Joseph Arthur
Redemption's Son

THE REVIEW

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.