The Redemption Center: Press

Delivering twelve tracks worth of deeply harmonic and engaging music that ably blends elements of twangy country, rootsy folk, and rousing rock into one hell of a rich, tasty, and arresting sonic stew, this album certainly hits the stirring and melodic spot somethin’ sweet. The nasal and reedy, yet pleasant and affecting vocals convey emotion with exquisite clarity and galvanizing vitality. The arrangements keep things tuneful and hoppin’ throughout. The smart and thoughtful songwriting likewise impresses with its strong sense of economy and refreshing dearth of sappy sentiment. Best of all, there’s a real sweet warmth and glowing humanity that rings through loud and clear in every last radiant note. A lovely and touching slice of pure heartfelt Americana.

Regular PoP visitors will be aware of my weakness for the gorgeous hybrid of country music and pop-rock that may be variously referred to as country-rock, alt-country, roots-rock, Americana or as the late great Gram Parsons defined it, “Cosmic American Music”. I personally believe that at its best, this country-rock hybrid is at its core, soul music. It’s basic and heartfelt, with words and music that tug at your heartstrings. What more could anyone want from good old fashioned popular rock music?

With songs informed by the messed up melodicism of The Replacements, the charm of the Jayhawks and the ragged glory of Neil Young, Land of Plenty is rustic and rollicking at exactly the right moments. With ‘real’ lyrical concepts rendering meaningfulness, tracks like The Boy Who Shed His Skin, A Man Who Knows A Few Things and the title track will leave a deep impression on the serious music lover who demands a little more than a pretty face and auto tuned vocals from his listening choices.

Dang! I'd already voted for Robert Plant's Band Of Joy as my favourite release of the year in Mojo magazine's annual poll before I played this CD because this slice of Americana bears favourable comparison with any album I heard, secular or Christian, in all of 2010. If you didn't know, The Redemption Center are session-seasoned American musos J Stephen Smith and Jesse Sprinkle (Dead Poetic, Demon Hunter). They've created a gem, one moment you have the humour and faith of Lost Dogs. The next you hear echoes of the melancholic hope characteristic of Bill Mallonee's Vigilantes Of Love. There are touches of Steve Earle's acoustic humanity and social conscience. Overlaying it all, one hears Jayhawks-like jangling guitars, harmonies and memorable melodies so that just as one track becomes a favourite, its successor takes over. "I'm Afraid Of You" puts lyrics from the late, great Mark Heard (first published in the Hammers & Nails biography) to music. "The Boy Who Shed His Skin" tells the story of a young man, Jonny Kennedy, who suffered from a horrific genetic disorder. The title cut asks - á là early 1970s Graham Kendrick - how much we think we are worth in redemption. Moreover, purchases of the CD support Music With A Meal Deal, a project in New York State to feed nutritious meals to the hungry. My only problem is extracting the disc in order to review my other assignments. Recommended without the slightest hint of reservation.

For over two years, a man from “Central NY” by the name of J. Stephen Smith has been working with Jesse Sprinkle to create some down to earth country-rock full of fun satire, social consciousness, and spiritual reflection. You may know Jesse as the brother of Aaron Sprinkle, default producer at Tooth & Nail. Jesse and Aaron started together in Poor Old Lu, and Jesse has since taken his drumming talents to approximately half of the bands ever signed to T&N, including Morella’s Forest, Demon Hunter, and Dead Poetic. Now moving from band member to producer, Jesse co-wrote all but two songs on Land of Plenty, though all the lyrics came from J. Stephen Smith. As someone more familiar with his drumming than his solo material, it is hard to say how heavy his influence ways on The Redemption Center. Either way, this is a solid debut from a band worth keeping an eye on. Some songs tell stories in the way Johnny Cash used to do (“Showdown”), while others poke fun modern life and human failures (“Parcel of My Heart”). The band’s heart for the needy is not only shown in songs like “The Boy Who Shed His Skin” or “Land of Plenty” but also on their website, where each album purchase also covers the cost of a meal at the Rescue Mission of Syracuse. Liner notes to the album include info about other charities the band supports.

they do a bang up job of mixing pop, folk, country and rock into their own brand of Americana. Best of all, there is a humanity to their music which lifts the songs and performances a step above some of the more designed by committee bands who're trying to plough a similar furrow. One worth investigating

Huh. Turns out The Redemption Center is the latest adventure that Jesse Sprinkle has become a part of. If you don’t recognize the name, you should. He’s worked with the likes of Poor Old Lu, Demon Hunter, Dead Poetic, Morella’s Forest, and many other bands (usually doing percussion). Land of Plenty is a departure from most of what he’s done in the past as he dives in with the rest of The Redemption Center in creating jangly, country inspired rock. It’s very laid back, easy-going, and slightly melancholy country rock that you wouldn’t have too hard of a time getting into on a fall day in the Midwest. It has that county (geographical, not musical) feel to it that creates a sense of normal, small town simplicity.

There are bands that have a timeless quality to their music, and there are bands that are clearly tethered to a certain generation. The Redemption Center is a band that strikes a balance between the two, being both timeless and timely. The music, a mix between the jangle pop of the Gin Blossoms and country twang of Ryan Adams, makes for interesting results on Land of Plenty.

"One word to describe the debut album Land of Plenty from The Redemption Center is full. It’s got a little bit of everything, from honky-tonk to Americana and alt-rock instrumentals that all comes packaged with the same nostalgia of a weathered family Bible. Although far from perfect, the record has inherent richness that makes it unique"

"a punchy collection of Americana tunes that is simply a lot of fun to listen to. Smith and Sprinkle have assembled a fine collection of musicians around them and sound perfectly comfortable singing and playing together."

"De licht verteerbare, goed in het gehoor liggende rootsy rocknummers doen vanaf The Boy Shed His Skin al flink de gevoelstemperatuur van de luisteraar stijgen. Alle remmen gaan pas echt volledig los met de aanstekelijke, potentiële radiohit  Land Of Plenty. De kop is er af."

Translation:

"The easy going, pleasant songs filled with roots and rock sounds ensure that the listener’s temperature heats up rapidly once "The Boy From His Shed Skin" has started. It really goes down with the catchy radio hit potential "Land of Plenty". Let’s get lose!"

"The new record 'Land Of Plenty' is an instantly engaging blend of gritty hooks, intelligent lyrics and heartfelt vocals. Smith's soulful song-craft is a great addition to the roots rock world and fans of Steve Earle and the Vigilantes Of Love are sure to be pleased."

Of Land of Plenty’s 12 tracks, those that incorporate a country flavor, or display creativity in their blend of country and rock, are the most intriguing and enjoyable. It is The Redemption Center’s ability to use both genres to communicate about highly relatable life themes that makes them more interesting than just another generic rock or country band.

"The Redemption Center breathes new vitality into "Heartland Rock", aided by effective and lively playing which sustains the intensity that the form requires. Add to this some compelling and sneakily uplifting lyrics delivered with a distinctive voice that oozes personality and you get music that you'll want to go back to again and again."

"Nice work, and no surprise. I'm already a fan of "The Boy Who Shed His Skin", a song that can easily stand comparison with the work of Mark Heard or T-Bone Burnett!The lyrics are thoughtful and manage to be complex without being unwieldy. "

"An amalgam of rock,gospel,roots and folk. Rural but not Country. Lyrically intelligent, musically relevant.Looking ahead while tipping the hat to earlier influences.This music would fit comfortable in the Americana genre, if not for the pop and rock seasoning."