Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals Lifeline Grade: C+

Recording an album can be a long and nasty process. Maybe that's why blues guitar expert Ben Harper tried a new approach on his ninth album, Lifeline. Harper and his band, the Innocent Criminals, recorded the album in only seven days in Paris. They took basically one take for each song, recording onto analog tape with only a few overdubs and no computers or aid. This in part showcases the great musicianship of the Innocent Criminals. It also showcases the spirit of the band's live performance, since the album was basically recorded live. What results is a very classic rock experience, since this is a recording process used much more in the past. Like usual, the album shows the many sides of Harper, but strays away from his heavier and more bluesy material, which makes it slightly more narrow in scope. Lifeline is one of Harper's more focused records, but also one of his most mundane. \nLifeline is more on the bright side, containing some great grooves, resulting in a very feel-good record. Harper has always been someone who wears his influences on his sleeve, and this comes out perhaps the most on the opening track, "Fight Outta You," in which Harper's band sounds more like the Heartbreakers than the Innocent Criminals. Other tracks, such as "Put It On Me," ring of early Van Morrison. The album's ballads are a point of weakness, as songs like "Having Wings" and "Younger Than Today" are nowhere close to the quality ballads he has produced in the past. \nHarper sounds best in his soul guise, on songs such as "Say You Will" and "Put It On Me," which both include female vocals that greatly compliment Harper's soulful voice. The album closes up with Harper's token instrumental blues guitar track, "Paris Sunrise #7," which runs a little long, but eventually leads quite nicely into the gentle strum of the title track, "Lifeline." \nLyrically, Lifeline tends to be very safe, not pushing much into the political or spiritual boundaries he usually enters. Ultimately, it proves as a weaker album than his previous, Both Sides Of The Gun. You can tell these songs were written and recorded quickly while on the road, and many of the songs sound like B-sides off of 2003's Diamonds On The Inside. Ultimately, the basic lyrics and lack of memorable melodies take away from any longevity this album may have offered. After a few rather pleasant listens, Lifeline begins to lose its life support.