Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (14th December)

Christmas is coming and the cat is getting fatter. Once again, copious amounts of music listened to, more Christmas cooking, and more trees knitted. On the tree front, I nearly have the requisite four for the sprats plus goddaughter. They will treasure my hand-made gifts, goddamit. By next Christmas, there will be a forest – but only for the lucky ones. In my rather low … Continue reading Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (14th December)

Daytrotter Delights

Daytrotter have posted up some absolutely top-notch sessions recently – although to be fair this is what they generally do pretty much 100% of the time – however, the last few days have seen some real gems. Our friends at Rollo & Grady have already beaten us to the post with their Deer Tick session post, but it is so good we thought we’d cover … Continue reading Daytrotter Delights

Free Halloween Mix 2012

Following on from our mixes from 2010 and 2011, here is another set of freakishly macabre tunes for you to download and scare off the trick or treaters… Download Little Wings – Halloween 2020 mp3 (from PIAPTK Sampler Fall 2011) Download Deer Tick – The Ghost mp3 (from Daytrotter Session) Download Royal Trux – The Spectre mp3 (from Cats And Dogs) Download The Low Anthem – … Continue reading Free Halloween Mix 2012

Saturday Means Eight of the Best

Here is our semi-regular round-up of what’s new (and good) from our in-box, our favourite blogs, and the realms of the internet. We have some dusty, backwoods Americana from The Great American Canyon Band and Father John Misty and some rollicking country rock’n’roll from Deer Tick’s new Tim EP. We have high octane garage from the Fresh & Onlys with a non-album cut that appears … Continue reading Saturday Means Eight of the Best

Deer Tick’s Divine Providence Gets UK Release

One of our very favourite UK labels, Loose Music is releasing Deer Tick’s outstanding fourth album Divine Providence in the UK. If you read our Albums of the Year post at the end of 2011, you’ll know just how much we loved this rollicking, swaggering, raw, boozy record. It is out in the UK today. Buy it together with the bonus five track Tim EP from … Continue reading Deer Tick’s Divine Providence Gets UK Release

Mad Mackerel’s Albums Of The Year: Part 3 (10 – 1)

And so here we have our top ten albums of the year. To be honest the order is fairly arbitrary – on another day it could be a completely different as really these ten records have so little between them in turns of the pleasure and enjoyment they gave us. If you’ve not acquainted yourselves with any of these then we’re pretty sure you won’t … Continue reading Mad Mackerel’s Albums Of The Year: Part 3 (10 – 1)

MM’s 2011 Top Ten Series: No 5 Barry-Sean

Next to share their favourites of the year is part man part canine Barry-Sean… What a fantastic year for music this has been for me. I don’t just mean for music that has been produced this year but more about the music that I’ve discovered from previous years (or, more accurately in most cases, music that has been discovered for me). And, because I’ve spent … Continue reading MM’s 2011 Top Ten Series: No 5 Barry-Sean

MM’s 2011 Top Ten Series: No 3 Starbar & JaMS

Our third top ten contributions come from Starbar and JaMS who job share in the office. This is JaMS first entry in to the guest top ten spots, but first up is Starbie… 10. Laura Marling – I Was Just A Card 9. Slow Club – If we’re Still Alive a 8. The Decemberists – This Is Why we Fight 7. Lana Del Ray – … Continue reading MM’s 2011 Top Ten Series: No 3 Starbar & JaMS

MM’s 2011 Top Ten Series: No 2 Banner

For the second of our ‘guest’ top ten posts we are pleased to welcome the finger-choppin’ Banner to the roster with his first contribution to the end of year best of lists. “It’s been a great year musically and especially as this year I became a dad. I’d like to thank Doctor Roddy and Chris T Popper for their steady supply of CDs this year … Continue reading MM’s 2011 Top Ten Series: No 2 Banner

Video Round Up

Here are a few more videos that we’ve enjoyed recently. First up is a welcome return for Goldheart Assembly and a song called Linnaeus that comes from their second album due out in spring next year. Also keeping it pretty mellow is Kathleen Edwards with the video for her forthcoming single, Change The Sheets. a The Inspired And The Sleep offer up some sunburnt lo-fi … Continue reading Video Round Up