Customer Reviews

Redemption's Son

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When I heard a review of this album on NPR a few months ago, I had to pull over to the side of the road and listen. I'd never heard of Joseph Arthur before, but the strength of his lyrics (what little I heard) made me wonder who he was and where I could find his work. I bought "Some to Where I'm From" and "Redemption's Son" at the same time and am now driving my coworkers crazy with it. I'm not usually the kind of person who slavers over an artist, but I now recommend those two albums to anyone I know who've lost love, faith, or perspective and think about how to get any of those things back. "Honey and the Moon" as well as "Exhausted" spoke to me on a visceral level and "Dear Lord" has converted a few of my friends to Joseph Arthur's introspective style and occasionally creepy imagery.

For those that know Joseph Arthur, this is easily his best album to date..for those that don't let me put it this way. They just don't make albums like this much anymore. A journey of beauty and tension and poetry. He is a master of the art with few equals. I'd trade half my record collection for this one album.

I was given this CD as a gift a few months back, and it hasn't left my CD changer since. I would describe Joseph Arthur as a heady mix between Jeff Buckley and Ryan Adams. He transitions from the elegant, moody introspection of Buckley to the romping alt-country of Adams in a snap without reason or need for apology. He creates rich harmonies through falcetto and intricate bass lines - you'll find yourself singing along with the opening title-track (which will remind you of David Grey), and not stopping until the closing song: "You've Been Loved". The CD is melancholy and sweet. He's a fantastic lyricist and underrated talent - you won't regret adding this one to your collection.

I weary about whether Redemption's Son would be as amazing as Come To Where I'm From, but I was truly blown away by the variety of styles and songs in this new Joseph Arthur work. Not only is is amazingly sung and played, but Arthur seems to project a depth that makes the music feel so personal. The best songs on the disc would have to "September Baby", "Nation of Slaves", "Blue Lips", "You've Been Loved" as well as the title track. For anyone who wants to be emotionally moved, this is the disc to submerse yourself in. A musical wonder.

There's no getting around it: regardless of his actual faith, Joseph Arthur is a Christian folk rocker. Nothing wrong with that, just a fact that grounds the sixteen stellar tracks of his third release Redemption's Son. Though his belief runs deep, the thrill in his work is that his faith doesn't come without continuous struggle. Like his idol (and label-owner) Peter Gabriel, Arthur turns experience of the day-to-day into the epic. Unlike Gabriel, his music is still in touch with the simple verities. He keeps his progressive tendencies in check, relying on solid narrative details and the ragged beauty of his countertenor. The title cut, "Dear Lord", "Evidence" - each root their moral struggle in a recognizable situation: absentee father, social estrangement, addiction. The drawback is that every song reaches the same conclusion - there's nothing that God can't put right. Still, it's a testament to Arthur's gifts that the end doesn't nullify the journey.

This is a truly inspiring artist. Joseph Arthur not only sings- he writes the songs, plays the instruments, and makes his own sleeve art. This is not like those cd's where you play it a few times, know the lyrics cover to cover and need to toss it out due to sheer boredom. Rather it's the cd that will need a permanent spot in the rotation. With each listen you will hear something new, and be able to peel back each layer of complex sound and lyrics. I am still trying to figure out Joseph Arthur- he has a definite spiritual influence, yet is infatuated with the vulnerable and so willing to express frustrations with the undefined. Like in Favorite Girl- "I have been so happy being unhappy with you.... Pretending to be someone you know nothing about. I wish you were someone I knew nothing about." This cd is a definite must have for the collection. Be the first amongst your friends to discover Joseph Arthur so you can take the credit for "discovering" one of music's best kept secrets! He is definitely on his way to great things...

For any fan, or the soon to be newly converted, Redemption's Son is a stunning collection of incredibly written and performed songs by one of the world's most underrated artists. This disc is a significant step forward from his previous efforts and is immediately engaging. Buy it now.

You either have it or you don't. Joseph Arthur has IT. "It" being soul. Along with the gift of soul, Arthur also has the gift of being a talented songwriter. This is his second record for Peter Gabriel's label and it picks up where "Come To Where I'm From" left off. I recently read somewhere that Ben Harper was a fan and hopefully Arthur can build a slow but steady word of mouth following by opening for someone like Harper. If you like soulful singer songwriters with a message then Joseph Arthur can do you no wrong. Standout cuts include "Redemption's Son", "Nation Of Slaves" & "Permission".

This is probably my favorite Joseph Arthur album he's the kind of artist I think would be an intresting person to meet. He's also the kind of artist you can listen to at night and dream of places you've never been but plain to, or even just hope to visit. On a subtle summer afternoon you can listen to him and almost take joy in the mosquitos biting. You can even listen to him on a hard rainy day and be happy in the midst of a great depression. This musician, on this album especially, has the ability to mellow out any great feelings of sorrow or ectasy and just make you feel content. And you get your moneys worth with eighteen tracks.

And to Vincent, Please, in the future can you refrain from confusing someones beleifs with the quality of their music?

I saw Joseph Arthur open for REM. I had never heard of him and was instantly hooked. Let his music speak for itself and you will be too. It's a wake-up call for your soul.