LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

On January 31st, 2005, Irish singer Marc Carroll will be releasing his second solo album, 'World On A Wire', on the Evangeline Recorded Works label. A prodigiously talented singer songwriter and accomplished multi-instrumentalist, this latest work is his most personal and committed yet, and a compelling step away from the crafted, intelligent pop for which he's best known. 'World On A Wire' is much darker in tone, on first listen it is stark and challenging but, scratch beneath surface, and Marc Carroll's sense of harmony and melody still provide underlying rich textures. His career has now moved into a second decade. It's had its twists and turns, but he's always remained true to his vision. It was the master tunesmith and craftsman in him that shone so brightly on his debut album, 'Ten of Swords' that was released in September 2002. A record with a prevalent mood of inspired but jagged pop, which didn't go unnoticed by the critics... * "One of the finest debuts of recent times" (Uncut) * "A classic pop obsessive with a knack for crispy punky arrangements" (Daily Telegraph) * "He sounds like a jacked-up Wilco" (Village Voice) * "An engaging debut with a soulful of The Byrds and Buzzcocks" (Mojo) The following year Evangeline mopped up an album's worth of lost songs and rarities on 'All Wrongs Reversed', including Marc's much loved Brian Wilson tribute, 'Mr Wilson'. It also featured the stirring version of Bob Dylan's 'Gates Of Eden', that can be heard on DylanÕs official website. Perhaps the pointer to his current work came with the album's closer, an acknowledgement of a strong affinity with folk music, a chilling rendition of Patrick Kavanagh's 'On Raglan Road'. He has cited influences ranging from Hank Williams and The Clash, to Bob Dylan and The Sex Pistols. Has shared a stage with Bob Mould of the seminal US outfit Husker Du, and the legendary folk songwriter, Eric Bogle. Such diversity is reflected incisively in his own work and with his new album he's dug deep and painted his very own masterpiece. 'World On A Wire' is driven by reflective, and often introspective musings. It shows a singular talent at work matching beauty and despair across all eleven songs. Powerful, heartfelt vocal deliveries, superlative string arrangements and reverberating guitars compliment his lyrical nous to penetrating effect. There is plenty of light and shade here. It's impressive stuff and, if not always for the faint hearted, then that's life and all the more rewarding for it. More worldly than his previous work, more considered and more real, 'World On A Wire' is a work of great scrutiny, uncompromising power and emotion.
Track Listing 1.A Way Back Out of Here 2.Love Over Gold 3.No Time At All 4.Together We’re Strong 5.It Isn’t Always Easy 6.And You Are? 7.Talk Again#God’s Wit 8.Press On 9.In Agreement With Reality 10.Till These Bars Break