No Wish to Reminisce

Though Neal Casal is an in-demand session musician who has worked as a Cardinal with Ryan Adams and a string-bender with cosmic cowboys Beachwood Sparks, his eighth studio solo album delivers on its title with barbed guitar-pop and some timeless singer-songwriter moments on par with all the greats of a well rounded record collection. Although “You Don’t See Me Crying” introduces his 2006 long-player with the warm warble of an old Hammond organ and some rootsy electric guitar tones, No Wish to Reminisce doesn’t backpedal into any twangy territories treaded prior. The driving “Sleeping Pills In Stereo” throws power-pop punches punctuated by the kind of Anglo-flavored confessional wit associated with Glenn Tilbrook recordings from the ‘80s. The aptly titled “Grand Island” gets more…well…grandiose with orchestral arrangements providing a lush backdrop utilizing the same kind of gauzy mix that producer Michael Deming infuses on Pernice Brothers recordings. Rufus Wainwright’s influence subtly echoes throughout the wistful ballad “Freeway to the Canyon,” save for some road-weary inflections that could only come from having spent time treading asphalt with multiple bands.