Diamonds on the Inside

Ben Harper, his band the Innocent Criminals and his trademark Weissenborn guitar have a new CD out. It’s called 'Diamonds on the Inside'. And it is nice.

I say "nice" because, well, it's not mind-blowing and probably won’t find itself into my top five of 2003 — but, on the other hand, it's definitely not crap. It’s three-stars-nice. Middle of the road.

Harper recreates the sounds of his influences (from Bob Marley to Bob Dylan) walking the thin line between incorporating elements of their unique sounds and simply copying. He manages, I feel, to stay on the right side of that line — stamping his own unique energy, potent lyrics and soul onto each track.

Like his past offerings the sound off this CD is incredibly difficult to pinpoint or accurately describe. It’s rock-injected folk. It has gospel, R&B, soul and reggae vibes. And there is a touch of blues there too. It’s a lucky packet of assorted sweets.

Track 1 — 'I Can Change The World' — captures the Bob Marley sound and sentiment in every way (Al Anderson, ex-Marley guitarist appears on this song) — but the repetition of the verse is jarring.

'Diamonds on the Inside' — the title track — is a pearler though. Soaked in Bob Dylan, the song is poignant, heartfelt and easily the best on the album.

Track 4 — 'Touch from Your Lust' — has elements of Pearl Jam shining through the touching lyrics. In the same way Lenny Kravitz flickers through on 'So High So Low'.

Track 5 is an incredibly beautiful lullaby with religious fervour bubbling through it. Continuing this gospel influence is 'Picture of Jesus', the penultimate track on the CD, which sees South Africa’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo sharing the mic with Ben Harper.

Ben Harper's commercial sound does one thing though — it shows that pop music is not necessarily about brand new sounds, but also about the reinvention of past ones.

If you are Ben Harper junkie — and are a member of his growing cult following — then this CD will fail to disappoint. Add it to your already bulging collection. If, however you are a new Harper listener, this CD is not one to put on repeat and I don’t think will serve as an impetus to convert you.