A stirring album out today from Irish artist Joe Hodgson, Fields Of Redemption showcases a dynamic appeal that spans from bluesy rock to jazz, country, and Irish traditional music. “The album is fundamentally about reconnecting with my roots, reconciling with and embracing the past, while steadfastly looking to the future,” Hodgson says, noting that the album’s main inspiration came from a journey around his native Ireland with his new wife, and also a Gibson Les Paul at the ready. “It’s also about a journey to find inner peace, which for me is punctuated by laughter and a whole lotta fun. Overall, I think it’s a very uplifting record.”
Opening track “The Grass Is Greener” presents a charismatic rock appeal with soaring guitar lines leading the way, balancing dreamy guitar-rock expressions with shades of prog-rock in its ambitious tonal display. The ensuing “Shapeshifting” revels in a similarly dexterous guitar-forward rush initially, then strutting an eclectic charm as tender suaveness then builds into a frantic country-rock feeling. The album’s one-two punch wastes no time in showcasing Hodgson’s eclectic talents as both a guitarist and songwriter.
The album is largely an instrumental one, though also excels in its few moments featuring vocals. “Since You Had A Hold On Me” infuses bluesy vocal captivation alongside warming organs and heart-aching guitars, making for another highlight. “Picking You Apart” is another lovely one, pairing prancing strings and laid-back guitars for an affecting, romantic-sounding immersion. Fields Of Redemption is a fantastic showing from Joe Hodgson.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
