Both Sides of the Gun

Both Sides of the Gun
Studio album by Ben Harper
Released March 21, 2006
Recorded at The Boat Studios, Silverlake, California by Danny Kalb
Genre Folk-rock
Blues-rock
Soul/Funk rock
Hard rock
Jam rock
Length 63:51
Label Virgin
Producer Ben Harper
Ben Harper chronology
Live at the Apollo
(2005)
Both Sides of the Gun
(2006)
Lifeline
(2007)
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic link
Rolling Stone link

Both Sides of the Gun, is a Ben Harper album released in 2006. Split into two discs, the title suggests at the two sides of Harper's musical nature. The first disc ("White") is made of mostly acoustic and string-driven songs hinted at on the last track ("She's Only Happy In The Sun") of Harper's previous album Diamonds on the Inside. The second disc ("Black") is made of the more rootsy and upbeat material and touching on genres such as hard rock, funk and gospel.

The album saw Harper playing the majority of the instruments on both discs; an approach that he had rarely used on his previous albums. However, the Innocent Criminals would appear on a few tracks whilst his later band, Relentless7, would appear together for the first time on "Serve Your Soul", the last track on the second disc.

The album became Harper's first US top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 200 album charts, entering and peaking at #7 on its release. To date it is his highest album entry in that chart.

Contents

Track listing

All songs written by Ben Harper, except as indicated.

Disc 1 - "White"

  1. "Morning Yearning" – 4:09
  2. "Waiting for You" (Ben Harper/Michael Ward) – 3:34
  3. "Picture in a Frame" (Ben Harper/Michael Ward/Juan Nelson/Oliver Charles/Jason Yates/Leon Mobley) – 4:36
  4. "Never Leave Lonely Alone" – 2:51
  5. "Sweet Nothing Serenade" – 2:44
  6. "Reason to Mourn" – 4:26
  7. "More Than Sorry" (Ben Harper/Danny Kalb) – 3:24
  8. "Cryin' Won't Help You Now" – 2:35
  9. "Happy Everafter in Your Eyes" – 2:31

Disc 2 - "Black"

  1. "Better Way" – 3:58
  2. "Both Sides of the Gun" – 2:44
  3. "Engraved Invitation" – 2:55
  4. "Black Rain" (Ben Harper/Jason Yates) – 2:57
  5. "Gather 'Round the Stone" – 3:08
  6. "Please Don't Talk About Murder While I'm Eating" – 2:34
  7. "Get It Like You Like It" – 3:27
  8. "The Way You Found Me" – 2:53
  9. "Serve Your Soul" – 8:22

Disc 3 (Special Edition package only)

The album was also released as a Limited Special Edition box set including a Bonus CD featuring four alternate mixes and two live tracks.

  1. Gather ‘Round The Stone (Alternate Version Mix)
  2. Reason To Mourn (Alternate Mix)
  3. Get It Like You Like It (Live, Acoustic)
  4. Waiting For You (Alternate Mix)
  5. Morning Yearning (Alternate Mix)
  6. Beloved One (Live)

Personnel

Production

Chart positions

Year Chart Position
2006 Australian ARIA Albums Chart 1
Preceded by
Face to Face by Westlife
Australian ARIA Albums Chart number-one album
March 27 - April 9, 2006
Succeeded by
The Hard Road by Hilltop Hoods