Neal Casal - Basement Dreams (1998)

If planning to investigate the work of Neal Casal, start here. The album, although a trifle long, is shot through with a genuine and varied musicality. There's a very real sense of play; explicitly with the amused outtakes of the artist's father navigating his way through approximate renditions of old boot camp favorites, and also the eponymous "Kid on Trumpet." Charm aside, Casal's own compositions really take flight on the venomous "No One Said a Word," the quietly foreboding "Basement Dreams," and the bluesy "I Run and Hide complete with distant harmonica. "Freelight of Day," which refers obliquely to a suicide, and "Wisest of the Wise" continue the dark theme with artful use of tremolo laden guitar. In earlier works Casal had seemed to peddle a pleasant enough if unexceptional alt-country yearning. This collection exhibits talent and taste and nods to a pre-'60s heritage which is underlined by the achingly beautiful cover of "Widowmaker," with Angie McKenna on backing vocals. This man has got something special, perhaps a film soundtrack or Oscar ceremony would raise his profile to the level it deserves.