• Record Label: New West
  • Release Date: Feb 22, 2005
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 19
  2. Negative: 3 out of 19
  1. 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.
  2. Under The Radar
    50
    Nothing here approaches innovation, and while the music isn't offensive to the ears, it provides little to get excited about. [#9]
  3. Much of Awake Is the New Sleep feels labored, lyrically and musically.
  4. Awake has the occasional spiffy tune... but it's padded with pop-rock toss-offs and an unlistenable, ten-minute instrumental noise jam.
  5. Uncut
    40
    Doesn't pack enough hooks to make it memorable. [Apr 2005, p.105]
  6. It's all perfectly serviceable pop, if a little dull.
  7. Mojo
    40
    It intrigues more than satisfies. [Apr 2005, p.100]
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 29
  2. Negative: 5 out of 29
  1. Kim
    May 9, 2009
    10
    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. 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! Full Review »
  2. AmeliaE
    Aug 31, 2006
    8
    beautiful! ben lee has made a stunning album to sing to
  3. KristyW
    Aug 14, 2006
    10
    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 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. Full Review »