Marc Carroll

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.

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

Dust Of Rumour

The Mirror (UK) 5 Stars

This excellent, Dublin-bred troubadour, now based in LA, has won plaudits from Bob Dylan and Brian Wilson since the release of his striking 2003 debut Ten Of Swords. Blending reverberating songs of the soul, hard haunted Celtic odysseys and his raw intimate vocals, Marc's third album shows the respect of legends is well deserved.

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

Dust Of Rumour

The Times (UK)

In a blind test, you’d swear the jingle-jangle of Love Will Rule Our Hearts — the opening song of Marc Carroll’s third solo album — was born in California. You’d be right about the song, though not about its Irish creator, now resident in LA. Carroll’s roots reveal themselves on the earthy acoustic balladeering of Against My Will. Pretty as it is, it’s only when he uncages his inner Byrd — most sublimely on You Just Might Be What I’ve Been Waiting For— that the goosebumps surge up your spine.