We have long been fans of We Are Country Mice, and they have now shortened their name to simply Country Mice and will release their debut album Twister via Wao Wao Records on 7th June. Coming across like a mix between Wilco and The Pixies they are equally at home with the country rock of the former and the blistering sonic experiments of the latter combining both to … Continue reading New From Country Mice
Another month, another mix. A collection of twenty or so of the best tunes we posted in April plus a couple of tasty new ones. Download, hit play, relax. Download Ha Ha Tonka – Usual Suspects mp3 (from Death Of A Decade) Soulful, catchy, country rock. Download Sweet Lights – The Shortest Man On Earth mp3 (from Digital Single) Beautifully judged excursion into the world of classic sunshine and … Continue reading Mad Mackerel’s Best Of The Month: April 2011
The first time we came across Beth Jeans Houghton she was supporting Phosphorescent at a gig in London. She was disarmingly quirky, funny, and a little self conscious, but underneath the oddball behaviour it was obvious that there was real songwriting talent and a unique voice at work. After releasing just one EP (Hot Toast) and one single (Golden/Night Swimmer), Houghton attracted major mainstream media … Continue reading Beth Jeans Houghton signs with Mute Records
Ontario’s Dark Mean have built up quite a buzz and a following since 2007 when they started recording their debut album. During this period band members Mark Dean, Billy Holmes, and Sandy Johnston released two “work in progress” EPs without expectation. However, Frankencottage and Music Box ended up being downloaded in more than 100 countries and expectations certainly were set by their brilliant blend of folk and alt-country. … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends…Dark Mean
Enjoying another slice of dark claustrophobic psych rock with the Ganglians new single, Jungle. It comes from their forthcoming double album Still Living. Great album cover! Download The Ganglians – Jungle mp3 (from Still Living) Continue reading New from the Ganglians
Here are four corking singles for you to listen to and, should you be so inclined, subsequently purchase. First up are Scumbag Philosopher and their second single, God Is Dead So I Listen To Radiohead. It is typically English in it’s odd spoken word style, wry black humour and deadpan observations of the ludicrousness of life. Out on May 23rd, visit their website here for … Continue reading Try Before You Buy…
Well I’m sure there will be enough column inches devoted to the (mainly) collective swelling of the nation’s breast in tribute to today’s royal nuptials. Funny old thing all this patriotic malarkey – not really my bag – but cheers anyway. Personally, I’m far more excited that in two days time it will be May – and that means The Cave Singers! – and now, … Continue reading Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (29th April)
It is fair to say that Hurray For The Riff Raff are a very close second to The Cave Singers in Mrs Mackerel’s must see bands for 2011. This came after we fell in love with the band’s self-titled UK debut of haunting and melancholy Americana that was released in late March on Loose Music. So join Mrs M in London or check out the … Continue reading Hurray For The Riff Raff – UK Tour
Formed in 2009, The Pear Traps are a 5 piece band from Chicago who mix lo-fi garage rock and alt-country, and do it well. Come Home is from their new six track self-titled EP. The band describe it as “a rolling tune flush with alt-country drive, a rhythmic back-beat and echoing vocals” and having played it a few times, it seems a pretty fair description. … Continue reading Introducing…The Pear Traps
We’ve kind of missed the boat so far with Okkervil River – for whatever reason we’ve just not fallen for their slightly quirky and densely literate charms. Hopefully that may change with their latest album I Am Very Far, which seems to be picking up uniformly good reviews. First single Wake And Be Fine is typically sinewy in composition but at its heart lays something … Continue reading New from Okkervil River
