hiimfred's Full Review: Welcome to the Cruel World by Ben Harper
I have heard about Ben Harper for many years now, he was usually tagging up with semi-well known acts on tours. It isn’t until this year that I actually heard a song of his. The first song I heard was Walk Away from Welcome to the Cruel World. It just so happened that the sentiments of this song coincided with a problem I was going through with a friend. For me, this evoked many emotions and was the only thing playing for about a week or so. The lyrics hit me, the simplistic music that I tend to favor hit me, his voice hit me. I was amazed as to how someone could pinpoint the feeling of loneliness and desperation.
I was not the one to purchase this CD though, in the end. My sister had recently been caught up in a Jack Johnson and Mason Jennings trend. Ben Harper has toured with both of these singer/songwriters. She quickly went out and purchased the CD. Almost as quickly as she bought it, I took it from her. I was anxious to hear if the CD held up to what Walk Away had become to me.
I was thoroughly disappointed with this album although it wasn’t the worst album that I have heard. I built it up to be so much more in my head, thus was the origination of this disappointment. I carefully listened to each song, heard the mix of calypso and Mississippi Delta Blues, the occasional accordion. It’s obvious Harper had many different and interesting influences. He seemingly believes in minimalistic music, with simple guitar with a light bongo, etc. The main reason I was disappointed was because I believed that there could be much more to him then what was apparent on the record.
I am the first one to get into an acoustic performer (i.e.: Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, Mason Jennings, the list goes on) but this laid back mentality of Ben Harper’s only shows hints of possible talent that could be emitted from him. Aside from the simplistic guitar and musical arrangements, Harper is very difficult to understand. Many of his lyrics, which are beautiful, honest, and heartfelt, get lost. This just adds to the list of why I thought the CD produced less than I had hoped for.
A major problem of mine was that many of Harper’s songs were so simple that the same form was apparent in a few songs. My two favorite songs on the album, Waiting on an Angel and obviously Walk Away, have easily been mistaken for the same song. If I hadn’t listened to Walk Away so much, it would have been more of a challenge to find the distinction.
Aside from these two tracks though, there are also a couple more admirable songs. Songs such as I’ll Rise. This song I used as a strengthener. After I had been so broken-hearted and listened to Walk Away continuously, I discovered I’ll Rise. Its hopeful message assured that I would come out on top after my rut and it was a very inspiring song.
It’s evident that Harper has a sense of humor even when it concerns serious matter, such as the song Mama’s Got a Girlfriend Now. He sings about a dysfunctional family while illustrating that “mama” was so frustrated that she found her comfort in another woman.
Those are just a few of the songs so here is the complete track listing:
1. The Three of Us
2. Whipping Boy
3. Breakin’ Down
4. Don’t Take that Attitude to Your Grave
5. Waiting on an Angel
6. Mama’s Got a Girlfriend Now
7. Forever
8. Like a King
9. Pleasure and Pain
10. Walk Away
11. How Many Miles Must We March
12. Welcome to the Cruel World
13. I’ll Rise
Ben Harper’s political views are very strong and his outspoken on this CD and on the CD’s before him. I admire that in a songwriter, able to speak his mind through poetry. I’m sure he’d be an incredible guy to have a conversation with.
Although I found many negatives with this album, all and all, it’s worth a few listens if hopes are not as high as mine were. Perhaps Ben is an acquired taste. I know that I have not heard enough of him to make an accurate judgment on whether he was always this way although I’ve heard many say that the improvement is obvious on this CD. The CD is good on the whole just don’t go searching for an opus.
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