Ben Harper

Ben Harper's Both Sides of the Gun was vigorous, guitar-powered and boldly political. On Lifeline, he switches his stance from socially-conscious to self-conscious, plastering his heart on his sleeve with less rock and more soul. Backing jam band the Innocent Criminals are natural complements to whatever direction Harper tilts, whether it be a bluesy slow-burner, a lonely lilting lullaby or a feel-good paean to the simplest of pleasures. He may yearn to be "Younger Than Today," but with this LP, Harper proves to be aging well.

On paper, it reads like a self-conscious exercise in antique cool and classic-rock
righteousness. Singer-guitarist-songwriter Ben Harper and his band the Innocent Criminals
-- guitarist Michael Ward, bassist Juan Nelson, keyboard player Jason Yates, drummer
Oliver Charles and percussionist Leon Mobley -- recorded the eleven songs on Lifeline,
Harper's eighth studio album, live in a Paris studio, straight to analog tape, in sev... More >