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.

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 from rock, soul, funk, R&B, gospal, and even bluegrass over a course of an album and it never sounds forced or chessy.
Lifeline is a fantastic album. "Into the Colors" is a great first single and the album is packed with great tracks throuhout. If you are a Ben Harper fan then you will not be disappointed with this purchase. This is one of the best albums in the music industry over the past few years.

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 collaborations with different backing bands for entire albums), but the songs on that album were a little TOO different from one another. Thankfully, things flow more smoothly on Lifeline.

Ben hooked back up with the Innocent Criminals this time around, and it's a good thing he did because the songs are excellent. Well, actually, the album's opener "Fight Outta You" has him singing in a very unorthodoxly low voice, but if you skip past that, you'll find quality in tunes like "Fool for a Lonesome Train", "Heart of Matters" and "Younger Than Today". And although "Needed You Tonight" isn't spiritual, the vocals still take me back to the There Will Be a Light days.

The instrumental track "Paris Sunrise #7" is also good, even better when it successfully flows into the title track. You won't need a lifeline to help you find great music after hearing this album, so check it out.

Anthony Rupert

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.

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.