| Redemption City | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Joseph Arthur |
| Cover: | Redemption city cover.png |
| Released: | January 18, 2012 |
| Recorded: | 2009–2011 |
| Genre: | Alternative rock, folk rock |
| Label: | Self-released |
| Producer: | Joseph Arthur |
| Chronology: | Joseph Arthur |
| Prev Title: | The Graduation Ceremony |
| Prev Year: | 2011 |
| Next Title: | The Ballad of Boogie Christ |
| Next Year: | 2013 |
Redemption City is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur, self-released as a digital download on January 18, 2012.[1] A double album, fans were given the option to download the release for free, or make a donation. A limited vinyl release is available to purchase from Arthur's official site.[2] Regarding the album's unconventional and immediate release following its completion, Arthur stated, "Please don’t take the method, or the freedom, of this release to be any judgment on its value. [...] It's great to take advantage of what the internet is actually good at - immediacy. This is the first time I've released something while still inhabiting its space."[3]
Arthur began working on Redemption City in 2009, often abandoning the project, then returning to it; building a recording studio in Brooklyn for the sole purpose of recording the album, and performing each instrument on the album himself.
Upon the album's release, Arthur included a note online discussing the album's title, stating, "Around the time I was putting out Redemption's Son (2002), I met Peter Beard in Montauk. [...] One night I told Peter the name of my record that wasabout to come out, "Redemption’s Son," I said. "Too religious," he said. He was probably right but that’s what it was called, though it wasn’t out yet. The next day he said, “I thought of a better title for you.” I asked, “What?” He paused for drama and then said, Redemption City. 9/11 had just happened, it was a crazy title and I instantly liked it better than Redemption’s Son, but it was too late, that record was already on its way to stores. But I held onto that title. [...] A few years ago I set about making it. The record inspired by the title. What would a city of redemption sound like? What kind of characters would inhabit it?"[3]