Neall has put together quite a cohesive collection of pop songs on his debut CD release entitled 'Rittenhouse Square'. Sometimes Jangley, sometimes overdriven and always memorable, each song features strong musical and lyrical hooks that will keep you reaching for the play button. The influences that Neall cites are clearly evident here, from the Beatlesqe horn and cello lines, to the XTC inspired rhythm guitar parts, through melody lines that span all influences as Neall interjects his personal touch on every aspect. This totally self produced effort showcases Mr. Alcott's songwriting, arranging, performing, producing, and engineering talents. It's not uncommon for someone to possess talents in one or two of these areas, but it's quite a treat to hear a CD that is so solid on all fronts; all coming from the talents of a single person. Lyrically, this album doesn't often rely on cliché and the song topics themselves are fresh yet comfortable, covering the classic topics of life and love. "When The World Comes Down" is a rocker with a textbook perfect riff about the struggles of modern existence, and the encouragement of people to succeed by helping themselves. The title track, "Rittenhouse Square" is a brilliant uplifting piano driven pop ditty about the happiness of sharing time with a companion at a special location through the year. The third track is a rocking comment on a relationship, with a huge hook that asks why 'you and me, never seem to be, in the same "State Of Mind"', all while featuring really nice lead guitar work throughout. "6am" is up next – a minor keyed tune which depicts making way through life, one 6am at a time. The chugging guitar that brings in "Save me" leads the way for the rocker that is to come. "On My Own" slows things down a bit with an Indian percussion driven laid back and introspective song about the comparative joy of being alone. The next tune brings the CD back to tempo with the reassuring refrain of "I'll Be Fine". "Baby Don't You Let Me Down" is a bluesy mid-tempoed rocker that sarcastically asks for consistency in mistreatment at the hands of a lover. Another track about life and struggle, "Marywood" chronicles the wishes of a patriarch for better things for her family. "Nothing Else Remains" tells the story about the end of days for a relationship, and "I Know You Know" is a song with a great drum line, despite the fact that I know I don't know what it is about. Rounding out the album is "All Alone Again", a beautiful twelve string guitar with string ensemble ballad about moving on. Neall has really outdone himself on this CD. It's as fine a self produced album as I've ever heard, and I really believe that if you're a fan of power pop, or pop in general that you owe it to yourself to get this recording, and support a very talented musician and songwriter.

I've had the pleasure of listening to Neall create this album over the past few months. He bounced a few ideas off of me as I reviewed his work. My favs on this album have to be the title track, "Rittenhouse Square", with the Beatlesesque horns in the background; "When the World Comes Down on You" also has that "get in the car and drive" sound to it; and the harder bass line of "Save Me" and strained lyrics adds a different flavor to Neall's music.