Featured Release: Ben Harper and Relentless 7, White Lies for Dark Times
Virgin 2 64786 2
Format: CD

Musical Performance
Sound Quality
Overall Enjoyment

We all know what it’s like to need a change: the nagging sense that you’re stuck in a rut, the obvious signs of complacency. Ben Harper has released nine albums in 15 years, and while his early streak was white-hot, his more recent efforts have seemed the work of someone merely going through the motions. Never fear, faithful fans: two years after releasing Lifeline with his band the Innocent Criminals, Harper has apparently thrown himself a lifeline of his own and managed to rescue his creative vitality.

White Lies for Dark Times reveals Harper’s new band, Relentless 7, on a foray into notably grittier rock than might be expected from the folksy singer-songwriter who inspired many of today’s pop balladeers, such as Jack Johnson and Xavier Rudd. The "7" comprise three Texas musicians: guitarist Jason Mozersky, bassist Jesse Ingalls, and drummer Jordan Richardson. The three previously worked with Harper and the Innocent Criminals, nominally contributing to two tracks on Both Sides of the Gun (2006). Here they ease into the role of "brand-new band" -- though Harper says the Criminals haven’t broken up, but are merely taking a break. Mozersky, especially, is a major contributor, cowriting most of the songs with Harper, and leading the charge with his electric-guitar work. At times, in fact, the band outshines Harper himself, whose lyrics wither under the blazing anthemic rock of such tracks as the unfortunately if appropriately named "Keep It Together (So I Can Fall Apart)."

But for the most part here, the chemistry works. Despite the occasional forced rhyme, Harper can wail, and steps up to the mike with as much attitude as Prince. "Up to You Now," "Skin Thin," and "Faithfully Remain" are emotionally raw ballads with potently poetic lyrics, while most of the remaining eight tracks quicken the pulse with blaring rock riffs that set White Lies apart from Harper’s previous records. The first single, "Shimmer & Shine," is a lively pop tune with a bit of grit, and accurately represents the album’s overall feel.

On most tracks, the mastering succeeds in keeping the instruments, which push sonically to the fore, from drowning out the vocals. A few songs, such as "Boots Like These," sound intentionally muddy and distorted, suggesting the influence of Pink Floyd. The packaging is graphically pleasing, with an aura of psychedelic noir, and the album is also available in a Deluxe CD/DVD edition for those who want to see the wizards behind the curtain. Whether you’ve been unimpressed by Harper’s last few efforts or are a diehard fan, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by White Lies for Dark Times; it’s fond, familiar, authentic Ben Harper, with invigorating injections of the lifeblood known as rock’n’roll.

. . . Shannon Holliday