mp3: Retribution Gospel Choir – “Hide It Away”
While Retribution Gospel Choir’s second album doesn’t stray too far from their debut, 2 is less downtrodden in its musical delivery and “cleaner” sonically than its predecessor. Sun Kil Moon’s Mark Kozelek, an original member of the band in its touring infancy, produced the debut in lo-fi glory. On 2, Eric Swanson recorded the sessions with Matt Beckley mixing. Beckley is best known for producing such mega-stars as Leona Lewis and Avril Lavigne, but his duties are most likely what gives 2 its sonic punch.
There are a lot of foot stompers on 2, the kind of songs that made the band’s debut so great. Songs such as “White Wolf”, “Workin’ Hard” and “Hide It Away” rock hard and the track “Electric Guitar” is a sludgy throwback to grunge. All in all, 2 underlines what this Duluth, MN band do best and cranks up the volume a little higher from their debut.
Retribution Gospel Choir will perform at the Hideout in Chicago on February 19th. For more information, visit the Hideout’s website.
