the new Ben Harper album (White Lies For Dark Times) rocks!!

zybar · « **on:** 7 May 2009, 08:00 pm »

For this new album, Ben has taken a temporary hiatus from his previous band the Innocent Criminals (who kick ass!!) and went with a trio from Austin, TX called Relentless7. So what does that mean?

It means a fiery, balls to the wall, rock/blues album that captures Ben Harper in a very different way from his previous studio albums.

I have listened to "White Lies For Dark Times" a few times from start to finish and honestly can't find a bad song out of the 11 cuts.

Rather than try to write a formal review, I think what Thom Jurek wrote on allmusic.com nails it:

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fxfexzu0ldae~T1

So whether you are a Ben Harper or a blues/rock fan, I highly recommend this album.

George

santacore · « **Reply #1 on:** 7 May 2009, 08:07 pm »

Agreed George! I picked it on Tuesday and have run through it a few times. Another solid offering from Ben in a slightly different style. He continues to amaze me year after year.

mcullinan · « **Reply #2 on:** 7 May 2009, 08:08 pm »

CAnt wait to pick it up!!!
Mike

ricmon · « **Reply #3 on:** 7 May 2009, 08:31 pm »

Quote from: zybar on 7 May 2009, 08:00 pm

For this new album, Ben has taken a temporary hiatus from his previous band the Innocent Criminals (who kick ass!!) and went with a trio from Austin, TX called Relentless7. So what does that mean?

It means a fiery, balls to the wall, rock/blues album that captures Ben Harper in a very different way from his previous studio albums.

I have listened to "White Lies For Dark Times" a few times from start to finish and honestly can't find a bad song out of the 11 cuts.

Rather than try to write a formal review, I think what Thom Jurek wrote on allmusic.com nails it:

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fxfexzu0ldae~T1

So whether you are a Ben Harper or a blues/rock fan, I highly recommend this album.

George

I just saw this band last Friday at the Beal Street Music Festival and yes they kicked some serious ass.

I was very impressed. I just hope there is a vinyl version.

Ric

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #4 on:** 7 May 2009, 09:16 pm »

Ben is (at least) half-deity

Thx George...I didn't know he had a new album until now....

John

2bigears · « **Reply #5 on:** 7 May 2009, 10:24 pm »

how long has this been out ?? i think the guy is a very big talent,the dude is gooooddddd.....

jermmd · « **Reply #6 on:** 7 May 2009, 10:38 pm »

I didn't know about the new album either. I love Ben Harper and I trust George's taste in music (he actually first introduced me to B.H.). I'm going to pick this album up today or tomorrow.

mcullinan · « **Reply #7 on:** 7 May 2009, 10:40 pm »

Just picked it up and listened on the way home from work... Great stuff! And a really good recording. Love his voice with the guitar!
Mike

Edit: Its a great album, but the recording quality is just ok. Things get a bit dicey on the high end and when there are a lot of things going on it gets a bit gumbles and chaotic. Not the music but the recording. Of course this is from listening to the album in my car and not my main system.
Mike

zybar · « **Reply #8 on:** 7 May 2009, 10:53 pm »

Quote from: 2bigears on 7 May 2009, 10:24 pm

how long has this been out ?? i think the guy is a very big talent,the dude is gooooddddd.....

Since Tuesday.

George

baumer · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 May 2009, 09:54 pm »

Yet another great Ben Harper album. Between this and a new Wilco album coming out soon,
it's already a great year!

bpape · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 May 2009, 01:39 am »

Haven't heard this one yet. Have to go check it out.

Bryan

2bigears · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 May 2009, 02:51 am »

his deluxe version tells you he blew his voice box singing so hard.Ben thought he was in trouble.glad he healed well.he is a hard worker and loves the music life.

Airborn · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 May 2009, 05:30 am »

Yes, great CD. Highly recommended if you like strong Blues/Rock or are a Ben Harper fan at all.

satfrat · « **Reply #13 on:** 25 May 2009, 08:15 am »

I just downloading this album a few days ago, before I saw this thread. i like this new blues/rock group that Harper has tied in with. I hope he does another album with Relentless7 for sure.

Cheers,
Robin

Rocket · « **Reply #14 on:** 25 May 2009, 09:59 am »

Hi Guys,

So can anyone tell me whether this album is well recorded or not?

Quote

Edit: Its a great album, but the recording quality is just ok. Things get a bit dicey on the high end and when there are a lot of things going on it gets a bit gumbles and chaotic. Not the music but the recording. Of course this is from listening to the album in my car and not my main system.
Mike
? Last Edit: May 21, 2009, 10:46:28 AM by mcullinan ?
Logged

Thanks Rod

zybar · « **Reply #15 on:** 25 May 2009, 11:54 am »

Quote from: mcullinan on 7 May 2009, 10:40 pm

Just picked it up and listened on the way home from work... Great stuff! And a really good recording. Love his voice with the guitar!
Mike

Edit: Its a great album, but the recording quality is just ok. Things get a bit dicey on the high end and when there are a lot of things going on it gets a bit gumbles and chaotic. Not the music but the recording. Of course this is from listening to the album in my car and not my main system.
Mike

I don't find this to be the case in my main 2 channel system.

Mike, not sure of what your car system is, but I know mine is not where I judge the quality of any recording.

George

mcullinan · « **Reply #16 on:** 26 May 2009, 02:21 am »

Quote from: zybar on 25 May 2009, 11:54 am

Quote from: mcullinan on 7 May 2009, 10:40 pm
Just picked it up and listened on the way home from work... Great stuff! And a really good recording. Love his voice with the guitar!
Mike

Edit: Its a great album, but the recording quality is just ok. Things get a bit dicey on the high end and when there are a lot of things going on it gets a bit gumbles and chaotic. Not the music but the recording. Of course this is from listening to the album in my car and not my main system.
Mike

I don't find this to be the case in my main 2 channel system.

Mike, not sure of what your car system is, but I know mine is not where I judge the quality of any recording.

George

No for sure... I checked it and it sounds fine at home. It could be my head unit, amp speakers... About a tenth of what I put into my system at home. I guess I cant expect everything..
Mike

Rocket · « **Reply #17 on:** 2 Jun 2009, 09:57 am »

Hi Guys,

I bought this album last week.

The Australian version is compressed. It sounds fine on my car system but not that good on my home system. Its hard to find really good recordings these days.

Quote

Edit: Its a great album, but the recording quality is just ok. Things get a bit dicey on the high end and when there are a lot of things going on it gets a bit gumbles and chaotic. Not the music but the recording. Of course this is from listening to the album in my car and not my main system.
Mike

Regards

Rod

mcullinan · « **Reply #18 on:** 2 Jun 2009, 01:57 pm »

Quote from: Rocket on 2 Jun 2009, 09:57 am

Hi Guys,

I bought this album last week.

The Australian version is compressed. It sounds fine on my car system but not that good on my home system. Its hard to find really good recordings these days.

Quote
Edit: Its a great album, but the recording quality is just ok. Things get a bit dicey on the high end and when there are a lot of things going on it gets a bit gumbles and chaotic. Not the music but the recording. Of course this is from listening to the album in my car and not my main system.
Mike

Regards

Rod

Its not up to the usual Ben Harper recording quality... Would you say theres compression on the top end of the sound spectrum?
Mike

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 Jul 2009, 07:05 pm »

Quote from: Rocket on 2 Jun 2009, 09:57 am

Hi Guys,

I bought this album last week.

The Australian version is compressed here. It sounds fine on my car system but not that good on my home system. Its hard to find really good recordings these days.

Regards

Rod

It's terribly compressed here in US, too, Rod...quite a stunning change from prior efforts. There probably is some decent music on it, but I cannot get passed how lousy the recording is

TOTALLY crappy.

I bought the 2LP album for $26 from my local retailer, not the CD, btw.

Price not even considered - it blows. It's not worth even $5 with this recording quality.

Big letdown

John