The power of love is undeniable. Its influence is universal and the stories that can come from its pursuit are some of the greatest ever told. For Phil Gammage, his latest album “Redeemed” is all about it. It takes you on a wild ride that only something as powerful as love can fuel.
“Good Place” start things off and hits the ground running, wasting no time laying down a ramblin’ beat with a catchy bounce. The vocal aesthetic of Phil Gammage is hearty and warm that swells with a jovial bounce that mimics the instrumentals. Gammage’s spoken word vocals between each chorus allows it to keep its impact each time you hear it and is easy to sing along with by the end of the track. The bass hits deep with a drum beat that keeps things marching forward with a mellow guitar to give the instrumental a dash of lighthearted charm. “Good Place” rolls out the welcome mat with a fun and upbeat track that feels the party is just starting up.
“Right On” follows it up with fantastic Americana flair that hits the ground running. The smooth harmonica and deep, stringy guitars dance with Gammage’s rugged vocals to give the track a bit of a swing. When the bass and percussion kick in is when the party starts, with a groove that bounces deep enough that it may lift you out of your seat when it comes back around. With a killer harmonica solo, “Right On” follows up the intro track with an energy that keeps the party going.
“Serious Trouble” begins with a disarming air of mystery, with dramatic notes and a deep bass to lead the listener in. Gammage’s crooning vocals hit hard from the start, with the line “maybe you’re new to town, or you’re crawlin’ out of last rubble. Just heed my words friend, that girl’s some serious trouble.” The bass creeps along while the free-wheeling guitars sneak in and out with a cheeky charm that accentuates the marching beat of the tapping drums. Things get dramatic right after the 2-minute mark, when the mysterious aesthetic totally takes over and plunges the track into a melancholic and muted harmonica solo. It makes the dark charms of “Serious Trouble” a stand-out on the album.
The final track, “The Rain,” is another unique listen on the album. The reverb-laced guitar instantly creates an air of drama when backed by the deep groove of the bassline. The synths give the track a surreal aesthetic when combined with Gammage’s airy crooning. “The Rain” leans into its bluesy charm as the bass takes command, supported by the drums that keep the track on its toes. It’s a very contemplative and melancholy track, with lines such as “it’s been a long time, there’s been a lot of pain. My nerves are anxious, it won’t be the same” packed full of emotion that’s nailed home with each chorus. “The Rain” is a very emotional ending track to an album that started off on a rather rugged note.
“Redeemed” is a wild ride. It tells a story of love that doesn’t pull any punches with its emotional weight and isn’t afraid to show its brightest moments alongside its darkest pits. Each track has its own charm and tells its part of the story of love perfectly, with track such as “Good Place” greeting the listener warmly before plunging them into the mysterious and dramatic sonic trappings of others such as “Woman” and “Serious Trouble.” Others such as the title track and “The Rain” are packed full of emotion in both music and lyrics to give the album an undeniably strong heart. “Redeemed” is a great album with a heartfelt story to tell and does it with some fantastic dynamic shifts in tone from track to track.
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