Ben Harper and Relentless7 - White Lies for Dark Times - Album Review

1. Number With No Name
2. Up To You Now
3. Shimmer And Shine
4. Lay There And Hate Me
5. Why Must You Always Dress In Black
6. Skin Thin
7. Fly One Time
8. Keep It Together (So I Can Fall Apart)
9. Boots Like These
10. The Word Suicide
11. Faithfully Remain
Rating: ****1/2

Ben Harper's new band Relentless7 has given Harper a new spark and he is showing some of the passion of his earlier releases. The album begins with "Number With No Name" featuring some trademark Harper slide which is good to hear again, especially with distortion. White Lies for Dark Times is Harper's heaviest album to date with his lyrics illustrating some of the anger that the title hints at. "Shimmer and Shine" shows off the talents of his new band with drummer Jordan Richardson adding some excellent percussion fills. As good as his slide is to hear again, Harper's greatest instrument though is his voice which is in fine form as usual. "Keep it Together (So I Can Fall Apart)" has Harper wailing over his wah driven slide which is featured again on "Boots Like These". The slower numbers like "Up To You Now", "The Word Suicide", "Faithfully Remain" and "Skin Thin" work on the album to show off Harper's songwriting talents. " The bluesier rock numbers "Why Must You Always Dress in Black", "Boots Like These" and "Lay There and Hate Me" have Relentless7 in their comfort zone and are a perfect fit for Ben Harper's style. White Lies for Dark Times is a return to form by one of the best musicians of our time and hopefully it will not be the last we hear from Relentless7.