Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: Aggielife

Media Credit: File - The Battalion Ben Harper [Click to enlarge]

Slide guitarist, singer and songwriter Ben Harper and his band the Innocent Criminals dropped their eighth studio album Lifeline, from Virgin Records. The album is a fantastic blend of blues, rock and folk. It's the perfect album for long road trips on beautiful days through the American countryside.

Lifeline, which was recorded in only one week in Paris, is simple and straightforward, yet incredibly powerful and confident. Harper chose to record straight to analog tape instead of perfecting each track digitally. For many artists this would be risky, but Harper pulls it off seamlessly.

The opening track "Fight Outta You" starts the album with wise lyrics about not giving up the fight. Lines like "There's always someone younger, someone with more hunger. Don't let it take the fight outta you," and "They'll say you're one and only then straight up leave you lonely. Don't let it take the fight outta you," sound like lessons Harper has learned from being in the music business.

Harper's slide guitar solo "Paris Sunset #7" is instrumental poetry and leads beautifully into the last track, "Lifeline," the album's title track. "Lifeline" is another Harper solo, but with vocals is an equally beautiful track that shows off Harper's distinctive voice.

In between "Fight Outta You" and "Lifeline," there are several equally noteworthy songs. "Fool For a Lonesome Train," "Having Wings," "Say You Will" and "Put it on Me" are all quality. Interestingly, in "Needed You Tonight," Harper sings, "Violin is my instrument of choice, it recognizes the pain in my voice." Although it captures the bluesy tone of the album, this line sort of leaves his faithful slide guitar out to dry.

To get a free listen of full length tracks, head over to Rhapsody online. After downloading the free media player, music lovers can enjoy tracks from Harper and other artists free. Fans can also catch Harper live at the Majestic Theatre in Dallas on Nov. 5 with opener Donavon Frankenreiter.

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