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Rating:
Manichean, maniacal, magnificent.
The corner of the eye goes now one way, now the other, and both views have life and, above all, their own light: Both Sides of the Gun, a Manichean album. A bit like saying heads or tails, recognizing two souls, different yet complementary: one black, angry and engaged, definitely black in the most musical sense of the term; the other white, more personal and everyday.
Both Sides of the Gun, an album crafted in an almost maniacal way by Ben himself, who sings, writes, produces, and plays all the instruments. He practically does everything himself, in the studio. He changes twelve guitars, screams like a desperate madman, cries, becomes very sweet and whispers something in our ear.
Both Sides of the Gun, a magnificent album, where once again we find ourselves wide-eyed at yet another slide solo; where we happily encounter that drive, both decisive and fragile, with which notes are reached and resolved: a soft extension, unmistakable by now. And the same voice that a moment before was helping us rock warmly in our hammock made of piano and violins, now shakes with more force snapping its fingers right in front of our eyes: quite a jolt, sometimes harsh and heartbreaking. It might seem a grand paradox, but it’s a voice that also makes you frown, when it wants to be heard. Because that’s what we need: to frown, to be indignant. To believe there's a better way to do things.
Manichean, maniacal, magnificent. An album also cursed, for all those who would have wanted to devour the television watching the events of New Orleans, and also for those who clutch their stomach thinking of that “I remember when your kisses were for me”.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Morning Yearning (04:09)
A finger's touch upon my lips
It's a morning yearning
Pull the courtains shut, try to keep it dark
But the sun is burning
The world awakens on the run
And will soon be earning
With hopes of better days to come
It's a morning yearning
Another day, another chance to get it right
Must I still be learning
Baby crying kept us up all night
With her morning yearning
Like a summer rose, I'm a victim of the fall
But I'm soon returning
Your love's the warmest place the sun ever shines
My morning yearning
07 More Than Sorry (03:24)
Goodbye
Hasn't been so good to me
Stepped out into the night
Back against the moon
I saw ten thousand hands with candlelight
We all think that we're right
It's hard to tell
If the night is full of hope or doom
What more than sorry can i say
What more than sorry can i be
Before our love fades away
What more than sorry
Do you want from me
My eyes
Burn with unshed tears
My body is weak
From so many silent years
Too many people say goodbye
Before they say hello
Step into the morning
And disappear
What more than sorry can i say
What more than sorry can i be
Before our love fades away
What more than sorry
Do you want from me
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Other reviews
By Paolos
Morning Yearning at the opening takes the breath away by plucking the strings in the sweetest way only he knows how to do.
We are indeed on both sides of the same gun, now we are the ones holding it, and now we are looking down the barrel pointed at our eyes.
By The Punisher
Musically, it seems pretty flat except for his moving teddy bear voice, hoarse but expressive and 'soulful' that saves the day as always.
Better the old Santana of Abraxas or the first Lenny Kravitz or the things from his first three albums... what’s the point of making an album like this NOW?!
