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Virgin
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals return with Harper’s eighth effort, Lifeline,
a soulfully eclectic set. The ominously nostalgic “Younger Than Today”
is Harper at his most introspective; while the bluesy opening track,
“Fight Outta You,” is one of his all-time best. In the hands of a
lesser artist, attempts to be varied just sound messy; but Harper
shapes his influences, which range from Donny Hathaway to Van Morrison,
into an intriguing mélange of genres. With the Innocent Criminals
providing the loose-but-fitting sonic backdrop, Lifeline is an
essential. – dusty culpepper
