Lifeline

It baffles me why Ben Harper doesn't receive more accolades than he does. He's one of the best singer-songwriters around. His performances are like vintage soul with new themes added to a timeless groove."Lifeline" could be it--the CD that actually gets him those awards. Til then, psst--you can say you liked Ben Harper early.Harper often traverses the whole emotional gamut in his music and "Lifeline" is no different. His opener, "Fight Outta You" could be a father's advice, a commencement speech, or just a pick-me-up on a bad day:it will be in your honor'til you're not needed any longerdon't believe the headlinescheck it for yourself sometimesthe lies you live become youthe love you lose it numbs youthey say that you've arrivedthat's just a high class bribedon't let them take the fightoutta you"In the Colors" is the hit from this CD if KGSR-Austin's playlist is any indication. It's another song that offers hope to the hopeless:when you again start hopingwith your arms wide opendance with me into the colorsof the duskIf you're a fool for train songs like I am, you're going to love "Fool For a Lonesome Train." You can almost hear the whistle in the rain.Several songs deal with lost love, including "Younger than Today.""Lifeline" has something for just about every mood and I can honestly say that most of the tracks stand out in one way or another. It's very hard for me to believe that Harper and the Innocent Criminals managed to record this CD in 7 days in Paris, but if anyone could, this talented group is the one!

I can't help myself Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals make me feel really chill. But this album rocks my world, because its pure. Its innovative with its humbleness.You can hear the tracks above, but the songwriting with Harper is always steller. the sleeve and lyrics are printed on 100% post consumer waste recycled paper.It was recorded as mentioned before in France, and so it fittingly has a beautiful instrumental tune called Paris Sunrise. This is, and I hesitate to say it, my favorite Ben Harper album.Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals never disappoint me - but I really like the feeling of this album.

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 who knows me is fully aware. This band's music speaks to me. Maybe it's because their sound is kind of retro, kind of today, kind of universal. I love all kinds of music, just so it moves me emotionally. The music and words of LIFELINE definitely do that. Was it nominated for a Grammy? If not, it SHOULD have been! As a couple of other reviewers have said: It's music to groove to. You rock, guys!

I've sort of lost interest in Ben Harper over the years, even though I was a raving fan a few years ago. I thought his music had become too formulaic and cliché. His first three albums are stellar...but I couldn't get into his new music. Then I saw reviews from Amazon members about how good this new album, Lifeline, is. I was skeptical at first, but I thought I would give it a try.Once the album arrived, I was pleasantly surprised with the eco-friendly packaging. The album is made from recycled paper, no plastics, and it uses low VOC inks. I opened it up and was disappointed that there were no pictures of Ben in the booklet. Please! I need to see pictures of Ben's hotness! There are only images of his band-mates.Anyway, the first few times I heard the album, I was luke-warm about it. It seemed overly simplistic and still cliché. I thought some songs could be Black Crowes or Neil Young songs. I especially don't like his low voice on the first track. But then the more I listened to it, the more I loved it. Ben is simplistic and simplicity is beautiful. His songs ring true and even the jingly little rifts are full of feeling. I finally can get behind this album and say it is a superb work. Just the fact that it is not digitally enhanced by pro-tools gives it an authenticity that I love. The only thing more I could have asked for would have been more of his beautiful weisenborn solos.

Overall a pretty solid effort from Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals. It has some excellent tracks such as Less, Say You Will and Heart of Matters are the strongest efforts on this disc in my opinion. If you do not get up and dance to Put it On Me then there is something wrong with you. Need You Tonight is just a soulful song and the title pretty much sums it up. As Ben pleads for the love of a woman.

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.Unfortunately Ben's voice is too loud on the title track Lifeline which drowns out the guitar part. It's also a bit too loud on the first song Fight Outta You. I think he produced it himself which might explain these obvious mistakes.

After 9 months of touringBH and the Innocent Criminals went to a studio in Paris and recorded this new album in seven days! No computers used. Just straight up good music.This is one to enjoy for years to come. Let's hope this album finally secures BH as a master of his craft. He has been pumping it out since 1992 and is still rolling right along.

one or two good songs