Rockpile, December, 2002
(4 of 5 stars) -- As one of the primary creative movers and shakers behind Goth indie rockers Tagging Satellites, Graig Markel has succeeded by recognizing the spaces between notes, ideas and players. On his two solo albums, last year's Hard Grammar and his latest, The Gospel Project, Markel has broadened his understanding by eschewing his Goth tendencies to explore the intersection of the slinky vibe of '60s Motown/'70s R&B and soulful contemporary indie pop. In Markel's hands, the results are everything great soul music should be -- romantic, heartfelt, smart, and meticulously arranged. Combining the pop edge of Francis Dunnery, Joe Pernice and Beck with the smoldering magnificence of the era's best soul signatures, Graig Markel has made an album as groovy as a late night DJ's record collection, as sexy as a striptease and as smart as an indie record shop clerk.
--Brian Baker

Splendid, November 29, 2002
We need more sultry rock -- makeout music that can heat up those slow indie parties, drawing all those too-reserved, sweater-clad objects of desire out of their woven shells. Maybe Graig Markel is going to supply it; he has a smooth voice, tempered with a worldly rasp, that keeps The Gospel Project from floating by on innocence alone. There's a link here to The Afghan Whigs, though Markel displays none of Greg Dulli's bitterness or bile; the same Motown influences are there, ensuring that a little bit of ass-shaking is on the roster. Markel slinks and growls through these tracks, a confident gleam in his eye as he wraps his voice in humid atmospheres. It's not all wildly successful, but the few failures pass by without making much noise, leaving the stronger stuff to dominate.

While the opener, "The World According To The Sea", is a good start, it's not until the 808 comes out to beat up on "Salvation Comes Home" that things start to swing. A lazy-cool guitar and dreamy backup singing don't hurt, either. "Hello Hello" and "Relics of Reaction" successfully reconfigure this formula, with "Relics" hooking in as it floats on by, riding a light synth wave. Markel's lyrical efforts are pretty good, but it's the sound that sticks rather than the words. That's just fine -- this is an album to listen to and feel, rather than cerebrally process. Strikingly, "Mirrors In Gold Frames" feels like a boy band track done right, as harmonized voices emphatically breathe each word over a radio-friendly pulse. That it works is something of a surprise, and Markel runs with it.

If the liner notes are to be believed, Graig Markel played and recorded The Gospel Project all by his lonesome, which may account for some of the sensual longing on display. Regardless, it's no little achievement; The Gospel Project displays a wide range of stylistic twinges while still feeling unified. The sliding, full-band soul of "Finer Side" cruises alongside the aforementioned beats and plaintive string-section power of "These Desert Eyes" with nary an off look or sideways glance. These tracks all get along, playing nice and sharing. It's not world-changing stuff, but with some drink and proper lighting, it could definitely transform an evening, maybe even stacking the deck in your favor. Markel clearly knows that we all need a little help now and again.
-- Russ Fischer

Innocent Words, December, 2002
Don't let the title of Graig Markel's release fool you, this is far from a gospel album. Markel does convey an ample amount of soul and R & B to this impressive disc, as he brings together temperamental pop rock with his seductive smooth vocal style. The musician takes his rich afffectionate melodies and accents them with silky grooves by using strings, horns, plush keys, and well picked guitar lines.

  While listening to The Gospel Project you can hear the influences of early Prince, Steely Dan and Chocolate Genius. Just like the purple one, Graig Markel has a sexy quality on this disc with his pop vocals that will make the girls swoon with delight. Markel constructs a velvety soundtrack for a romantic interlude you have been longing for but have been unable to find. With the 11 songs on The Gospel Project you are sure to feel ike Casanova.
-- Troy Michael

Glass Eye, Nov, 2002
Those getting tired of waiting for Cincinnati soul rockers Afghan Whigs to get their act together - and for Whigs frontman Greg Dulli to quit trying to be Beck - can take refuge in this disc from Graig Markel, a one-man band who delivers the goods, funky and tortured, on his 2nd solo outing.

"Salvation Comes to Me" finds Markel testifying -- before moving on to the next town, the next gig, the next girl - with a rat-a-tat snare drum by his side and a snarling guitar hook pushing (stabbing?) him in the back. "Hello Hello" is a little more playful, but its simple beat and pinging guitar still make Markel sound like he's looking for a little love before Armageddon hits.

The Gospel Project sounds more integrated than a lot of 'it's-all-me projects' do. And there's no sense that Markel recorded these parts months apart; they hang together well. Greg Dulli better listen up, as his website's about to get a lot fewer hits.
-- Frank Esposito

Reviews coming in the following mags and more...

Here's what critics said about Graig's 2001 release Hard Grammar available on Recovery/Mag Wheel Records. Pattern 25 recently released the Gospel Project in October 22, 2002.

"Hard Grammar is the smoothest, sexiest indie-rock record you're likely to find this year. you can only hope Beck and TLC can hear it pumping through their walls and that they're feeling entirely inadequate."
- magnet

"some of the sweetest pop vocalizing heard this year"
-alternative press

"markel's vocals are amazingly soulful."
-devil in the woods

"this is the album your love life has been waiting for...these sexy, grooving tunes could be the ultimate weapon in your next romantic conquest...he has perfected a smooth r&b vocal delivery and often calls on soul's pulsating rhythms to up the seductive power of his one-man electronic indie-pop creations."
-cmj new music report

"this is an impressive solo musical voyage put forth by graig markel."
-pulse

"markel is a songwriter with a wealth of talent and one gets the distinct impression that he's only just begun to scratch the surface with this record."
-exclaim

"an album unlike any other you've recently heard."
-the stranger

"i will never again judge a record by its cover as this album is pure brilliance and sonically paints pictures in my mind of lovely landscapes. i didn't realize that such subtle arrangements could be so captivating."
-midnight messenger

"markel has stripped away all of the unnecessary elements in these songs, relying simply on the strength of his voice and his stories."
-epitonic

For a list of complete reviews, see More Graig Markel Reviews

Return to the Graig Markel page