| Lifeline | 
 enlarge | List Price: $18.98
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 38 reviews)
Sales Rank: 2230
Category: Music
Artist: Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals
Publisher: Virgin Records Us
Studio: Virgin Records Us
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
Label: Virgin Records Us
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
MPN: 93385
UPC: 094639338528
EAN: 0094639338528
ASIN: B000RMQH30
Release Date: August 28, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Fight Outta You | | • | In the Colors | | • | Fool for a Lonesome Train | | • | Needed You Tonight | | • | Having Wings | | • | Say You Will | | • | Younger Than Today | | • | Put It on Me | | • | Heart of Matters | | • | Paris Sunrise #7 [Instrumental] | | • | Lifeline |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
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.
Amazon.com
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 Innocent 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 Today," 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 Holte Ben Harper Photos 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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| Customer Reviews: Read 33 more reviews...
 The Innocent Criminals Go Out With A Bang! May 25, 2009
Lifeline is, at least for now, Ben Harper's last recording with The Innocent Criminals, but this ensemble certainly gives a good account of themselves. Lifeline is an acoustic leaning effort that is for the most part upbeat and fun. It gets off to a great start with "Fight Outta You" with its acoustic groove and message of encouragement - "They'll look you in the eyes and stone you/Then turn and disown you/Don't let 'em take the fight outta you". While it may seem odd to associate acoustic with energy, this song combines them nonetheless. However, don't expect to stay at a fevered pitch for the entire CD. "In The Colors" immediately dials things down to a much more mellow song to someone that Harper wants to "Dance with me into the colors of the dusk". Harper also delivers some clever lyrics on "Say You Will". I loved the second verse "Like Marie Antoinette said to Louis XVI/Man I think we're going down./Our chances are slim and none/And I'm afraid slim just left town". Even the songs that aren't as upbeat such as "Fool For A Lonesome Train" and the instrumental "Lifeline" are still done in a way that is neither brooding nor self-absorbed. There really isn't a bad song on the CD. So, if you're looking for acoustic jams, clever lyrics, and an overall positive vibe, give Lifeline a try. I think you'll like it.
Download this: Fight Outta You
 Uninspired, flat, lacking dynamics April 7, 2009
Clearly I'm alone on this Amazon forum in the opinion that this is by far his least interesting album, and I'm a BH completest. I even have his phenomenal 'Pleasure and Pain' acoustic album with Tom Freund (which songs later surfaced on 'Welcome..' ) I've enjoyed his sonic palate experimentation on 'Both Sides' and the eclectic nature of all of his albums, but this one is just a boring construction that sounds like a pale tribute to 'The Band'. Gone are the Biting Sardonic lyrics of the past, (only the first track even hints at the greatness that was 'Fight For Your Mind' or 'Don't Take That Attitude..' ) Gone are the Weissborn fireworks that were so unique to his sound, the solos are simplistic and boring. The lyrics are trite and unoriginal. Even his instrumental, 'Paris Sunrise 7' is by far his least interesting acoustic instrumental ever. This album is like some irritating imitation of Neil Young and The Band with lyrics on par with a fifteen year old's love poems..'Needed you Tonight' has the most promise of rocking, until you realize the Black Crowes did this song 15 years ago.. 'Put it On Me' is another knockoff of 'Steal My Kisses' at a slightly faster tempo, and most of these songs sound like the slow dance songs at a 1995 high school prom. (Heart of Matters actually brings to mind 'Lights' by Journey)
Too Much Piano, Too Little Fire, No great guitar solos, quite disappointing and a MAJOR snoozer.
Great album, not all studio retouched, just good music! March 27, 2009
I like the fact that this is just good honest music, not studio retouched. This is the first Ben Harper album I have ever bought and now want to buy more!
Love every song February 15, 2009
I've loved Ben Harper for any years, but this album surpasses all of his previous work. Every song hits a special place in me. Thank you Ben for singing with your whole self, giving it all you have....it really shows through in your work.
9 months of touring, 1 week of recording, no pro tools January 13, 2009
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
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.
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