Give Till It's Gone

iTunes Review

Ben Harper turns up the rock ‘n’ roll for 2011’s Give Till It’s Gone. Harper’s always offered a varied approach where he stars as the laid-back leader that can roll with the punches, but here he sounds like he’s lit a fire under his band, Relentless7. There’s an honest, quick energy to “Don’t Give Up On Me Now,” “Clearly Severely” and “Rock N’ Roll Is Free,” where the band doesn’t overthink the situation. “Feel Love” is a sweet ballad that allows Harper to reach the top of his range. Ringo Starr guests on two tracks, the Beatles-influenced psychedelia of “Spilling Faith” and the instrumental, “Get There from Here” that sounds like it was recorded during the Magical Mystery Tour sessions. Harper’s more expected compatriot Jackson Browne joins him for the touching ballad, “Pray That Our Love Sees the Dawn.” “Waiting On a Sign” has the laidback rock groove that most people associate with Harper. “Do It for You, Do It for Us” sounds like a classic-rock staple from the ‘70s.