[2][3] In 1988, Carroll signed to Factory Records as a solo artist and began working on her debut album, England Made Me, which was named after the 1935 novel by Graham Greene.

"[4] The album's title track was inspired by Carroll's disillusionment with England, including Thatcherism as well as everyday problems such as the crowded conditions and regular cancellation of trains on the London Underground.

[6] On its release, Dele Fadele of New Musical Express praised England Made Me as "both a coffee-table artefact – all smooth, lush aural landscapes – and a collection of observations, heartfelt pleas and abstracts from someone rather disillusioned with her homeland".

Cleverly, Cath nicks from her various adopted cultures (especially South American) precisely what suits her guarded, heat-guided words of regret and curiosity.

"[11] Johnny Black of Hi-Fi News & Record Review noted the album's "terrifyingly sinister tales sung in deadpan tones" and "musical atmospheres which are not only mesmerically beautiful but also startlingly original".

"[10] In a retrospective review, J. Edward Keyes of AllMusic noted the album is "bloated with unremarkable songs" but felt it was still "a consistently engaging affair, a cunning work of slinky, sinister pop and ghostly electronics".