Ben Harper seized the momentum his band the Innocent Criminals built up on the road in the first part of 2007 and bottled it up on this live-in-the-studio collection of all new jams.
"Fight Outta You," is a soulful, get up, stand up anthem. In fact, soul is a kind of operative word on this project. Harper is in good voice on "In the Colors," but throughout, the spotlight is on the Innocent Criminals who laid down their tracks simply in a matter of days. Harper's picture doesn't even appear on the album's booklet; the disc is a showcase for the band as much as it is for him.
"Fool For A Lonesome Train," with its harmonica whistle blow and slightly folkie guitar is the kind of tune on which Harper has made his name and expanded his audiences on the jam band circuit. Nice. "Needed You Tonight" is an explosion of psychedelic soul, in the mold of something from the great soul/rock era of Muscle Shoals and Capricorn Records. "Having Wings" spreads out over an expansive melody and poignant lyric about flying all the way home.
"Say You Will" fits into the funky old school, with its background vocalists and party feeling going on. "Younger Than Today" is a ballad which demonstrates Harper's abilities with Beatlesque melody stylings and surreal lyrical musings.
"Put It On Me" flexes some of that Criminal endurance muscle. The band could riff all day and night on this kind of stuff and they shine as does Harper for that matter who can sing about salvation -- flesh and bone variety -- for as long as the nights are dark and the days are long.
"Heart of Matters" takes an old doo wop-type melody and brings it on home. As "Paris Sunset No. 7" (with an intro that sounds like an homage to sitarist Ravi Shankar) segues into "Lifeline," two solo acoustic tracks by Harper, one is reminded of how accomplished he is as a folk guitarist -- it's how he first started playing and recording music. Perhaps someday he'll cut an entire album in this intimate style. Till then though, the Innocent Criminals will continue to travel the world as their fearless leader rocks on.
By Danielle Santiago
