Lifeline
Eight albums in just over a dozen years: validation that Ben Harper--mind or body--rarely rests, be it on the road with backing jam band the Criminals or buried in a studio, where the gifted singer-songwriter lays down his brand of peace-chanting, love-tilting music. His latest is lighter on the rock, with a greater emphasis on gospel, blues, and deeply burning soul. Harper isn't concerned about letting listeners inside that soul, confessing in the title track, "I don't want to wait a lifetime/Yours or mine." The solo acoustic closer is classic wear-your-heart-on-your-sleeve, a trait that seems to drift in and out of songs like the ominous ballad "Younger than Yesterday," which remembers earlier days being better days, or its mood-opposite "Say You Will," where the exultance of a flamboyant piano and gospel backing vocals offset cheesy lines such as "love you like a candle loves a flame." The latter is a standout, along with the bluesy opener "Fight Outta You"; the island-splashed "In the Colors," which recalls early-'70s Van Morrison; and "Put It on Me," with its brilliant lyric, "She cuts cherry pie when she looks you in the eye." All eyes, as his legion builds, are on Ben Harper. All ears, too. --Scott Holter
At the end of a nine month European tour, Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals landed in a Paris recording studio and completed their new album, Lifeline, in just seven days. The result: a soulful masterpiece with beautifully direct lyrics, undeniable grooves and an effortless energy that recalls the best works of Otis Redding, Bill Withers and Beggars Banquet-era Rolling Stones. Yeah...it's that good.
It's no surprise that most bands today don't record albums live, straight to tape, in one room, no Pro Tools, no auto-tune. There are only a handful of modern artists that can pull it off. Since Ben & The Innocent Criminals were so musically connected after such a long tour, they entered the studio immediately. And on a sixteen track tape machine and one full week in the City of Lights, they successfully recorded and mixed an album that will sit alongside all of your old favorites...just like a classic record should.
Ben Harper Photos
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More from Ben Harper
 Both Sides of the Gun |  Diamonds on the Inside |  Fight for Your Mind |
 Live at the Hollywood Bowl |  Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama: Live at the Apollo |  Pleasure & Pain |
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- UPC: 094639338528
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33 Reviews
| From: Amazon Posted: Jun 16, 2008 Type: User Review |
Another classic by Ben Harper
It seems like each and everyday Ben Harper's music continues to grow on me. I have known his music for a decade but didn't really become a fan until a couple of years ago. He is trully one of the most creative artists of his time. He can go...
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 5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Apr 06, 2008 Type: User Review |
4-1/2 stars -- Saved!
Perhaps I was a little harsh when I gave Ben Harper's last album Both Sides of the Gun a three-star rating. The problem I had with that album was that, well, I realize that Ben changes his style quite often (especially evident by sometimes doing...
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 4.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Mar 29, 2008 Type: User Review |
these guys are great
My friends introduced me to Ben Harper's remake of Sexual Healing, and his killer tune Steal My Kisses. This is the first CD I bought and it's upbeat and happy. I love it. I'm going to buy more.
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5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Mar 03, 2008 Type: User Review |
MODERN WITH A CLASSIC FEEL
I ABSOULTLEY LOVE THIS C.D. I HEAR THE INFLUENCE OF AL GREEN AND HINTS OF THE GREAT BOB DYLAN. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THIS C.D. BRINGS A MODERN SONG WITH A CLASSIC FEEL...I JUST LOVE IT WHEN THAT HAPPENS.
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5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Dec 23, 2007 Type: User Review |
Winner of MY FAVORITE CD OF THE YEAR
Okay, so I can't bestow a prize on Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals. But I would if I could! I loved this CD. It's in continual rotation on my CD player. I know all the songs by heart. And boy is my heart happy! Yes, I'm a fan, as anyone...
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5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Dec 13, 2007 Type: User Review |
Superb!
Ben & The Criminals have exceeded themselves. Richer, fuller sounds. Nice background vocals. Harmonies. All great. Song #1 ("Fight Outta You") is probably my least favorite, but after several listenings, I found that it's really the beginning...
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5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Dec 06, 2007 Type: User Review |
Finest Work in Ages
From beginning to end, I feel like this album is Ben's strongest in years. I love every single song equally for completely different reasons. There is so much variety here that I can listen to the album start to finish daily and not get tired of...
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5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Nov 16, 2007 Type: User Review |
More Good Retro Style
If you've been around for a while, these songs sound slightly familiar to 1970's combination of rock, blues, and soul music. But that shouldn't detract you too much from giving this CD a few good listens, before you make up your mind about it's...
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4.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Nov 02, 2007 Type: User Review |
Pretty good
I wanted to review this at 3 1/2 stars but it didn't work. My favorite songs are Having Wings, Lonesome Train and Younger Than Today. I always like Ben's prettier songs more than the rocking blues songs.
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 3.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Nov 02, 2007 Type: User Review |
Yeah Ben Harper! FANTASTIC!!!
We can't say enough about this CD--- absolutely Ben's best yet. A must have for any music lover any age!
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5.00/5 |
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