Here's something to help get you in the mood for next Tuesday. It comes from Kayln Rock's rather lovely album Passenger which is full of low-key, restrained, but ultimately affecting and powerful songs - none more so than the heartbreaking honesty of Valentine . Order the album here . Download Kayln Rock - Valentine mp3 (from Passenger) Follow @madmackerel
Since the indefinite hiatus / demise of Wolf Parade , Spencer Krug has been concentrating on new project Moonface . Last year saw the release of Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I'd Hoped and he has now announced a follow up that has been recorded with Finnish band Siinai called With Siinai: Heartbreaking Bravery. This is the first taste from the album and it is a stormer - all buzzing guitars, massive keyboards and nailgun percussion. And great lyrics! "Teary eyes and bloody lips [...]
Bang on the money this week: gin in hand, more snow outside, Andy Williams is playing… You know that feeling (maybe?) that you just want something to dance to that your Dad used to play on vinyl when you were small… I still have the moves, Pops: Can't Take My Eyes Off You , followed by a bit of Moon River . Anyway, enough of that. You can just hear that needle ripping across the record… focus, focus. This week I'm enjoying Cate Le Bon's Puts Me [...]
We happened upon this bit of news via the consistently excellent Folk Hive blog and knew it was worth a re-post, concerning as it does The Shakey Graves . They released an excellent album of spooky folk last year with Roll The Bones (the brilliant title track from said album being a song that made it on to many MM playlists) and now they have followed it up with a new EP titled The State Of Texas Vs. Alejandro Rose-Garcia . In case you didn't know, Shakey Graves is the work [...]
Dig Your Grave is the title of a new 73 EP from The Pharmacy which is as good an example of indie-pop-garage bliss as you'll find. We included the title track in our January Best of the Month mix. Here is the equally good video for it - a super 8 mess of violence, fire and (what else) graveyards. a Buy it here . Or limited edition colour vinyl from Kind Turkey Records here . Download via iTunes [...]
In late 2008, with no money to her name, Jesse Thomas headed for Los Angeles. Alone. After a few open mic nights in the Valley and some raw demo recordings, she caught the attention of producer Jim Roach at Red Parade Music Group . Jim found something special in Jesse that countless others would soon come to recognize: a hilarious yet poignant personality shining through that smoky, battle scarred voice. She released an EP Hazel back in 2010, which met with much acclaim, and now makes a welcome return with her [...]
For some inexplicable reason it has taken us far too long to put up a post about Buxton , especially considering what a delightful album they released at the end of January in the shape of Nothing Here Seems Strange. Hailing from Houston Texas (incidentally the first place I ever visited in the States, and where hats were mighty impressive accessories for most folk in the airport), they describe their music as a study in contrasts: rock and folk, subtle yet eccentric, lush harmonies over prickly guitar. We couldn't have put it better [...]
Defining and describing the sound of Orpheum Bell is a tricky task. There is some Eastern European folk in there for sure, but equally they have a classic Country thing going on too. Country & Eastern? Gypsy Americana perhaps? Whatever, these are mere labels. What matters is the music and on new album The Old Sisters' Home , their particular blend is a heady, intoxicating brew with vocals hewn from the Tom Waits stable and backed by tunes that sound as if they belong in smoky back-rooms and dusty, darkened theatres. Taster track [...]
You know the drill by now. The latest free monthly Insound digital mix can be grabbed just by clicking here . Featuring another stellar lineup including Pontiak, Of Montreal, La Sera, Nite Jewel, Porcelain Raft and Bowerbirds amongst others, here are a couple of our own favourites from the mix: firstly another track from Sharon Van Etten's wonderful new album and some icy dance-goth from Black Marble . Download Sharon Van Etten - Leonard mp3 (from Insound February Mixtape 2/7/12) Download Black Marble [...]
If forthcoming debut album No Expiration Date is anything to go by, The Forty Nineteens are up for a good time. A hellishly good time. The record is one of unashamed raucous enjoyment, of high energy, old fashioned motor city rock 'n' roll and nothing demonstrates it better than our taster track Turn It Around . Take influences such as The Ramones, Elvis Costello, The Stooges, Steve Wynn, The Clash, Tom Petty, Plimsouls, Psychedelic Furs, Guided By Voices, Flesh for Lulu, Johnny Rivers, and Beat Farmers , put them all [...]
We have been very much looking forward to the new Tom Williams & The Boat album following their stunning debut, Too Slow which was near the very top of our End of Year Best Of list . Teenage Blood will see a release this spring on Moshi Moshi , and here is the video for the excellent new single My Bones . a You can also download the single completely [...]
We've found ourselves humming along to the new Deaf Club single on more than one occasion recently. It is a double-A-side affair featuring the tracks Sunday and Mirrors , and will be released via the band's own White On White label on 20th February. This is the 'a' side with its gothic overtones, driven along on percussion that sounds like it came straight out of Bradford in 1983 - and for those in the know that is no bad thing at all. Singer Polly Mackey's careful vocal phrasing fits the chiming guitar that builds [...]
The Muse is the title of the free sampler from American Songwriter and the February mix is a stormer featuring amongst others Sharon Van Etten, Lambchop, Hacienda, Ani DiFranco and The Wrinkle Neck Mules . Here are a couple of our own favourites from it, the wonderful Dr. Dog with an up-tempo taste of new album Be The Void in the shape of the brilliant That Old Black Hole and taken from Kathleen Edwards excellent Voyageur album we have Change The Sheets [...]
Off-kilter, ramshackle punk rockers Estrogen Highs will release new album Irrelevant Future on April 10th via Trouble In Mind . The first track to see the light of day is the unashamedly catchy I Wanna Be Tall , an economic, no-frills slice of melodic pop-punk that will stick in your head like the best kind of proverbial ear worm.. Download it below. a Follow @madmackerel
Here are three cracking reasons to turn the volume all the way up to 11 on your stereo and blast these into your neighbourhood. First up is The Men with the title track to their forthcoming album Open Your Heart - this has more than an echo of the Buzzcocks classic Ever Fallen In Love as they submerge an almost-pop riff beneath dissonant, strident guitar hooks and breakdowns. a [...]
Nathan Bell's album Black Crow Blue is one of those records that has an almost cinematic, widescreen feel whilst retaining a lovely, honest intimacy through its literate, considered lyrics and gently strummed acoustics. There are stories, laments and learning here - almost in equal measure - in songs to be listened to, absorbed and understood. For to do so will surely make you a smarter and wiser person. Black Crow Blue has been out since the summer. Buy the album from CD baby here . Download Nathan [...]
Submerged in snot and snow, I have emerged this chilly Sunday evening just to pop my head above the parapet and write a paltry Sunday offering (sorry MM, late again!) It did also mean that I was absent from the Mackerel bobsleigh this lunchtime and only put in a below par and croaky performance at Gooner Ian's birthday yesterday. (Don't we all love to be princess for our special day? I think he wore his tiara rather well). This evening's offering comes from the indefatigable and supremely talented Mark Lanegan . If this man was [...]
Submerged in snot and snow, I have emerged this chilly Sunday evening just to pop my head above the parapet and write a paltry Sunday offering (sorry MM, late again!) It did also mean that I was absent from the Mackerel bobsleigh this lunchtime and only put in a below par and croaky performance at Gooner Ian's birthday yesterday. (Don't we all love to be princess for our special day? I think he wore his tiara rather well). This evening's offering comes from the indefatigable and supremely talented Mark Lanegan . If this man was [...]
Jenny Gillespie's new EP Belita , the first release on her own Narooma Records, is an intoxicating blend of folk, indie pop and post-rock. Released on April 10 it features Sam Amidon and Jim White (of PJ Harvey and Cat Power ). Download Jenny Gillespie - Creature Of Our Make mp3 (from Belita EP) Follow @madmackerel
Jenny Gillespie's new EP Belita , the first release on her own Narooma Records, is an intoxicating blend of folk, indie pop and post-rock. Released on April 10 it features Sam Amidon and Jim White (of PJ Harvey and Cat Power ). Download Jenny Gillespie - Creature Of Our Make mp3 (from Belita EP) Follow @madmackerel
Mad Mackerel's Blog
The Shins: “September” (b-side of “Simple Song” 7”)
St. Vincent - 'Cheerleader'
Jay-Z & Kanye West - Ni**as In Paris (Explicit)
OK Go - Needing/Getting - Official Video
M.I.A. - Bad Girls (Official Video)
Download: James Blake Live Album (Unofficial)
My Funny Valentines
Lana Del Rey - Without You (Kill Paris Remix) [Dubstep]
The Kills on Letterman (Video)
