Reviews
Drew Waters - Founder of the San Francisco Bass Weekend
when i first heard gilbert neal's drink the beast with me, i knew
within a couple of bars i wouldn't have to worry about musicianship and
song writing prowess on this album, i could just get to the music. the
production is smooth, nicely balanced and punchy- all the adjectives i
like in a mix. the album has a similar vibe to 70's vinyl- i have no
idea how the tracking engineer and producers lewis and neal achieved
that. both the melodies and harmonic progressions were infectious, i
found myself wanted to rewind and listen to a chorus again, listen to
the solo progression.
neal makes some bold artistic decisions that are well-executed and
convincing. like all contemporary music that makes a meaningful
statement, it is impossible not to hear and be influenced by past
classic musicians and song writers. there are many clear references to
iconic artists in neal's song writing and performance; but more
importantly, neal has assimilated the most significant styles of those
people and made them his own. there is no doubt we're listening to
neal, it's a reflection of his years of work.
just like all the great music people gravitate towards, there is
something captured on this album- a deep sincerity and commitment
behind every lyric, phrase, a conviction behind every note.
The Music Review
Gilbert Neal’s “Drink the Beast with Me” is a Christian rock/funk/pop CD (ed: Christian?). The songs have quite a bit of potential, offering various styles while still maintaining a strong commercial value as well. I love Gilbert’s voice, his R & B style meshes well with the musical content. However, there were occasions where the vocals were not tuned properly, particularly when Gilbert went for some vocal “gymnastics.”
Gilbert has an interesting story which I believe is somewhat depicted in the song “Abbie.” I can always appreciate a writer who can write from the heart and that is who Gilbert is, all heart.
Indie-Music.com
Artist: Gilbert Neal
CD: Drink the Beast with Me
Home: Hillsborough, North Carolina
Style: Smart Pop
Quote: "This is the kind of standout album that ought to make you want to hear more from Gilbert Neal – and soon."
By Dan MacIntosh
Gilbert Neal is an immediately likeable singer/songwriter. This musically multi-faceted CD is notable for its lyrical honesty and musical intensity.
The disc opens with one called “Jesus,” but it is hardly a church hymn. Instead, it includes the lines, “Who’s that man with the casual excuses? That’s me,” which makes it come off particularly confessional. “Aurora” is another good one. Over a cityscape description, its lyric tells the story of forbidden love. It is a little like a slicker Springsteen-ian ode, differentiated from The Boss by its layered vocal breakdown at one point.
Neal has an instantly appealing voice, which sounds like Stevie Wonder in many places. This naturally fine vocal instrument is utilized in a sincerely churchy way. Sonically, Drink The Beast With Me relies upon tight arrangements, colored by stacked vocals and appropriate organ fills.
This is the kind of standout album that ought to make you want to hear more from Gilbert Neal – and soon.
WYRK Radio, Buffalo, NY
Neal is so honest in "Jesus" that he pisses me off and forces me to love him, too. God, such a beautiful voice. "Aurora"...Awesome ending...lyrics that remind me so much of Steely Dan..not unlike "Drink the Beast With Me"..so TOTALLY what this generation needs to hear.
"Time Bomb"...always been a sucker for a smart lyric and a good hook myself. This is a treat to listen to. Proper marketing and editing make this a hit. "Abbie" is lovely...very personal. A sweet thing to listen too, but it feels so private.
"Do Something Stupid".. the genius of early Prince to mind for me...I could float to sea with this.
"Olivia"...what a love song... "The True Way" made me cry it is so good. "You're no Match for Me" Everything...his words are so personal...LOVE the funky thang he does so well, total Billy Preston on the keys ... "I live For You"..soooooo sweeet.
Picture it: Harry Chapin, Billy Preston, Prince and Elvis Costello have a kid....
- Jolene Baller
P22/Atom SmashRecords
"A unique and exhilarating synthesis of pop, funk, progressive music and rock filtered through a skewed filter. Funny, cynical, touching and wonderfully wise. One of the great Buffalo originals."
- Richard Kegler, Owner P22/Atom SmashRecords
Evolution Of Media
Self-proclaimed as “Chapel Hill’s Premiere Singer/Songwriter” North Carolina has given the musical world a rocker proficient at charming listeners with an acoustic jangle but also not afraid to branch out into other areas with a subtle professionalism.
On Gilbert Neal’s “Drink The Beast With Me,” a lot of ground gets covered. As far as the sound goes, Neal pitter patters on a lot. The title track opens with the soft groove of a dominant bassline constructed on pure funk and accentuated by hand claps. That funk then in turn gives way to a break down of a Jazzy sax and piano duet before seamlessly going back to the easy going guitar plucking.
Most of Neal’s stories sound like back porch soul searching in the Southwestern desert watching the sun dipping behind a jagged majestic mountain range. How comparable to the emotion he includes. Although sparse at parts, the inner turbulence of his psyche is easily understood. Confusion of all sorts have different ways of expressing themselves as “Beast” plays in an almost conceptual fashion. In the beginning, the opening song “Jesus” defensively states “Jesus he owes me/From all this abstaining/I’m here to collect/But I don’t suspect/He’ll pay me back soon.” On “Time Bomb” Neal again vents a bit of self-administered frustration while he playfully sings, “You told me to imbibe/But I would not take your bribe.”“Abbie”, a slow burning tear jerker with a vintage 60s Folk vibe crushes with the inner confession “I guess I don’t have that stuff in my heart/That helps me to pry faith and wisdom apart.”
In the end, as Neal continues to ramble on about his seemingly insurmountable problems the sun keeps setting beneath the blackening mountain range of his heart. The breezy song “The True Way” deflates most hope with the penetrating line “Even though she’s all messed up/She’s no match for me.” Sometimes we all need to know that someone else out there is suffering through the same trials and tribulations. Neal’s songs, while filled with gloom, still have a sparkle of ambivalence with Neal’s voice, as if he’s saying the entire time “well, that’s just the way things go.”
- Jacob Richardson, Evolution Of Media