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Awake Is The New Sleep
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 19 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 28 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: New West
Release Date: 22 February 2005
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Alternative, Rock
Summary
You may remember him as Australia's youngest rock star, but Ben Lee is a bit older (well, he's 26) and wiser (well, he's smart enough to date Claire Danes) now for his sixth album, produced (like his debut) by Brad Wood. Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis guests.
Also By This Artist: Ripe The Rebirth Of Venus
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Alternative Press
He's never sounded more confident. [Mar 2005, p.134]
Filter
Simple without being simplistic. [#14, p.98]
Paste Magazine
With Awake, Lee has become a writer so adept at communicating his personality through song, that it’s easy to feel like you know him after just a few listens.
Read Full Review >Billboard
Indeed, "Awake" is Lee's strongest album in years; so good that you can even forgive the Har Mar Superstar cameo.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
Stand[s] alongside Something to Remember Me By as his strongest album.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly
[A] pleasant Sunday drive of an album. [18 Feb 2005, p.78]
Drowned In Sound
This album is just that – an album in the truest sense, a collection of songs that work together as a whole and one that doesn’t rely on a strong single or two to make it work.
Read Full Review >E! Online
The disc's simple melodies and slightly dated alt-rock sound are unlikely to change his fortunes anytime soon.
Read Full Review >Spin
[Lee is a] maturing craftsman. [Mar 2005, p.92]
New York Magazine
The songs, engaging as they are, sound cursory, as though Lee wrote them while riding the bus on his way to the studio, staring at his watch and an empty notebook.
Read Full Review >Under The Radar
Nothing here approaches innovation, and while the music isn't offensive to the ears, it provides little to get excited about. [#9]
Prefix Magazine
Much of Awake Is the New Sleep feels labored, lyrically and musically.
Read Full Review >Mojo
It intrigues more than satisfies. [Apr 2005, p.100]
Rolling Stone
Awake has the occasional spiffy tune... but it's padded with pop-rock toss-offs and an unlistenable, ten-minute instrumental noise jam.
Read Full Review >Uncut
Doesn't pack enough hooks to make it memorable. [Apr 2005, p.105]
Splendid
Awake is a distinctly flawed album; much of what's here is precious or forced-sounding.
Read Full Review >Delusions of Adequacy
Contrary to what its title might imply, there’s really not a whole lotta "new" goin’ on here.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 7.6 (out of 10) based on 28 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Kim gave it a10:
Brilliant! One of my top five favorite albums! This is the kind of album that makes you feel good about everything when you listen to it. It's sweet and charming with a twist. I just adore it!
Amelia E gave it an8:
beautiful! ben lee has made a stunning album to sing to
Kristy W gave it a10:
This album never ceases to make me happy. Despite what others claim, this is NOT a breakup album. Sure bits and pieces of an artist's personal life are going to wind up in their work, but this album is so much more than that. It has a spirituality that is neither cloying nor preachy...something this Agnostic can digest without annoyance. Love it! Ben's the man.
paulb gave it a10:
Just a beautiful and very spiritual record. I don't understand the infantile comments - this is a very grown-up album - I'm 43 and this music really engages me - it is bright, intelligent, and makes you feel the world isn't such a bad place after all. Recommended.
Matt B gave it a0:
Saw this guy live on a late night talk show and honestly thought it was a joke. My garage band in Jr. High was more talented than this guy. He should be opening up before poetry readings at Starbucks.
cyber space gave it a0:
asleep is the new asleep get a job as an accountant ben or workl as a bearded lady in a circus
terry gave it a0:
infantile twat
