|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
Special Offers and Product Promotions
- Buy a CD or a vinyl record, get a $1 Amazon MP3 Credit. Limit one promotional credit per customer. Here's how (restrictions apply)
- Includes FREE MP3 version of this album Here's how (restrictions apply)
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Editorial Reviews
Ben Harper Photos
 |  | ||
 |  |
More from Ben Harper
 Diamonds on the Inside |  Both Sides of the Gun |  Welcome to the Cruel World |
 Live From Mars |  The Will to Live |  Live at the Hollywood Bowl |
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By fetish_2000
Format:Audio CD
For an artist such as Ben Harper, who's reflective blend of acoustic soul & organic stripped down blues and R&B, coupled with his emotional singer/songwriter approach gave his debut album "Welcome to the Cruel World" a great starting point, for those tired of music lacking any intellectual content. But it was this, his fiery politicised second album "Fight for your mind", that he was to truly make his mark on the musical landscape.
This is a intimate and deeply introspective record, that not only looks inwards, but frequently looks at the world from the perspective of a enraged musical poet (Harper's influences such as: Dylan, Hendrix, Bob Marley, are clear to see). Because for a track like "Another Lonely Day" which is largely minimal in its instrumentation, and relies mostly on Ben's soul-folk singing to carry the emotional impact of this song, (think stripped back folk, with some lovely slide guitar), it went some way to prove that Ben wanted people to hear what he had to say, rather than just purely focus on the music.
"Burn one Down" which is actually a Pro-weed song, with Harper brazenly declaring ""if you don't like my fire, then don't come around, yes I'm gonna burn one down.", shows that Ben like the protest songs of someone like Dylan, many years before him for instance, hasn't shy-ed away from controversial subject matters.
"Ground on Down" is unquestionably my favourite track, Ben hooks up the electric guitar for a occasionally feedback drenched throwdown, that has more place on a rock album, such is its explosive energy, with Harper assuming the lyrical stance of a righteous commentator over the energetic guitar that is probably the nearest he's come to sounding like an infuriated Jimi Hendrix, in this insistent, almost slightly aggressive rock-out.
There is an undeniable sense of Harper wanting to get a lot of his chest, as quite of few of the songs deal with social/racial injustice to some degree, as "Fight For your Mind" & "Oppression" immediately spring to mind, with unsettling guitar tones which range from poignant one minute, to curiously uplifting the next. Although none of this would mean anything without some inspired writing by Harper, that easily surpasses his debut in structure and musical dynamics. In fact Ben would never truly match (much less surpass what was achieved here), this level of articulation and poetic lyrical content, although with impressively strong musical arrangements.
If your looking for a Ben Harper Cd, and your not interested in collecting his albums, then without doubt Its widely known that this was his most significant effort on the album market, and although his other albums are certainly worth a look if you like his music. The combination of righteous finger pointing, consice lyrics and, cerebral blues-folk would never quite have the same bite, as this, his finest album.
This is a intimate and deeply introspective record, that not only looks inwards, but frequently looks at the world from the perspective of a enraged musical poet (Harper's influences such as: Dylan, Hendrix, Bob Marley, are clear to see). Because for a track like "Another Lonely Day" which is largely minimal in its instrumentation, and relies mostly on Ben's soul-folk singing to carry the emotional impact of this song, (think stripped back folk, with some lovely slide guitar), it went some way to prove that Ben wanted people to hear what he had to say, rather than just purely focus on the music.
"Burn one Down" which is actually a Pro-weed song, with Harper brazenly declaring ""if you don't like my fire, then don't come around, yes I'm gonna burn one down.", shows that Ben like the protest songs of someone like Dylan, many years before him for instance, hasn't shy-ed away from controversial subject matters.
"Ground on Down" is unquestionably my favourite track, Ben hooks up the electric guitar for a occasionally feedback drenched throwdown, that has more place on a rock album, such is its explosive energy, with Harper assuming the lyrical stance of a righteous commentator over the energetic guitar that is probably the nearest he's come to sounding like an infuriated Jimi Hendrix, in this insistent, almost slightly aggressive rock-out.
There is an undeniable sense of Harper wanting to get a lot of his chest, as quite of few of the songs deal with social/racial injustice to some degree, as "Fight For your Mind" & "Oppression" immediately spring to mind, with unsettling guitar tones which range from poignant one minute, to curiously uplifting the next. Although none of this would mean anything without some inspired writing by Harper, that easily surpasses his debut in structure and musical dynamics. In fact Ben would never truly match (much less surpass what was achieved here), this level of articulation and poetic lyrical content, although with impressively strong musical arrangements.
If your looking for a Ben Harper Cd, and your not interested in collecting his albums, then without doubt Its widely known that this was his most significant effort on the album market, and although his other albums are certainly worth a look if you like his music. The combination of righteous finger pointing, consice lyrics and, cerebral blues-folk would never quite have the same bite, as this, his finest album.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By Eric Olsen
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have all of Ben Harper's records, and I'm eager to share his music with my friends. When I do, this is the album I buy for them. It shows what Ben's capable of, the styles he is able to transcend, his musicianship, his lyricist capabilities, his passion for God. And there's not a weak song on the album. This is not to say that Ben has gone downhill since this album. It's just a perfect, eclectic blend of Ben. If you want to share his music with a friend, start them out here. If you yourself are looking to see what Ben Harper is capable of, this is it.
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By F. K. H
Format:Audio CD
I keep thinking this is Ben Harper's best cd. It's a blend of soul and great songs. This cd will take you for a ride of songs that are different from each other and that bear Ben's soul in them. I have realized that what makes Ben Harper's music so special is the amount of pleasure you can feel he put in writing and singing his songs. It's all there. This is one of my collection's best. Highly, really, highly recommended.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Gift
Was given as a gift and liked very much. it would be nice if you had a band shirt purchase option available when you purchase a CD.
Published 4 months ago by Audrey Schuster
3.0 out of 5 stars
Nice
This is my first Ben Harper. I think this guy is pretty good, would love to see in live.But the songs seem somewhat the same as you listen to the entire CD. But now its good.
Published 16 months ago by ced56
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Ben Harper album
This is definitely Ben Harper's best album. I can listen to it from start to finish every time. He's been my favorite musician since I saw him live in 1995 and bought this album... Read more
Published 21 months ago by sdm024
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ben Rocks!
Ben Harper is a legend, and this classic album of his earlier work is a masterpiece of vinyl, thoroughly deserving of a space on my shelf. Read more
Published on May 3, 2010 by Nigel J. Henderson
5.0 out of 5 stars
LOVE LOVE LOVE BEN HARPER!!
This is an awesome cd I totally recommend it if you are already a bit of a Harper fan. I bought this album after listening to some of his music and just wanted some more to check... Read more
Published on April 20, 2010 by Cortney M. Clark
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ben Harper Is A Better Live Performer
This is considered by most fans to be Ben Harper's best work, but I don't think it showcases just how great he is. I don't think any of his studio recordings do. Read more
Published on August 3, 2009 by Elvis Zombie
2.0 out of 5 stars
eh...
This may be his best album, but despite all the musical styles he dabbles in he doesn't seem to have come up with more than a somewhat competent pastiche of reggae, funk, soul,... Read more
Published on February 26, 2009
5.0 out of 5 stars
It feels good to listen to Ben Harper
I have no idea what Ben Harper's music is technically "labeled" but it feels like funk, acoustic, chill to me. Read more
Published on January 16, 2009 by Delaney
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good, just wish it had more variety like Both Sides of the Gun
The album does not have the variety as Both Sides of the Gun, a soft side and a heavier side. The music was good however not as good as the last album. You will enjoy it.
Published on October 21, 2008 by Roy C. Kinsey IV
4.0 out of 5 stars
Must own this album!
I am a fan of Ben Harpers. Have been since the '90's. I love his vision of music. His soulful vocals. Read more
Published on February 20, 2007 by MarijaynesGreen
