Greg Smith
Redemption Road
Review by Gary Hill
This is a collection of well-written music and strong performances of those songs. The music is generally in the folk rock territory, with some variation in terms of the style within that concept. That brings up the one issue I have with it. I am sure it's done to create an artistic statement, but the album is divided into sections (technically two "chapters" and an "epilogue"). The first chapter is acoustic guitar based music (with other instruments augmented. The second features more keyboard dominated tracks and one is electric guitar based. The epilogue, just one song, is an instrumental piece.
Here is the problem. The first chapter includes so many songs, and they are just a little too similar. I think that pulling some of the other songs in to break it up would allow the album to flow better. Again, I get it. It's an artistic statement, and I can appreciate that. I just think the album would be a more effective listening experience if the more varied songs were interspersed throughout. It's just a matter of degrees, though, as this is good, either way.
This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2021 Volume 3. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2021.
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