Artist: Ben Harper and Relentless 7
Album: White Lies for Dark Times
Worth Buying: Yes, even if there where a few tracks that (for me) slowed down the albums momentum.
You will be interested in this album if you are fan of: Blues, Blues Rock, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin.
Tell Me More: This album is my introduction to Mr Harper and his band. I was first exposed to them via the Sundance channel's Live at Abbey Road series, which led me to checking out this latest album. For the record: Ben Harper and Relentless 7 have cooked up some very dark blues rock that has hints of Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin mixed in. It is within this style of Blistering Blues Rock that the band really fires it's thrusters on full, and when their music really grabs ahold and captures me. It is only on two slower tracks that come at the midway point that I felt like album lost me for a bit.
I remember playing in a Funk/Rock outfit. We had the upbeat Funk/Rock part of it down, but we had a hard time trying to figure out what our version of a ballad would sound like. And I think that that is what Ben Harper and Relentless 7 are still figuring out. Or perhaps that is what they have figured since the album closes with a ballad entitled Faithfully Remain, and this song (for me) works as well as their rockers.
What about the packaging? Top score on the packaging. The Cd is beatifully packaged in a gatefold mini LP sleeve. That features gorgeous artwork on the outside and inside. It also come with a nice lyrics booklet that is easy to read and also illustrated.
Listen to samples and buy as mp3 (most affordable option)
Get the album on CD
Deluxe CD with DVD
On Vinyl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2THeiRAFq0U
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