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There is little that could be said about Ben Harper that hasn't
been said before. Sometime in the 90's he came along with his highly
soulful vocal style to take the place that we lost when Lenny Kravitz
went just a bit off the deep end. Harper has always been a bit
bluesy and a little bit folky, but always very honest and passionate
in his songwriting and delivery. Both Sides Of The Gun is no
different from that precedent, but finds Ben Harper rounding out his
songwriting into an even more involved and personal style.
Both Sides Of The Gun is split into two CDs, each one with
it's own distinctive personality. Disc one is made up of the more
tender, thoughtful songs , while disc two's songs rock out a bit more,
presenting outrage and disillusionment. "Morning Yearning"
is a beautiful track, and typifies the type of song on disc one. The
song is a fleshed out acoustic track, with strings and light piano
setting the mood for the yearning vocals. "Waiting For You"
is another slow number, thick with strings and amorous melodies, that
is perfect for reflection on life and love. By the time the drums
of "Sweet Nothing Serenade" start in, they seem to be almost
out of place among these tranquil songs, but the light acoustic blues
of the lead guitar sets a nice tone for this instrumental song. The
tender apology of "More Than Sorry" nicely rounds out the
somberly soft feel of disc one.
Right out of the gate, disc two steps the pace up quite a bit with
the energetic frenzy of "Better Way". Different from the
radio edit, the album track has a bridge section that finds Ben Harper
screaming along - somewhat reminiscent of the Spongmonkeys
- weirdly offsetting the eastern flair of the music as it falls apart
in a tangle of sound. "Engraved Invitation" has an almost
AC/DC quality, crunchy guitars and a deliberate rhythm that
recalls that classic heavy rock, but with more melodic accents…
and a wailing guitar solo, to top it off. By the time "Black
Rain" starts with its wah-wah guitar, it is hardly a surprise
that R'n'B has found its way into Harper's musical vocabulary. This
track could have been lifted off Stevie Wonder's Original
Musiquarium record... it has the same excellently layered sound
qualities and sharp rhythmic melodies, the exception is its distinctive
Ben Harper vocals. "Please Don't Talk About Murder While I'm
Eating" kicks in with enough of a stomp rhythm and twangy guitars
to sound almost country, but retains the distinctive loose blues vibe
for which Harper has long been known. As the natural progression,
"Get It Like You Like It" sounds almost like early Rolling
Stones, filled with crisp borrowed-bluesy guitar riffs and thick
harmony vocals over a honky tonk piano line.
Ben Harper continues to impress with his songwriting and emotive
discourse on Both Sides Of The Gun. The album is filled with
meaningful and personal songs that are presented in such varied musical
backdrops so as never to become dull. The dual disc format really
showcases the musical and writing abilities, as well as the simple
versatility of Ben Harper's songs.
-L. Keane
Disc: 1
1. Morning Yearning
2. Waiting For You
3. Picture In A Frame
4. Never Leave Lonely Alone
5. Sweet Nothing Serenade
6. Reason To Mourn
7. More Than Sorry
8. Cryin' Won't Help You Now
9. Happy Everafter In Your Eyes
10.
Disc: 2
1. Better Way
2. Both Sides Of The Gun
3. Engraved Invitation
4. Black Rain
5. Gather 'Round The Stone
6. Please Don't Talk About Murder While I'm Eating
7. Get It Like You Like It
8. The Way You Found Me
9. Serve Your Soul
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