efren is led by Scott Low who fell into a dark marital separation as the record was being recorded.  A new outlook on the album came about. Though not the original … Continue reading Efren Release Third Track From Rise On Up And Melt

New Album From Amen Dunes

We were big fans of Amen Dunes sparse and thrillingly malevolent Murder Dull Mind EP, which came out last year and was a follow up to his debut album DIA. His second album will be released in August and is titled Through Donkey Jaw via Sacred Bones (rapidly becoming our favourite label of the moment). This is a first taste with track Lower Mind and it is, to our … Continue reading New Album From Amen Dunes

Giant Drag Are Back

Giant Drag’s album Hearts And Unicorns came out in 2005 and was packed full of cracking tunes that spanned influences from Mazzy Star to MBV and from grunge to a kind of warped suburban Americana. It was a standout from the year, but no one  expected to wait six years for a follow-up. In fact, until today, I’d kind of assumed they had called it a … Continue reading Giant Drag Are Back

New Milk Maid Single

With his band Nine Black Alps on indefinite hiatus, bassist Martin Cohen found he had time on his hands, recording at home Milk Maid’s debut album Yucca. The result is an album that might have come out on Creation Records in their 80’s heyday, recalling indie stalwarts like Comet Gain and marrying timeless pop hooks to the raw spontaneity of home recording, and sweet, sun-drenched … Continue reading New Milk Maid Single

Mad Mackerel Recommends…Mikal Cronin

Stepping away from the rhythm section of Orange County surf-punk bashers The Moonhearts, Mikal Cronin has emerged with a fully realized, cohesive and beautiful debut self-titled LP, out September 20, via Chicago’s Trouble In Mind. Cronin blends sweet melodies and chords with chunky, psychedelic guitar freak-outs so if you’ve ever wondered what the Beach Boys would sound like if they became pals with the Ramones…this is a … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Mikal Cronin

Truck Festival – In Pictures

The sun shone, the bands played, and, as ever, a good time was had by all. Roll on Truck Festival 2012. Download Richmond Fontaine – The Boyfriends mp3 (from We Used To Think The Freeway Sounded Like A River) Download Cashier No. 9 – Lost At Sea mp3 (from To The Death Of Fun) Download Pete & The Pirates – Mr Understanding mp3 (from Little Death) Download … Continue reading Truck Festival – In Pictures

More From Dave Cloud & The Gospel of Power

Fire Records released Practice In The Milky Way from Dave Cloud and the Gospel of Power last week. It is one of the more surreal and unhinged releases you’re likely to come across and Boogaloo is the second track to whet your appetite. Download Dave Cloud & The Gospel Of Power – Boogaloo mp3 (from Practice In The Milky Way) Download Dave Cloud & The … Continue reading More From Dave Cloud & The Gospel of Power

New from Little Fish

Oxford’s own boozy blues-rockin’ trio Little Fish have been in touch to update us about their plans for second album. As Ben told us, “Nothing much changes – we’re still the “next big thing”, but we’ve given up on the major label approach and are excited to be putting out our next record fully DIY, indie, locally-sourced and self-promoted. We’re recording it with Gaz Coombes … Continue reading New from Little Fish

Truck Festival – Free Download Mix

Tomorrow sees the start of the marvellous Truck Festival near Oxford. We went last year and had a brilliant time and are thoroughly looking forward to this year’s event where the line-up includes Gruff Rhys, Graham Coxon, Saint Etienne, John Grant, The Young Knives, Edwyn Collins, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, The Duke & The King, Tunng, Justin Townes Earle, Alessi’s Ark, Sea Of Bees, Pete & … Continue reading Truck Festival – Free Download Mix

More From The Buffalo Killers

We have already posted about the Buffalo Killers and their brilliant blend of retro blues swagger and fuzzed up psychedelia that made up recent album 3. Now they’ve offered up a previously unreleased outtake from the album sessions – Love Is Gold is another tasty slab of quivering riffed up rock’n’roll. You can buy the album, in various vinyl colours, by clicking here. Download The … Continue reading More From The Buffalo Killers