“Design In Quick Rotation” (2007)

“Wow, I just couldn’t stop listening to this great music. Excellent vibrant songs, with calming voice. “Fields” – deeply moving song.” – Hastik Blog

”...eleven diverse, smart and lovely songs … Mahler’s deep knowledge of a huge range of musical styles and his innate ability to fit pieces of them together so that, even in the most unlikely combinations they sound brilliant, makes Design In Quick Rotation an endlessly enjoyable listen. Folk and anti-folk dance together to smooth hip hop, while a rock band quietly practices next door … chilled out songs that have clear influences but stand out on their own as something different … They have a strange calming effect, massaging blissful pleasure straight into your ears. If you’re looking for something new, then you just found it. Do whatever it takes to get your hands on a copy of Design In Quick Rotation.” – Andy Malt – Subba-Cultcha

“This is a marvellous debut album and one of those subtle records that gets under the skin in the best possible sense. The songs are intense and literate without being self conscious or morbid … this a calming record to live with and love.” – 10 out of 10 stars – Martin Raybould – Whisperin & Hollerin

“It’s honest and touching, the simplicity of the music comes from hearing it as genuine as it can be, without sprinkling the myths of stardom all over the place. Mahler would probably sound good as good in Carnegie Hall as he would on the side of the corner store, there is no thin line between anything that he does (or chooses to do). It’s dusty, it has a few scars, but it’s there, take it or leave it. Mahler will become one of the most promising musicians of the early 21st century.” – John Book – Music For America and The Run-Off Groove

“Marco Mahler is a pleasant surprise who should be immediately plucked from the seemingly endless horde of stubbled and bearded folkies who keep threatening to hush the world. Last June, Mahler self-released the record Design in Quick Rotation, an effort so beautiful and simple that not much since David Thomas Broughton’s 2005 record can comparably stand up to it. There sounds to be little here but a voice, a guitar and a beat barely louder than a footstep, save for the plugged-in guitar on “Think Tank” or additional light percussion on “Study Airports,” which do nothing to speed things up further. The simplicity is divine, as anything additional would damage the soothing nature of the record” – choir croak out them goodies

”... he writes and plays very lovely lullabye-esque songs which at times flirt with the best aspects of indie pop. And don’t miss the lyrics, they don’t jump out as they are sung in his quiet sleepy-edged voice… but what they mean, only Marco knows.” and ”... very nice stuff, mellow acoustic guitar, I even find the instrumentals interesting which is a surprise as I usually fixate on the voice.” – Alan Williamson – SIXEYES Blog

“Indeed, the stark nature of this recording is its most arresting feature … Mahler’s approach doesn’t waver from the first note to the last. He travels through his songs, using each to change course ever so subtly. Not nearly so idiosyncratic as a Simon Joyner or Songs:Ohia or Will Oldham or whatnot, Mahler has nonetheless managed to notch his own first-rate entry into the minimalist singer-songwriter ledger. Fine work.” – Jon Worley – Aiding & Abetting

“Highly individual musical language as well as an innovative guitar style making the songs and music among the most appealing and interesting things I heard from a contemporary songwriters recently.” – Massimo Ferro – Radio Voce Spazio – Italy

“Private intimate songs that come with invisible headphones, made distinct by Mahler’s expert finger work … there is intimacy and gentleness here, but also a sturdy undertow that rescues the music from the negative space of haunting: these songs endure, they embrace the natural world” – Helvetica Bold

“Marco Mahler could very well be a wet dream for the people that pick the music on “Grey’s Anatomy”. It’s probably just a matter of time before one of his low-key ballads turns up on an episode where Izzy, George or whoever is having an angsty moment. Now, don’t let this reference to said TV-show put you off, because Marco Mahler is someone who’s music I highly recommend. In fact, I order you to give this guy a listen if you proclaim to be a fan of similar artists like Sufjan Stevens and José Gonsález. So give your eardrums a little break from the hard beats and sharp guitars, and enjoy Mahler’s mellow indie-pop instead.” – RockSellout.com

“A majestic disc of desolate instrumentals and personal folk songs with crisp instrumentation overlaying sparse melodic backdrops … “Hike the Lake” is an instrumental that builds from a single guitar, slowly filling in with keyboards and percussion. “Fields” is an elegant song with Mahler’s understated vocals that form the backdrop for precisely layered guitar lines. Give it a listen (or two).” – jefito blog

“As if by divine intervention, Marco Mahler’s self released debut album, Design In Quick Rotation, arrived on my doorstep yesterday, just as I was in need of a subtle and quiet, contemplative record to become absorbed in for the night. Mahler holds dual citizenship in the US and Switzerland, and it seems he’s picked up some of the finer points in musical tradition along the way. It makes for quite an impressive range of style and influence, but the album’s real charm is its acoustic intimacy. As the fire in the hearth burned, and the shadows of snow falling outside chased each other across my eyes, Mahler’s beautiful melodies were music to my tired and weary ears. It’s not a difficult concept to grasp, this simplicity and gentleness, but in our fast-paced world, it sometimes goes unnoticed. Thanks, Marco, for reminding me to take a break and enjoy something beautiful.” – Quick Before It Melts music blog

“These days a lot of music comes through my inbox but very little of it sticks out; this does.” – ipickmynose blog