Ben harper and the innocent criminals

Though a bit more polished than his previous outings, Ben Harper's latest album, Lifeline, is no less potent. His work is often limited to the melancholic and forlorn, yet this record finds Harper and company with a newfound vitality that suits them well. On "Say You Will," the church of Harper is in session, with swelling gospel choruses draped over bluesy verses and raucous guitar solos. "Put It On Me" sees Harper plug-in with tremendous brio, which compels the listener to forget that Harper is singing as a lover spurned.

Still, even with his more-than-capable backing band, the standout tracks are often acoustic ones. Harper uses his honeyed, yet earthy, voice to couch acerbic lyrics within soulful tones. Longtime fans will feel at home in songs like "Having Wings," where he pines in strained intervals amid a two-step melody. On "Fool for a Lonesome Train," harmonicas weave a mournful bed on which he laments another love lost. Meanwhile, "Need You Tonight," focuses Harper's transition from familiar to experimental by limiting the band's presence to the billowing choruses.

The album is not without its flaws; though well balanced, it's slightly bipolar in that every up-tempo track is juxtaposed with a slower one. A more fundamental misstep in stylistic consistency occurs on "Younger than Today," where the piano line sounds more reminiscent of Chris Martin than Harper himself.

Even though the scope of his ambition may be limited, what Harper chooses to do he accomplishes with considerable style and ease. This is evident in the range and maturity displayed by the final two songs, "Paris Sunset #7" and "Lifeline." On the first, he channels blues great R.L. Burnside by foregoing the flourishes and relying solely on his strings and his fingers. He then proceeds to raise the stakes with the title track by abandoning the band (and nearly his guitar) to drive his plea. At once vulnerable and unyielding-like the album itself-this song is mellifluous and mournful, lingering like cigarette smoke, leaving you wanting more.