Neil Nathan

"Similar to The Eagles or Jackson Browne with a bit of Dylan, it's meat and potatoes rock and roll that satisfies all the way through. There are few musicians out there that can pull off this combo of energy and soulful songwriting (Both Matthew Sweet and Jeff Tweedy qualify)."- - Powerpopaholic

Neil Nathan has to be one of the coolest people on earth. Imagine hitchhiking along a California highway with nothing but you’re sultry vocals and a dusty guitar case. Then, imagine that you were so in love with someone that you would not only travel a lost road for however long it might take to find them (3 1/2 minutes, maybe?), but that even being picked up by Rosario Dawson in a sweet hybrid couldn’t deter said love? Sound like a crazy scenario? Sure it does. But, that is exactly what sweet talkin’, love searching Neil has done in his video from the super catchy track “California Run”.

Not long ago (weeks actually) I wrote an album review for Nathan’s LP The Distance Calls. In said review I can be quoted as saying that our wondering hero is “without a doubt a rising figure in the indie pop world”. I now feel as though I should have refrained from making that comment. And it’s not because I had no idea that Rosario Dawson was once his roommate in college (but, it doesn’t hurt). No, a change must be made simply because the mass appeal of “California Run”, as well as its corresponding video, are so well perfected, and the track is such a perfect single it’s awe inspiring.

I still contest that it is not the best song on the record (that honor still belongs to “Far Off”). But, I will be damned if our man Neil isn’t in the running for the “next big thing” label that comes at the beginning of superstardom. Let’s just hope that our hero remains somewhat close to his independent roots. Don’t forget the little people Mr. Nathan! - Fensepost

"Neil Nathan might not be a household name, but we're adding a big fat "yet" to the end of that statement.....For folks who miss classic Tom Petty, Stones, T Rex, and the Who." --Flavorpill
- Flavorpill

"Melding the heartache of alt. country to the soul of acoustic Americana, Nathan's "Glide" EP is a stirring, thoughtful collection of mini-revelations that grow in beauty with every listen."
Nevin Martell
Music Journalist
Filter Magazine
Author, Beck: The Art of Mutation

- Nevin Martell

Right album at exactly the right time.

I’ve spent the better part of the last two months buried under a pile of the hardest and heaviest of rock and metal that this world has to offer. At one point on this past metallic journey, I do believe I commandeered Charon’s skiff and piloted myself to a previously unknown ring of the hot lands of tortured souls. Charon wasn’t too pleased and told me to get out, but I think y’all see where I’m going with this. I was in a very dark place for a very long time, and I was getting a bit too comfy with the whole situation. I needed something fresh. I needed something a little less, oh let’s call it . . . filled with angst and hatred. I needed something that would take me to my happy place and make me feel all warm and glow-y inside. And, along came Neil Nathan with his latest release entitled The Distance Calls. It called alright, and I didn’t hesitate to answer.

The Distance Calls is pretty much a straight up rock album in the vein of The Eagles, maybe Bob Dylan’s louder moments, and I get a feeling of Jackson Browne as well. There are none of those flashy, hey-mom-look-at-me-moments, it’s just a no frills rock album. Brimming with quality songwriting, stellar performances, and emotion for days, this disc will sit well with anyone who likes that classic rock sound of the 70’s. And, to help me make my point, Neil Nathan kicks off the disc with the ELO classic, “Do Ya,” only broken down to the root melody and emotion. This tune is considerably slowed down from the original version, and honestly, I think this is the way the song should always be performed. Someone get a hold of the guys spinning discs at the classic rock stations and tell ‘em to stop, replace it with this, and explain that Neil Nathan’s version is much more soulful and worthy of the world’s attention. Initially, I didn’t recognize the song because the arrangement is so back to basics and lacking of the hopping energy of the original. After a few seconds of soaking in the layers of texture, the combination of acoustic guitars, piano, and that incredibly rich voice, the song had me smiling and suddenly singing along. Brilliant rendition of the tune!

From there the album picks up the tempo and groove with “California Sun” and “When the Rain Falls.” Both tunes, though different in texture, tempo, and tone have a similar vibe. Upbeat and grooving, catchy melodies that hook you between the cheek and gum, soulful performances, these songs just move the album along at a nice pace to give the listener the feeling that this listening experience will be just that . . . an experience. In particular, “California Sun” has that countrified feeling that The Eagles mastered throughout their career. The tones of the guitars as they subtly strum the rhythm, the note bends of the electric guitars, and the slight vocal warble captures driving through the deserts and farmlands of California like I haven’t heard in a long, long time. Pay special attention to the tasteful guitar solo on “California Sun” as well.

“Don’t Walk Away” is the song that every songwriter wants to write. But, not just write . . . these songwriters have gotta’ perform it with the same soul and passion that the good Mr. Nathan whips out on this recording. Stripped down to just a piano, acoustic guitar, Nathan’s warm vocals, this is the song that makes me stop, and damn near makes me cry as the thought of every woman I’ve ever known comes flooding back into my brain. It’s not so much the lyrics that move on this one as it is the vocal performance, the tone . . . the melody. You try telling me that it doesn’t hit you right there in the ole blood pumper when he utters the very first line of the tune! Amazing sensation! Would somebody mind passing me a beer . . . and a box of Kleenex?

And for yet another change of pace, give “So Much More” a spin. What you’ll end up hearing is a song that has a 50’s doo-wop vibe. I love the guitar work here as in one ear, you hear the staccato strum of the electric guitar and in the other ear, another guitar playing a sweet arpeggio passage, all while an acoustic softly strums away in the center of the mix. Great production work on this track! Again, the vocals are solid with Nathan crooning away one minute and seductively singing through verse the next. Toss in a few female vocal harmonies and you have a tune that has so much of the tone from a bygone age mixed with a modern sense of songwriting. A simple nod to the past, but feet firmly planted in the earth of today’s music world.

The Distance Calls is one of those albums where you can drop the needle anyplace on the record and find yourself soaking in a well crafted song. Of course, if you don’t have a record player, go ahead and hit any of the tracks on your CD player and experience the same sensation. And, it’s not just the songwriting that stands out on this. Without strong musicianship and musicians with true musical soul, even the best written songs will fall flat. It’s a special combination that a small percentage of musicians have the ability to tap into. Neil Nathan and company did a fabulous job of creating a record that rocks enough to get the energy flowing, but is soft enough that it won’t scare the Mrs. from the car. Perfectly balanced rock and soul. Neil, thanks for pulling me out of the darkness . . . and Charon thanks you as well. - Pope JTE - The Ripple Effect

"Combining garage rock, roots, and a touch of glam, Nathan has created an album of unforgettable pop gems. One of this year's truly great rock records and one of the most promising songwriters I've heard in years. The tunes are so sugary, they would give Matthew Sweet a toothache." - Snob's Music

- Snob’s Music

"The country-inflected single breezes by like a convertible cruising down the PCH, sounding like a long-lost Old 97's track that was recently unearthed." - Magnet Magazine

"Wow, this is really good. Like a mellow Steve Marriott."
John Ingham
Music Journalist
MOJO, NME, Creem, Rolling Stone - John Ingham

"I loved it. Like Chris Isaak, full of longing"
Jennifer Kelly
Music Journalist
Popmatters, Dusted, Neumu - Jennifer Kelly

"Gone (Fly Away) is catchy as hell. These songs are great."
Gary Blackwell
Music Journalist
Spin Magazine, Delusions of Adequecy, MotorCityRocks.com - Gary Blackwell

"Nathan’s voice, a combination of rock and soul, is full of longing on this revamped romanticized piece."
- Magnet Magazine
- Magnet Magazine

"Earnest, melancholy singer/songwriter has a talent that cuts to and through the heart." - Philadelphia Daily News - Philadelphia Daily News