Redemption

Description

Redemption is the eleventh and final studio album by the American rock band White Heart, released on Curb Records in 1997. The album was recorded by Richie Biggs at The Bennett House in Franklin, Tennessee; with band members Billy Smiley and Mark Gersmehl producing, assisted by Biggs. Mixed by Biggs at Sound Kitchen in Franklin.

The band lineup on this album is Rick Florian (lead and backing vocals), Mark Gersmehl (keyboards, loops, lead and backing vocals), and Billy Smiley (acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and backing vocals). The album also features Barry Graul on acoustic and electric guitars, as well as lead guitars (with Roscoe Mead providing additional guitars on tracks 2, 6, and 7), Mark Hill on bass, Mike Mead on drums, and Steve Hindalong on percussion (with Greg Herrington providing drum programming).

Their first release since 1995’s ‘Inside‘ which saw While Heart head for the mainstream, it would appear unsuccessfully. ‘Redemption’ presents the band as a trio for the first time; songwriting founder members Mark Gersmehl (keyboards, vocals) and Billy Smiley (guitars), and long time vocalist Rick Florian are joined by session musicians on an album which successfully melds together two traditions of White Heart’s distinctive sound, capturing the best of their ‘Tales Of Wonder‘ era pop rock and developing the latter day acoustic flavourings and rawer guitar workouts. Gersmehl and Smiley are back in full production control, having learned some lessons from Ken Scott who oversaw ‘lnside”s simpler, punchier direction. Don’t be fooled by the boys’ radical image change, either – long hair is out. crew cuts and beards are in – but this is no desperate plot to grab a few Jars Of Clay/Third Day fans; ‘Redemption’ is classic White Heart and their best release for years. «Love Is Everything» is an instant delight for those of us who are still suckers for a gently insistent sing-along chorus and deserves wide exposure. «Honestly» (not a cover version of the old Stryper ballad!) comes from the same mould, whilst the warmth and humility of «The Vine» and «Fall On Me» are captivating, the latter being simply the best song about Holy Spirit renewal, whether consciously “worship” by design or otherwise, that I have yet heard. The guys haven’t forgotten how to rock out. Either; there’s nothing here to match the classic «Independence Day» but «Steel And Stone», «Man Overboard» and authentic closer «Jesus» will sufficiently annoy the neighbours given enough volume! White Heart have weathered a recent storm of indecision over the future of the band, and ‘Redemption’ is a timely reminder of the musical excellence and continued relevance of these long-serving pioneers of Christian rock. Welcome back. [Paddy Hudspith, Cross Rhythms, February 1998]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/redemption/74005044)

CD tracklist:

01. Looking Glass – 4:00
02. Man Overboard – 5:06
03. Honestly – 4:37
04. Steel & Stone – 5:28
05. The Vine – 4:07
06. Fall On Me – 4:43
07. Give Enough – 4:28
08. Love Is Everything – 5:01
09. Remember This – 4:58
10. Jesus – 4:14

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Curb Records.

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