ben harper

[elliseamos]

Same. Always enjoyed his shows.

[liebzz]

Currently listening to Wide Open Light. Very different from last year’s album, but that’s sort of par for the course for Ben. This is more of a folk/acoustic album. Mostly just Ben and his guitars and a few friends along the way. Reminiscent in some ways of the solo acoustic sets he would do in the middle of his shows years ago. He’s not writing at that level anymore sadly, but there’s some gems in here - almost an alternating between songs I really like and songs that are just kinda there. Giving Ghosts, 8 Minutes, Trying Not to Fall in Love With You (a piano stomp - nice twist), and One More Change are all pretty good. Yard Sale is straight bad but other than that, everything is at least good so far - I have 2 more songs to go.

[zeb]

Harper's voice is such a time machine for me, but I haven't really connected with his work for a long time, maybe since 2010 or so.

Just listened to Giving Ghosts, it was surprisingly touching.

[liebzz]

The last two were good too. It’s not groundbreaking all in all, nor does it compare with his first 3-4 albums, but it’s a good album.

[zeb]

I don't know if it was me or him but most of his new stuff after those first four records was either dull or overwrought.

[liebzz]

I don't know if it was me or him but most of his new stuff after those first four records was either dull or overwrought.

I mostly agree. He’s had good albums, but he went through a long phase where he wanted to be a Jack of all trades so badly that none of it seemed to quite fit even if he had some great songs in there. Yet live he has always been phenomenal.

[Buby]

Haven't given the new one a listen yet.
Just here to say "Shimmer & Shine" is a gem.