aaamusic | On 05, Nov 2011

Neal Casal is a New Jersey singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and photographer who’s had a successful solo career and is well known as playing guitar for Ryan Adams and The Cardinals.

 

16 years ago he released his acclaimed first solo album Fade Away Diamond Time. Casal says: “Some people think my first record was the best and that it’s all been downhill from there, while others feel that my last was the pinnacle.”

 

Sweeten The Distance is a relaxed alternative country album where organs, slide guitars, drums and harmonies bring atmosphere to 11 songs about the loves and losses of the past. It’s his tenth solo recording, released on 7^th November through Fargo Records.

 

Need Shelter is a tale about regret: “I was once a young girl in my prime. Long hair running down my neck, fingers so long and fine. Sometimes I just can’t forget myself and all those things.”. There’s a likeable charisma to the title track Sweeten The Distance.

 

These are passionate, beautiful and upbeat songs sung with enthusiasm and charm. They’re natural and intimate, with a great strength and simplicity.

 

Tracks: 01 Sweeten the Distance 02 Bird With No Name 03 Need Shelter 04 Let It All Begin 05 White Fence Round House 06 So Many Enemies 07 Feathers for Bakersfield 08 Time and Trouble 09 How Quiet It Got 10 The Gyrls of Wynter 11 Angel and You´re Mine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anthony Weightman