DAN CROLL

Sweet Disarray

2014-04-12

Dan Croll is a British singer-songwriter from Staffordshire, England. At 18, Croll moved to Liverpool to attend Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, where he won the national Songwriter of the Year award from the Musicians Benevolent Fund. After releasing his first three singles, Croll supported Bastille on their UK tour in October 2013 and Imagine Dragons on their European Leg in November 2013. He also supported London Grammar in February 2014. The band behind the record is made up of Dan Croll (vocals, guitar), John Stark (bass, vocals), Jacob Berry (keys, vocals), Jethro Fox (guitar, vocals), and David Kelly (drums). Their debut album, Sweet Disarray, was released on March 10, 2014. The album opens with Croll's first single, "From Nowhere," about the simple power of a stare. "Compliment Your Soul" changes up the sound of the album, including some horns and a simpler guitar. One of the most interesting uses of electronica sounds in the album is on "Can You Hear Me," which contains some soul elements. There is also an overpowering ambient noise that dominates the levels at the end of the track. The album's title track, "Sweet Disarray," features Croll's sorrowing vocals over a simple electric guitar line, building to include gorgeous vocal and instrumental harmonies.

- Richard Martin

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 05/2008

    David Ford
    Songs For The Road

  • reviewed 09/2008

    THE BROKEN WEST
    Now or Heaven

  • reviewed 01/2010

    THE WATSON TWINS
    TALKING TO YOU, TALKING TO ME

  • reviewed 02/2011

    THE APPLES IN STEREO
    Travelers in Space and Time

  • reviewed 06/2008

    COLDPLAY
    Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends

  • reviewed 12/2005

    Ashton Allen
    Dewdrops

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.