Eliza Neals: "Thunder In The House" (2026) CD Review

These are days when you just want to scream at people, "Stop being so awful." And there aren't always the right, or appropriate, outlets for that energy, but keeping it inside just eats at us. Fortunately, there are some voices that seem to take that energy and send it in a more positive direction, and listening to them works to release and even transfer that energy in us. It's a special kind of magic that certain singers are able to do. Eliza Neals is especially adept at it. It's almost a relief that she has a new album out. Titled Thunder In The House, it contains all original material, written or co-written by Eliza Neals. Joining her on this album are Michael Puwal on guitar, Doug Woern on bass, Steve Lacross on drums, and Justin Headley on drums, along with guests on a few tracks. The album was produced and arranged by Eliza Neals, and co-produced by Michael Puwal.

Eliza Neals opens the album with "Speedy Beady," with a good, mean blues vibe to immediately set the mood. "I got a red rooster," she sings at the beginning, which reminds us of another great blues number, "Little Red Rooster." But this original number soon goes in its own direction. I love that moment when it kicks in with a brutal force. The power was already there in Eliza's vocals, of course. This song doesn't shy away from violence, from death. "That boy protected me from harm/Then a mangy, mangy dog came sneaking up around/And he chomped Speedy Beady up into his jaws/He killed my favorite rooster/Now he's in the ground." But there is also a playful spirit to this song, a certain humor. This song was written by Eliza Neals, Michael Puwal and H.J. Neals. It's followed by "Love Will." "Can you spare a touch, can you spare a kiss?" Eliza asks at the beginning of this one. "We're all alone in the dark/Open up your eyes/We're all alone in the dark." Indeed. Then she tells us, "So many people losing their way/We need love to brighten up their day." See? She is able to take our frustration and channel it in a much better direction. "Love's the antidote." It's interesting to hear that message wrapped in a great, mean blues garment. The trouble, the frustration is still there; this isn't some kind of sunshine pop song, promising everything is going to be okay without any effort on our part. It's going to be work, the music tells us. But we can do it, the music also tells us.

With "Blues Bombshell," Eliza Neals gets sexy and seductive, sounding so inviting. Because of course a song called "Blues Bombshell" must be a personal number coming from such a vocalist. "I did not mean to tear you apart," she sings. She inserts a slight pause after the word "mean," providing us with just enough time to begin to guess where she might be taking us. Did any of us correctly guess how that line was to end? This song is a cool, slow strut. "I'm your blues bombshell/Saving souls from hell." This music does save us from the hell of the current political and social landscape, driving away all those demons. Interestingly, she later sings, "Don't take me apart." This track features some great stuff on guitar, as well as some cool stuff on keys. Mike Hepner plays both organ and piano on this track. "All Alone" then surprisingly begins on keys, kind of easing in. This time it is Eliza Neals herself on organ and piano. And there is a beautiful ache in her voice as she sings, "I'm looking for you every day and every night." This song has a different vibe, a different tone, with a heavy kind of pop flavor. "I'm all alone in my dream/Won't you rescue me."

"Locked Up" opens in a somber, introspective place, with some nice work on piano by Eliza Neals. "I done lost, lost everything/I even lost, lost my wedding ring," she sings. I assume what she means is that the marriage has ended, and focusing on the physical object is an interesting way of conveying that loss, like the last remnant of a relationship. Eliza Neals provides her own backing vocal work, which has a different tone from her lead vocals, showing even more of her range. "I'm locked up (locked up) from the inside." And I think we can all relate to these lines: "Next thing I lose/Sure gonna be my mind." Michael Puwal delivers some excellent guitar work. "So many people living in poverty/Wake me up from this crazy scheme." I love that in that line she uses "scheme" instead of "dream." That's followed by "Wicked Heart." The first line is delivered a cappella, then the band comes in. This one has a groove you can dance to, and is more in the rock realm, but of course still with that delicious raw power. Mark Leach is on organ for this one, delivering some really nice stuff. "So many times/I look you right in your eyes/Just lies, lies, lies."

In "Unoriginal Bitch," Eliza sings, "Unoriginal, everything you say and do/Come to bother me/Make me feel like slapping you." Oh yeah, we are right with her. I love this song, and I love the attitude in her delivery. By the way, some people deserve to be slapped. They just do, and there should be no punishment for doing what needs to be done. This is a wonderful and fun song, featuring some strong guitar work. Then "One Monkey (Don't Stop No Show)" begins with a strong beat, and soon it features some cool work by Mark Leach on organ. Frankie Maneiro is on guitar for this track, and Michael Puwal is on drums. I only wish this song didn't use that "shelf"/"self" rhyme (and it uses it twice). Other than that, this song is a fun, totally enjoyable number with a good energy. The album concludes with its title track, "Thunder In The House," which begins in a delicious, haunting atmosphere, the music soon breaking through the smoke, the darkness. This track, which was written by Eliza Neals and Michael Puwal, features another powerful vocal performance. Powerful and moving. There is also great use of percussion on this track. It's a captivating number.

CD Track List

1. Speedy Beady
2. Love Will
3. Blues Bombshell
4. All Alone
5. Locked Up
6. Wicked Heart
7. Unoriginal Bitch
8. One Monkey (Don't Stop No Show)
9. Thunder In The House

Thunder In The House was released on March 26, 2026.