Marc Carroll

Posted in Ten Of Swords - reviews on 20/10/2010

Ten Of Swords

Americana

This debut release from Ireland's Marc Carroll indicates an artist in love with music, and good music at that. His influences range from Dylan, Beach Boys and The Byrds to Buzzcocks and Velvet Underground and on this CD they are all in their wrestling for your attention. From the McGuinn inspired Rickenbacker jangle on the upbeat opener "Crashpad Number" through to a traditional rendition of the dark folk classic "Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down", Carroll delivers a wide range of musical goods with an obvious passion. There's a new wave feel and urgent buzzy guitars on songs like "Idiot World" (which once featured as backing music to Football Focus, apparently) and "Weird Dreams" whilst "Swan Song" and "You Saved My Life Again Last Night" are classic hum-along 60's soaked pop (think "She's Electric" by Oasis and you get the idea). As well as harmony laden breezy pop he also can handle subtle acoustic ballads such as the mystical "In Silence" and the delicate love song "Falling Into Nowhere". What really comes through on this record beyond Carroll's obvious talent is the fact he appears to having a ball. 'Ten Of Swords' is a celebration of simple, well-crafted popular music executed with ability and enthusiasm- the kind of thing Del Amitri used to do so well. It may not have complex depths or be particularly fashionable but Carroll obviously doesn't really care about that- he just wants to play music, entertain and have fun. This clearly comes across and a lot of it rubs off on the listener- R.B

Posted in Ten Of Swords - reviews on 20/10/2010

Ten Of Swords

Tangents

I'm also dreaming of an Indian Summer over here in the UK, not least because it would be just the right kind of climate to accompany the release of Marc Carroll's Ten Of Swords album. It's certainly been a fantastic soundtrack to my own high summer, with its ace power-folk-country-pop-rock ringing through my ears as I head up and out along country lanes, sensing guitars cascading from the skies. It's one of my criteria for judging the greatness of Pop you see: its ability to stick in my head and accompany bicycle rides. Ten Of Swords passes the test with flying colours. There are a whole host of memorable tunes: opening single 'Crashpad Number' with its ringing McGuinn esque guitars and its nod to 'Manic Monday' as the chorus takes off; Mrs Lullaby, who it seems 'turns tricks for a pound', and which ushers in ghostly memories of the Jam at their Pop best (although it might just be the way Carroll sings 'in a strange town'; 'Idiot World' coming on like Velvet Crush with a lost classic from the mighty In The Presence Of Greatness. It's not all rocking out though. Songs like the gorgeous gentle shuffle of 'Soft and Blind', the country picking 'Falling Into Nowhere' or the album closing 'Terror and Tired Eyes' are restrained moments of beauty, all the while filled with melodies you want to hum all day long. At times it all recalls the wonder of those early Uncle Tupelo records, notably Still Feel Gone, and like those alt-country groundbreakers, Carroll has the good taste to cover the traditional folk tune 'Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down'. I'd wager Carroll first heard the song via Uncle Tupelo rather than through Harry Smith's American Folk Anthology, but that's no crime of course. With Ten Of Swords Marc Carroll has made a marvellous fusion of folk, country, rock and pop, and it deserves to be huge. Let's just pray for some sunshine to go with it.

Posted in Ten Of Swords - reviews on 20/10/2010

Ten Of Swords

Net Rhtyms

The former frontman of much underrated Irish chiming pop rock outfit The Hormones, continues his love affair with the 12 string Rickenbacker on his debut album, along with Roger McGuinn influences that embrace the folk pyschedelia of The Byrds and the folkier tones of his later solo work. Not to mention The Buzzcocks touches of `Idiot World`. From the opening jangle of `Crashpad Number` to the haunting plangent closer `Terror And Tired Eyes (The Brilliance And Violence Of Vincent Van Gogh)`, it's a glorious blood firing piece of work, exploding with hooks and infectious melodies, his bruised weary vocal tones equally adept on songs and styles that range from the spare Guthrie-esque gospel folk trad number `Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down` and the cosmic psychedelia of `In Silence` (shades of The Stone Roses here) to an amped up tumbling Byrdmaniax era `Weird Dreams`, the unadorned folksy skipping of `You Saved My Life(Again Last Night)`, and the west coast meets Simon And Garfunkelisms of `Silent And Blind` and `Falling Into Nowhere`. According to the tarot, `Ten Of Swords` denotes ruin, failure and disaster. Not here it doesn't.

Posted in Ten Of Swords - reviews on 20/05/2011

Ten Of Swords

Teletext (8/10)

Marc Carroll - Ten Of Swords
There isn't, it would appear, an angle on Carroll. He's from Dublin, he sings and he plays all the instruments. That's it, press interest is thus minimal which is a shame, as this is the sort of unalloyed, unpretentious delight that makes you want to rush out into the street to grab strangers and yell what a gorgeous discovery you've made. A touch of Ben Kweller here, a dab of Teenage Fanclub there, but mostly the sense that Carroll would be evil if he kept such a joy to himself.

Posted in Dust Of Rumour - reviews on 20/10/2010

Dust Of Rumour

Uncut (4 stars)

Fine fourth album from Irish singer-songwriter. Uncut's intro to Carroll came when his cover of "Gates Of Eden" was personally approved by Dylan with a download on the great man's official website. For the follow up to 2005's splendid World On A Wire, the only discernible Dylan influence is the rugged voice. Musically, Carroll's Byrds-like guitar jangle and Beach Boys harmonies are heard most effectively on the soaring 'Now Or Never' and 'What's Left Of My Heart', delivered with a shiny pop brio reminiscent of Teenage Fanclub."

Posted in Dust Of Rumour - reviews on 20/10/2010

Dust Of Rumour

Mojo (4 Stars)

A third album to admire from the talented Dubliner.

Marc Carroll is something special. Mojo has rightly hailed the Irish singer-songwriter's previous albums and Dust Of Rumour confirms that he's a performer in for the long term - one capable of consistently piecing together songs that ease into the memory. Here, the multi tracked harmonies comes as shimmering as ever, delivered in a manner that turned Brian wilson into an instant fan, immediately inviting Carroll to his birthday party in order that he could personally deliver his appreciation. But the vocals are only part of the deal. They come wrapped in powerpop guitar sounds redolent of Big Star or the Rasberries. Then, just as you think you have the music sussed, Carroll surprises with a fragile, string draped wonder like Going Home, closing an engaging record deserving of a wider audience than Carroll has yet to manage to attract.