Both Sides Of The Gun
by Ben Harper
  • Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Mar 21, 2006
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. PopMatters
    70
    Harper more than compensates for this shortcoming [his voice], as he always has, with the brilliance of his songwriting, his lyrical content, and his musicianship.
  2. Urb
    90
    With Both Sides Of The Gun, Harper proves he's prolific, diverse and relevant. [Apr 2006, p.86]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Rolling Stone
    80
    The rap on Ben Harper's music up to this point has been that it's been too derivative. This could be the album where he finally transcends that. [23 Mar 2006, p.61]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Paste Magazine
    70
    Perhaps the album's sides are the opposite of what they initially seem: even when gripping a weapon in his hand, Harper chooses to sing quiet, pacifistic songs of love, while he finds the courage truly to speak his mind only when staring down the barrel of a loaded gun. [Apr/May 2006, p.104]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    It's occasionally a bit too easy to play spot-the-influences with Harper's stuff... but his unabashed, unaffected nostalgia is more charming than irritating. [24 Mar 2006, p.69]
    All this publication's reviews

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. MikeA
    Jul 31, 2006
    10
    Harper has his downfalls. But critics are a waste of trees in the music business as music is purely opinion. I love Ben Harper because i love Harper has his downfalls. But critics are a waste of trees in the music business as music is purely opinion. I love Ben Harper because i love his different sounds, i love his heroes and the fact that his music isn't critcally accepted commercialised crap that fills the music industry theses days.… Full Review »
  2. JoelL
    Jun 1, 2006
    10
    Ben Harper's songwriting skills, (and i'm talking about musically) have impressed me once again. I, being a musician, (and a Ben Harper's songwriting skills, (and i'm talking about musically) have impressed me once again. I, being a musician, (and a horrible lyric writer), find the music in this cd to be outstanding.… Full Review »
  3. TomC
    May 28, 2006
    7
    I've been a fan of Ben Harper for a long time now, but I have to admit that I'm getting a little bit bored with him. His music I've been a fan of Ben Harper for a long time now, but I have to admit that I'm getting a little bit bored with him. His music doesn't seem to be stretching or changing, and it's like he ran out of inspiration a few albums ago. I hope he reinvents himself somewhere along the line, or he's going to regress into being a fun live show, and nothing more.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »