Customer Reviews

Fight for Your Mind (Vinyl Double LP)

5 star:		(75)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

How this album managed to slip under the radar during the 90's is beyond my understanding. Oppression, Ground On Down, Another Lonely Day, Gold To Me, Give A Man A Home, Power Of The Gospel, God-Fearing Man: these are some of the most deeply moving and powerful songs ever written! And you just got to love the way Harper works that distinct slide guitar of his throughout. The only real criticism about this album and Harper in general is that he somewhat lacks confidence in his singing ability (something he greatly improved upon on Burn To Shine, another album of his worth getting). No big deal. The quality of the work contained on Fight For Your Mind is more than enough to consider it one of the best albums in recent memory.

DON'T END UP SLEEPING ON THIS VASTLY OVERLOOKED CLASSIC!!

Fight For Your Mind is easily one of the best albums I own in a collection of over 400 CDs. I saw Ben Harper live a couple years ago at HORDE Festival and was pretty impressed but I didn't pick up one of his CDs till recently. I wish I had earlier! From start to finish this is an amazing album. It changes tones many times leaving you to wonder what is coming next. Some of my favorite songs include "Ground On Down," "Another Lonely Day," "Excuse Me Mr.," "Give a Man a Home," and "Power of the Gospel." GET THIS ALBUM! You won't regret it!

"Burn to Shine" is a good album but first time listeners should pick this one up first. It really shows Ben at his peak with the rhythms of Dylan and the insight of Marley. An album so chill it'll make you sink into your chair!

This is BY FAR my favorite album (to date) from Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals. It opens with the powerful and opinionated "Oppression" and closes on a more subtle yet heartfelt note with the quiet sounds of "One Road to Freedom". This is the 2nd release from the group and it is much more evolved and contains more rock elements than the acoustic sound heard in "Welcome to the Cruel World". Classics, such as crowd favorites "Burn One Down" and "Gold to Me" are found here. If I had to recommend any one CD from Ben Harper and his Innocent Criminals, this would be it.

A cloudy day in the city of LA. Too lazy to play. What better way than to spend this day than listening to the words of Ben Harper. I have only enlightened myself in the music of Mr. Harper this past year. I hate that. Listening to "Fight For Your Mind" allows you to spend those lazy days and reflect on your own mind. Ben is one of the better writers in the realm of music. If you have this cd, you walk into his mind and he calls for the battle to walk in your own mind. This cd is solid. From start to finish, it is a great listen. Do yourself the favor and walk into your mind with this album.

Harper is a great departure from all of the bubble-gum pop that's flooded the market the past few years. If you like what you have heard on the radio (probably "Steal My Kisses" from "Burn to Shine"), I think you actually should start with this album. It's got a little of everything that Harper is capable of, including bluesy stuff, regaee-tinged tunes, soft ballads and some good ol' rock-n-roll.

Harper's lyrics actually mean something, and I think that makes the music that much more enjoyable. "Even when I'm on my knees/ I know the devil prays," he wails on "Ground on Down," one of the album's harder cuts. A lot of his songs have similar spiritual, almost religious, passages. He's not afraid to get a little political, either. On "Excuse Me Mr.," he is singing to Corporate America and some of the not-so-great things they do. "In the end, all they'll ask is how much you gave," he tells them.

All in all, if you are a lover of music, Harper's got what you need: great, meaningful lyrics, a beautiful voice and a superb band backing him. And P.S. - speaking from personal experience, he also puts on a helluva live show!

Ben highlights his vast talents here with a work spanning the gamut of human feelings. From the angered confrontation of "Excuse Me Mr." to the frail vulnerabilities of "Another Lonely Day", Ben Harper shows us the complex tangle of emotions stirring in each of us. Always socially conscious, he constructs vibrant, heartfelt songs utilizing an interesting style of instrumentation. You must truly hear this man's music to understand.His best album. Get a copy, it's worth it.