Ben Lee Album: “Breathing Tornados (Capitol)”

Having been a Ben Lee fan for a few years, I bought this album sight unseen (or sound unheard as it were) right when it came out. From the first notes of "Cigarretes Will Kill You," the opening track on this amazing disc, I was taken aback. Where was the acoustic guitar? The simple melodies? But the more I listened to Breathing Tornados, the more I was able to appreciate the complexity of the sounds Ben Lee has created for this album. He continues to grow and evolve on this, his third album as a solo artist, and yet he's only 20 years of age.

Breathing Tornados, despite the use of drum machines and distortion, maintains the simplicity and earnestness of Lee's previous work. His songs lyrically remain tales of love lost and love found, and of searching for himself. Lee's music speaks of himself, and that communicates with the listener. I can find many connections with his stories and my own life. Standouts on this album include the first single "Nothing Much Happens," the extremely catchy "Nighttime," and the sonic-busting "Ship My Body Home."

Quick Picks: If you like these, you might like Ben Lee (and vice versa): Luscious Jackson, Rufus Wainwright, Lotion

Ben Lee's music has really evolved. I love the new sound, it's much more mature. There are so many great tracks on the album. Check out I Am A Sunflower; it's currently my favorite. Buy Breathing Tornados - You'll be glad you did ;)

The friend who recommended BREATHING TORNADOS said to listen to it three times through before forming an opinion. That was good advice. This effort by Ben Lee reminds me of some of those early records by Randy Newman. On the whole, this is either a mediocre album from an exceptional talent, or an exceptional effort from a mediocre talent. It's hard to tell which. There isn't a lot of interesting music here. The notable exception being "Nighttime," which is worth the price of admission. As with most singer/songwriters of merit, the lyrics outshine the tunes for the most part. There are some really fine lyrics. The one that grabbed me was, "I'm falling in fear again." It's easy to say that Ben Lee has arrived as a songwriter. This third CD certainly warrants a fourth, but twenty years from now will anyone remember BREATHING TORNADOS? Time will tell. Perhaps. For now, it's worth a listen. It will grow on you.

i went to a beastie boys concert and this kid gives my brother a grand royal sampler,so on the way home we pop it in,my brother loved ben lees song and bought the cd the first day it was out,I am so happy that kid gave us that sampler because there are only three bad songs on here,most of my cd's are beastie boys,public enemy,krs-one,the roots,you get the point,but this is great when i want something differant,i saw him in burlington VT and am planning on seeing him with bens fold five in the fall,if anyone knows someone who has simalar music please tell me,i would keep on goin on but i think u get the point.

Ben Lee is a great aussie export and we all should be proud of him. His talent is phenominal and it shows here in his lastest work, "breathing tornadoes". unlike previous albumns this one shows sign of Ben Lee's growing maturity. (ten feet tall & i am a sunflower). At only 20, he has a bright future. the albumn is full of great tracks, most notably "Ciggarettes will kill you" which has been a hit here in Australia, "tornados" and also "nothing much happens". Ben lee writes what others twice his tender age could, and this is one albumn worth buying.