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Published a few months after the release of the Junkyard Hearts, this third album by Joseph Arthur retains the atmospheres and themes of those four beautiful EPs.
The atmosphere becomes more relaxed compared to previous works, Arthur gives his compositions a classic and elegant arrangement (Honey And The Moon), without completely losing that element of claustrophobia (Nation Of Slaves) that characterized both Big City Secrets and Come To Where I'm From.
All the songs on the album have as a common element wonderful fresh and captivating melodies (You've Been Loved) that give the entire record an instant catchiness from the very first listen, and despite the long duration (more than 70 minutes), all the tracks (16) flow quickly without a drop in quality. The lyrics, as always, represent a very important part of Arthur's work: fears (I Would Rather Hide), nightmares, sleepless nights, ghosts of lost loves (Bluelips), and above all the specter of death that looms menacingly among the grooves of the tracks. Sad, mournful, and demanding themes that never become heavy (unlike some other authors) thanks to the fierce ironic touch that Joseph Arthur gives them.
Redemption's Son is an album fundamentally composed of Folk-Country ballads that often and willingly rise to become true Gospel. The core, the heart of the entire record, lies in the power and vocal abilities of this Songwriter who, with the help of his voice alone with its thousand nuances, builds formidable choirs (Gospel, indeed), where he gently lays his magical and psychedelic sounds to sing his stories of beautiful losers. Redemption's Son has all the characteristics of a great classic.
An absolute masterpiece.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Redemption's Son (04:34)
I don't know where we've been
Could you tell me where we are again?
And Jesus is my only friend
No one else knows who I am
I know I'll never make it on the cross
Spent my days looking for what my daddy lost
He was too proud to have a boss
Sold himself out then he couldn't afford the cost
No one knows how he felt
Hung himself in the county jail
There were those who said he would burn in hell
I don't think they knew him very well
Angel of love
Shine a light on us
I was born to be
Redemption's son
Angel of love
Shine a light on us
I was born to be
Redemption's son
Forgive us for what we've done, Lord
Forgive us for what we've done
I don't know were we are
Fearful eyes don't see very far
Drivin' in my daddy's car
Ashtray full of his cigars
Is it real what I see...
His ghost ridin' next to me?
'Till he's gone I won't be free
From the burden of his misery
I know I'll never make it on the cross
Spent my days looking for what my daddy lost
He was too proud to have a boss
Sold himself out then he couldn't afford the cost
All over the neighborhood
Mostly he was misunderstood
In his heart the bad beat the good
Used to be a time I'da killed him if I could
Angel of love
Shine a light on us
I was born to be
Redemption's son
Angel of love
Shine a light on us
I was born to be
Redemption's son
Forgive us for what we've done, Lord
Forgive us for what we've done, Lord
Forgive us for what we've done..........
02 Honey and the Moon (04:44)
Don't know why I'm still afraid
If you weren't real I would make you up
now
I wish that I could follow through
I know that your love is true
And deep
As the sea
But right now
Everything you want is wrong,
And right now
All your dreams are waking up,
And right now
I wish I could follow you
To the shores
Of freedom,
Where no one lives.
Remember when we first met
And everything was still a bet
In love's game
You would call; I'd call you back
And then I'd leave
A message
On your answering machine
But right now
Everything is turning blue,
And right now
The sun is trying to kill the moon,
And right now
I wish I could follow you
To the shores
Of freedom,
Where no one lives
Freedom
Run away tonight
Freedom, freedom
Run away
Run away tonight
We're made out of blood and rust
Looking for someone to trust
Without
A fight
I think that you came too soon
You're the honey and the moon
That lights
Up my night
But right now
Everything you want is wrong,
And right now
All your dreams are waking up,
And right now
I wish that I could follow you
To the shores
Of freedom
Where no one lives
Freedom
Run away tonight
Freedom freedom
Run away
Run away tonight
We got too much time to kill
Like pigeons on my windowsill
We hang around
Ever since I've been with you
You hold me up
All the time I've falling down
But right now
Everything is turning blue,
And right now
The sun is trying to kill the moon,
And right now
I wish I could follow you
To the shores
Of freedom
Where no one lives
05 Innocent World (03:53)
We don't know which way we're goin'
Don't know where we are
Find a way out, find a way
Home is somewhere I'm missin'
When I look around
Find a way out, find a way
Hell has no reason to smile
When you're living in an innocent world
You once had a heart like a child
Now it's buried under sadness and guilt
We don't know which way we're goin'
Don't know where we are
Find a way out, find a way
Home is somewhere I'm missin'
When I look around
Find a way out, find a way
Hell has no reason to smile
When you're living in an innocent world
You once had a heart like a child
Now it's buried under sadness and guilt
Don't run away
Don't run away
Don't run away now
Don't run away
Don't run away
Don't run away now (now, oooh ooh ooh......)
14 In the Night (02:20)
And where we live is where we hide
'Cause we can't forgive what's inside
We have sweet love (we have sweet love)
We have sweet love (we have sweet love)
Chorus:
In the night
Voices will fight
Voices of shadows and the runaways
Running from love
And every sorrow left behind
And when we wake up
It's already dark
And I touch your face,
I feel your heart
We have sweet love (we have sweet love)
We have sweet love (we have sweet love)
Chorus: (4x)
In the night
Voices will fight
Voices of shadows and the runaways
Running from love
And every sorrow left behind
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By honeyandmoon
When you listen to a song by Joseph, it seems like it was written just for you, as if only he understood you.
A singer-songwriter is NOT just someone with an acoustic guitar and a harmonica in their mouth trying to be Dylan at all costs.
