Redemption City
Redemption City is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur, self-released as a digital download on January 18, 2012.[1] A double album, fans were given the option to download the release for free, or make a donation. A limited vinyl release is available to purchase from Arthur's official site.[2] Regarding the album's unconventional and immediate release following its completion, Arthur stated, "Please don’t take the method, or the freedom, of this release to be any judgment on its value. [...] It's great to take advantage of what the internet is actually good at - immediacy. This is the first time I've released something while still inhabiting its space."[3]
Redemption City | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | January 18, 2012 | |||
Recorded | 2009-2011 | |||
Genre | Alternative rock, folk rock | |||
Label | Self-released | |||
Producer | Joseph Arthur | |||
Joseph Arthur chronology | ||||
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Background and recording
Arthur began working on Redemption City in 2009, often abandoning the project, then returning to it; building a recording studio in Brooklyn for the sole purpose of recording the album, and performing each instrument on the album himself.
Title
Upon the album's release, Arthur included a note online discussing the album's title, stating, "Around the time I was putting out Redemption's Son (2002), I met Peter Beard in Montauk. [...] One night I told Peter the name of my record that was about to come out, "Redemption’s Son," I said. "Too religious," he said. He was probably right but that’s what it was called, though it wasn’t out yet. The next day he said, “I thought of a better title for you.” I asked, “What?” He paused for drama and then said, Redemption City. 9/11 had just happened, it was a crazy title and I instantly liked it better than Redemption’s Son, but it was too late, that record was already on its way to stores. But I held onto that title. [...] A few years ago I set about making it. The record inspired by the title. What would a city of redemption sound like? What kind of characters would inhabit it?"[3]
Track listing
Part I
- "Travel as Equals"
- "Wasted Days"
- "Mother of Exiles"
- "Yer Only Job"
- "I Miss the Zoo"
- "There With Me"
- "No Surrender Comes for Free"
- "Night Clothes"
- "Redemption City"
- "Barriers"
- "You're Not the Only One"
- "So Far from Free"
Part II
- "Surrender to the Storm"
- "Fractures"
- "Free Freedom"
- "Touched"
- "Follow"
- "Kandinsky"
- "Humanity Fade"
- "Sleepless"
- "It Takes a Lot of Time to Live in the Moment"
- "Visit Us"
- "I Am the Mississippi
- "Travel as Equals" (reprise)
Personnel
- Joseph Arthur - all instruments, producer, mixing
- Merritt Jacob - mixing
- Fred Kevorkian - mastering
- Carla Podgurecki - cover photograph
References
- "Album Stream: Joseph Arthur - Redemption City :: Featured Audio :: Paste". Pastemagazine.com. 1999-02-22. Retrieved 2012-01-19.
- "Redemption City, new album available for FULL FREE DOWNLOAD [HQ]". Joseph Arthur. Retrieved 2012-01-19.
- "3 x 12" Vinyl : Redemption City : Joseph Arthur : New : Joseph Arthur Online Store". Josepharthur.store-08.com. Retrieved 2012-01-19.