Ben Harper - Both Sides of the Gun
When I was first asked to do a review of Ben Harper’s Both Sides of the Gun, I got all little kid giddy. I’ve been a huge Ben Harper fan for a long time. The CDs arrived, I got even more excited. I knew that the album had been split into one more acoustic-minded, softer album and one more exciting, electric and unrefined album. From the outset, this kind of put me off. One of my favorite things about listening to a Ben Harper album is the way he brings me from the top of the world, down to the bottom, and back again two-or-three times before that triumphant final track. But this time I was left disappointed.
Harper said a while back that he didn’t like to be defined as one type of musician or another, that he didn’t want to be too political, singer/songwriter-ish, etc. But he completely neglects that proclamation
The first album, entitled Morning Yearning, is one that I would have to say was written for the ladies. Every woman I’ve played it for has taken off her pants right then and there. So for that, thank you, Ben. Unfortunately, though, there are no stand-out tracks. It’s good music, but relatively bland for the great Ben Harper. The title track might be the highlight, if it didn’t sound like every other great Ben single from the last 10 years.
The second album is a little more of the same. It’s…gritty. Harper calls the disc Better Way. It tends to invoke a live show where the musicians haven’t been practicing very long but have the potential to kick your ass if they got some new material. Or in the case of the Innocent Criminals: started playing their old material. One of the tracks, “Black Rain,” is Ben’s Hurricane Katrina rant; and from a Louisiana native, I can say thanks, but no thanks. We’ve heard enough and we really just want people to get over it. Especially if your best effort has to start with the lyrics, “You left them swimming for their lives down in New Orleans…” I know Ben’s got a better way than this.
I can’t say this is a terrible album, because I’m still listening to it. Although, I’m pretty sure that’s just due to my want to support Ben in all he does. I can say that this would be a great starter album if you wanted to find out what Ben Harper was all about and build up your collection from the bottom. Other than that, if you’re already familiar with Ben’s work, just let this one be. You’ll be happier for it.
Grade: B-
By: Gavin Robinson, resident hippy
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