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Awake Is The New Sleep
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Awake Is The New Sleep Image
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

  • 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.

Top Track

Catch My Disease
My head is a box filled with nothing And that's the way I like it My garden's a secret compartment And that's the way I like it And that's the way I... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 19
  3. Negative: 3 out of 19
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Stand[s] alongside Something to Remember Me By as his strongest album.
  2. Paste Magazine
    80
    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.
  3. Alternative Press
    80
    He's never sounded more confident. [Mar 2005, p.134]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    60
    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.
  5. Prefix Magazine
    50
    Much of Awake Is the New Sleep feels labored, lyrically and musically.
  6. Uncut
    40
    Doesn't pack enough hooks to make it memorable. [Apr 2005, p.105]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Pitchfork
    29
    Like a washed-up athlete, Lee's stuck reliving his glory years.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 5 out of 21
  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!… Expand
  2. AnaA
    Aug 21, 2005
    10
    It's very positive. Helps you get your day started. It's great when you just want to listen to an upbeat album.
  4. paulb
    Jun 1, 2006
    10
    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 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.… Expand
  5. David
    Feb 25, 2005
    8
    Seriously that Rolling Stone reviewer in coming months will reasses for sure. This is a very honest light melodic catchy disc.
  6. AmeliaE
    Aug 31, 2006
    8
    beautiful! ben lee has made a stunning album to sing to
  7. 8yearsold
    Mar 3, 2005
    8
    How many times does Ben Lee have to say this isn't a break up record? If you follow his career, and him as a person you can see that his How many times does Ben Lee have to say this isn't a break up record? If you follow his career, and him as a person you can see that his evolution as a person (beliefs etc) has evolved into this album. He wants to give people hope, to do what they want to do. It is not as melancholic as his former albums, and if you see him live, this comes across that he is a much a happier person. Great work Ben!… Expand
  8. BenC
    Apr 29, 2005
    0
    I considered giving Ben a point for sharing my name. Then I remembered how awful every minute of this record was. Ben Lee hasn't matured I considered giving Ben a point for sharing my name. Then I remembered how awful every minute of this record was. Ben Lee hasn't matured a bit since he broke out with "Cigarettes Will Kill You", and you can't just keep releasing albums filled with 14 year old kid poetry and get away with it. P.S. We know you broke up with Claire Danes. Get over it, you twat.… Expand

See all 21 User Reviews