lambchops's Full Review: Burn to Shine by Ben Harper & The Innocent Crimina...
Admitting ignorance is a difficult thing. But in the case of Ben Harper I am almost completely uninformed. See…it took me until the crossover single Steal My Kisses hit first student radio and then mainstream radio before this rock girl finally (yeah…FINALLY) picked up on the uniquely talented singer-songwriter from California.
Unbeknownst to little ol’ me Harper had released three other albums before Burn To Shine hit in 1999. These three discs offer up the artist’s trademark eclectic mix of soul-funk-rock-pop. And the fact that Harper finally found mainstream was of little surprise especially considering the sheer pleasure elicited by the funky pop of Steal My Kisses. Hence my admiration for Harper was born.
In reality, Burn to Shine was released under the name of both Harper and his backing band The Innocent Criminals. It was based on the talent and tunes of this album that Harper embarked on two headlining tours and performed as the opening act for questionably talented yet uber-popular Dave Matthews Band in summer 2000. Based on the work from this artist, it seems that he has a great deal of promise and should have a long and fulfilling career. Or at least that is my hope.
While it’s easy to appreciate Harper, Burn to Shine is by no means a flawless album. Released by Virgin, the record has some amazing points and probably deserves a place in most music collections (as a result of the strong crossover appeal). The album features innumerable guest performances including those from guitarist David Lindley and reggae keyboardist and former Bob Marley confidant Tyrone Downey.
Although not particularly representative of Harper, Steal My Kisses is the most appropriate place in which to start the discussion of Burn To Shine. From the opening thumps and beatboxing of the track to the light and easy guitars the song is an easy choice for radio hit. When light hearted percussion and Harper’s vocals kick in the song becomes whole. But listeners shouldn’t by any means judge the talent by his success with this song. It’s less thoughtful and more fun than most of his offerings on the album. Though, it also serves as a good stepping-stone for pop and rock stars to further explore his music.
Now I love to feel that warm southern rain
Just to hear it fall is the sweetest sounding things
And to see it fall on your simple country dress
It's like heaven to me I must confess
Also a modest radio hit was Suzie Blue. A completely different song than the first hit, it represents the more creatively free and eclectic nature of Harper’s tunes. Driven by the impeccable vocals in addition to an unexpected and completely comfortable trombone and clarinet the track is a relaxing, retro must-listen. The jazz feel of the track is offered up courtesy of the Real Time Jazz Band.
Further digging into Burn To Shine turns up additional gems. Harper turns falsetto on The Woman in You. He sounds absolutely natural and at home in the slowly melodic context of the track. It’s on songs like this that Harper’s singer-songwriter roots shine through loud and clear. This is refreshingly real and unpolluted chill out music and probably the best song of the entire album.
Less is something altogether different. Of course early on listeners might mistake it as another quiet, emotional track. But that feeling lasts just moments until the song turns into thick metal. The guitars are impressive, but Harper’s voice is unfortunately more fitting to less dense recordings. Listeners will want to hear more of him and less of the droning guitars and insistent percussion.
The title track is a southern rock epic. Understated, wonderfully arranged, and focusing specifically on Harper’s swaggering vocals the song is warm and comfortable and a lovely representation of this overall better than just average album. Burn To Shine isn’t the best track here…but it is foot stompin’ classic rock.
Once again returning to light bluesy rock, Harper shimmers on Show Me a Little Shame. It’s on songs like this that I’m reminded specifically of Chris Robinson of one of the best blues-rock acts in recent memory—Black Crowes. Harper is smooth and creatively free in such a way that fans of rock, blues, and R & B should all be equally drawn to and thusly impressed.
Majestic and tearful, Beloved One wows with nothing more than Harper’s wistful vocals accompanied by a piano and various stringed instruments. Once again, listeners will be reminded of his true, real, unmarred talent. His sound is indescribable and without genre limits. It has no expiration date or trend attached to it and therefore Beloved One and Burn To Shine should remain popular for years to come…that is if people would just come to know and love it.
It’s been a pleasure to finally come to appreciate Harper and his music. And based on this mostly positive experience, it will lead me to explore his other work more specifically. For fans of music ranging from Neil Young to Black Crowes to Blues Traveler to Cat Stevens this is truly a magnificent find. Don’t judge Harper by Steal My Kisses because while being a great song it is not even slightly representative of Harper’s amazing talent as a modern day singer-songwriter.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. Alone
02. The Woman in You *
03. Less
04. Two Hands of a Prayer
05. Please Bleed
06. Suzie Blue *
07. Steal My Kisses
08. Burn to Shine *
09. Show Me a Little Shame *
10. Forgiven
11. Beloved One *
12. In The Lord’s Arms
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