Ben Harper - Diamonds on the Inside

There are some bands/artists/people who have great "voices". And by voices I mean that they have something to say, something to convey, and they are so original about it that whenever they have something to relay to their audience, it's somehow important or large or obvious or meaningful. People like Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell- You can fill in your own list. The point is, these people are traiblazers and so original and alive that their message, be it just a bassline or a lyric, is powerful. Copying these people's formulas, however, may make a good album in terms of craft, but not in terms of importance. Ben Harper used to have wise, shaman-istic things to say. He used to have a really rocking, slide-guitar spiritual style that made you wanna move, made you want to change something ("Fight For Your Mind", "Excuse Me Mister", "Faded"), or at least made you feel some real nasty, don't-want-to-stay-here emotions ("Another Lonely Day"). But now Ben has mellowed, now Ben has gotten bitten by the Biblical snake- And that's not bad for him, but it appears to be not so beneficial to his music, because it's gotten a bit preachy ("Amen Omen", "Blessed to Be A Witness") a bit slow-waltz falsetto ("When She Believes"). "Diamonds on the Inside", the title track, is pretty hummable, but it's nothing like the booming meaningful stuff of the Harper of yore. While the better songs on the album are jammin', to reach back to words I used to describe the first time I saw Ben Harper live, they're, well, not really that original. "Brown Eyed Blues" is rad with the wah-pedal, but it sounds like Parliment, and while "Temporary Remedy" rocks the CD off its otherwise sleepy bed, it sounds like B.B. King crossed with Black Crowes. "With My Own Two Hands" has some of the most self-propelling lyrics, but it sounds like Marley, and Bring the Funk" sounds like Stevie Wonder. Point: It's great to pay homage to your predecessors, but when you sound like them too much, it's no longer your music or even good music necessarily. Ben Harper's a great musician, he's got a terrific vibe, and he puts on a wonderful live show. He seems like a nice guy, a genuine good spirit. But, sadly, that doesn't redeem Diamonds on the Inside. When your most spiritual song, "Picture of Jesus" is earnest but reminds your listeners of a Lifesavers commercial, you need to find some ingenuity. Harper's sincere and talented, but this album really doesn't break the mold he previously made for himself. [www.benharper.net]