Ben Harper - Welcome to the Cruel World

The full range of Ben Harper's influences would not come to bear until later albums, but his debut, Welcome To The Cruel World, lays a strong foundation. "Like a King" and "Take That Attitude to Your Grave" burn with a political conviction rarely heard during the 1990s. "Forever" has a tenderness which demonstrates Harper's emotional range. Lackluster hippie jams that cultivated his early following may have served a purpose but feel fluffy by comparison when compared to the meatier tracks. Read More