Customer Reviews

Redemption

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This Indiana-bred country-rock band is a real throwback to the southern rock of the 1970s. The quartet is looser, wilder, harder and seemingly less-calculated than redneck-rock acts like Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson, but they play to the same blue collar crowd. Their songs will strike a deep chord in a nation where political and business institutions seem to be at odds with the populace. The lead single, "Preachin' to the Choir," effectively expresses Joe Sixpack's pent-up frustration without resorting to the divisive tropes of talking-head politics. It doesn't pose any big solutions, but the opportunity to vent one's frustration in a like-minded crowd, and in this case, an anthem-singing country-rock crowd, is quite cathartic.

There's a nostalgic streak in the band's songs, including the comforts of their childhood "Home," and a satisfied recounting of their career in the optimistic "On Our Way." They take you inside the legendary Tootsie's Orchid Lounge in "33 Steps" (the title cleverly measuring the walk from the Grand Ol' Opry) and to the track for the NASCAR-themed "Turn Left." There's hard-charging electric guitar twang on the upbeat tracks, but even when the band slows down for banjo, steel and mandolin additions, the bass, guitar and drums remain solid. There are songs of rowdy Saturdays ("Alright" and "Tip a Can") and guilt-wracked Sundays ("Friend of Sinners"), love and sex. The latter, "Scratch Me Where I'm Itchin'," opens with a great Johnny Winter-styled riff.

In addition to the original material, the band covers the Kentucky Headhunters "The One You Love" and closes the album with a strong cover of America's "Sandman." The latter, originally released in 1971, is repurposed to address America's current military crises and conflicts. The song is played more heavily than the original, including a period-invoking electric sitar solo and a stinging guitar duel. The harmonies are sung with the power and stridency of CSN&Y's anti-war songs, putting a serious end to an album that's often lighter in topic. It's a great way to end the album, and really shows off the group's heartland grit, heart and soul. 3-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2010 hyperbolium dot com]

Second albums are usually second rate. Not this album! "Redemption " is a great follow up to their self titled first album. The songs are a great blend of country and rock. Country songs about prison and momma and racing and rock songs about beaches and concerts,this album is great.

A new coming band : if you like 38 Special, Doc Holiday and Lynyrd Skynyrd!
CD came in a very short time and at a quite low price!

I'm no expert, but from one country music lover all I can say is this CD is one of my Favs ever. It has a variety of music, from nearly but not quite gospel, to Sctratch me where I'm Itchin' <( Love it).Then to " THe One you Love " women adore this song. I could say more, but I'll stop at that :) If you're not already a Flynnville Train fan, hear the CD & you will be.

Flynnville Train
"Redemption"
(Evolution Records, 2010)
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Over the last few years, the classic Southern rock sound has found a new venue in the country Top 40, championed by bands like Montgomery Gentry, et. al. On their second album, this Indiana-based quartet ups the ante with a headlong rush into classic a Lynyrd Skynyrd/Johnny Winter/Allman-esque guitar attack. Lots of blue-collar, middle-America, heartland nostalgia as well: the opening track, "Home," follows a familiar path of extolling the virtues of the American family farm, although the Flynnville boys do it with way louder guitars than most of the Nashville bands. "Preachin' To The Choir" is a political number that puts a harsh spotlight on the current economy, probably more from Glenn Beck's perspective than Paul Krugman's, but a legitimate, heartfelt blast of frustration and anger, nonetheless. (Note to the band: the one line here I don't really like is the one that condemns "all" politicians -- I think there are real differences between the parties, and individuals on both sides of the aisle that are working in good faith to solve our problems; voter apathy and anger definitely are not going to help us get out of this hole... But paying attention to voting records and putting people's feet to the fire will help. Anyway, enough preaching from me... back to the music...)

Bottom line: this is a pretty strong record, with many different textures and talents on display... If you're looking for a more rugged country sound than what's coming out of Nashville these days, you might wanna check this album out. (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue Guide To Country Music)