Mad Mackerel’s Favourite Albums Of 2012 Part 2: 15 – 1

The final post about our favourites of the year, here are numbers fifteen down to top spot of the albums we have most enjoyed in 2012. Don’t forget to check back for our 100 Favourite Tunes and the MM contributor’s best of lists too. 15 Shearwater – Animal Joy a 14 Patterson Hood – Heat Lightning Rumbles In The Distance a 13 Sharon Van Etten … Continue reading Mad Mackerel’s Favourite Albums Of 2012 Part 2: 15 – 1

2012 MAD MACKEREL’S 100 FAVOURITE SONGS PART 5: 20 – 1

And so the moment to reveal Mad Mackerel’s final favourites of 2012. Here are numbers 20 down to top spot. Dig in and enjoy. 20 OF MONSTERS AND MEN – LITTLE TALKS Duelling male / female voices from Iceland’s finest and bitter sweet lyrics (only with igloos and saunas instead of pubs and football). They also shout “Hey!” a lot which can’t be a bad thing. … Continue reading 2012 MAD MACKEREL’S 100 FAVOURITE SONGS PART 5: 20 – 1

Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (9th November)

Just call me the Hoarse Whisperer. This week a suitably seasonal cold virus left me a muted, aching snot monster, forced to communicate via hand and arm signals that cast me somewhere between a (somewhat troubled) cricket umpire and a football referee. It has also rendered me powerless to children and animals, not necessarily in that order. HP suggested helpfully that I might like to … Continue reading Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (9th November)

New Single From Willy Mason

Ever since we first heard the brilliant Restless Fugitive, we have been waiting impatiently for more news of Willy Mason’s new album. Turns out it will be called Carry On, and will be released on the 3rd December. In stark contrast to the six minute dusty, world-weary hymn to moving on that was Restless Fugitive, the first proper single from it will be the altogether pithier, … Continue reading New Single From Willy Mason

Live Review: Wilderness Festival (Day 1)

We are lucky to live on the edge of the Cotswolds and on the fringes of the beautiful Cornbury Park Estate. Previously it was home to the Cornbury Festival, which was unfortunate in, for a few years, consistently having the worst musical line-up you could contrive to put together. It was a source of constant disappointment to us. However, last year the Cornbury Festival thankfully … Continue reading Live Review: Wilderness Festival (Day 1)

Mad Mackerel’s Best of the Year (so far)

So then, half way through the year already. Time to take stock and see what the first six months have delivered up in terms of new tunes and bands. We asked some of the regular MM contributors to pick three songs that have particularly struck a chord (sorry) with them in the first part of 2012. Kyle Adem – Brother Follow  Unlike Brains by Lower Dens … Continue reading Mad Mackerel’s Best of the Year (so far)

Stream These…

Following on from our Friday mix yesterday, here are a few tunes to stream, listen to and investigate further should you feel the need. We think you probably will. First up is the new single, 17, from Young & Lost Club’s indie alt-rockers Being There. a Oxford’s latest buzzworthy band are The Black Hats – lots of energy, a definite pop edge, big chorus hooks, and … Continue reading Stream These…