Press for Love & War
"Even if the name isn't instantly recognizable, fans of Eric Bachmann have probably witnessed Barton Carroll's contributions to Bachmann's Crooked Fingers on stand-up bass, lap-steel guitar, and periodic backing vocals. The two forged a friendship over a mutual love of Bruce Springsteen while Carroll was working as Archers of Loaf's merchandise manager and have been collaborating whenever possible ever since then. Carroll is long overdue for recognition of his own talents as a singer and a songwriter. He's hyperintelligent and hyperliterate, but his hushed and naked delivery of dour, country-tinged yarns is infinitely accessible and down to earth. Fans of Cormac McCarthy, take note."
~The Stranger-Seattle, WA.
"....it is clear that there is something undeniably honest about Carroll's voice."
~thephiller.com
"...a true brooding genius who sounds like his recordings were smuggled out of a mental ward."
~Black and White, Birmingham, AL
"The music of Barton Carroll creeps me out."
~The Stranger, Seattle, WA Jan 07
"Carroll travels the solo road here sounding like a long lost sibling of Richard Thompson...."
~aquariumdrunkard.com
"I can honestly say I wasn't ready to think about the questions Carroll poses, and I certainly wasn't ready for this fantastic record."
~herohill.com
"Barton Carroll is one of the most talented folk artists I've heard in sometime, so I recommend Love and War to it's fullest extent."
~obscuresound.com
"Carroll is a daring writer."
~Aiding and Abetting.com
"....when it comes to storytelling folk music, Carroll is in his element, and is frequently effective and affecting."
~chromewaves.net
"Powerful, affecting, difficult, intelligent songs."
~leicesterbangs.co.uk
"...a haunting, seemingly ancient voice pitched somewhere between Will Oldham and John Doe."
~allmusic