For well over a decade Ben Harper has been pushing the boundaries of music. He regularly experiments with genres and styles, all the while, bringing his own signature soulful sound to the mix. In 2007 Ben hooked up with his longtime band, the Innocent Criminals, and released “Lifeline”. This album comes on the heels of his brilliant 2006 double album “Both Sides of A Gun,” which was edgy, political, and very much right in your face. In contrast, Lifeline is a more soulful, melodic, uplifting album — and perhaps even more brilliant that its predecessor. The album evokes warm sounds of Ray Charles, the 70’s era Rolling Stones, the Black Crowes, Van Morrison, and Otis Redding. In typical Ben Harper form, the lyrics are brilliant and meaningful, the arrangements are exceptional, and the songs are creative, catchy, and inspirational. I have used the album’s first track “Fight Outta You” to pull me out of many an early morning funk. There is a great lyric in the chorus of that song that really speaks to me “I would rather take your punch, than not give you a shot… I’d rather find out who you are than who you’re not.” This one is well worth the 12 bucks. Was this one of your favorites of 2007? What other albums, songs or books moved you and why?
The Official Ben Harper Website : Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals