Disco de Ben Lee: “Rebirth of Venus”

I suppose the call and response element to this album would not make much sense to someone who has not been to a Ben Lee Concert, but to me, this album captures fully the Ben Lee Concert Experience. It's not about Ben, it's about the audience having a good time and feeling joyful, even if that means being a little silly.

Likewise, those who have not met Ben would probably consider this album to be cloying or disingenuous, but, really, Ben is one of the most authentic people I've ever had the pleasure to meet. He simply does not care if something comes off as cheesy...he's just being him. Not only that, but he wants YOU to not care if you are being cheesy, too. It's about letting go and living in the moment. This album is a testiment to his personality and eccentric thought process. It takes a big man to align himself with the feminine, so in that respect, this is an extremely brave album.

As for the music itself, Boy w. a Barbie is fantastic, imo. Families Cheating at Boardgames often brings me to tears...somehow he gets the Dysfunctional Family dynamic just right. Love the percussion (by his step-daughter)at the beginning of What's So Bad (About Feeling Good); the message is a good one, too. Fave line "No guilt, all pleasure".

Brad Wood is back producing and that's good news as he did a great job w. Awake is the New Sleep, as well. I think that Ben's music is an acquired taste; some people are going to get it, and some people aren't, and that's ok.

If you are new to Ben Lee please bypass this cd. Try Breathing Tornadoes, Hey You Yes You, or Awake is the New Sleep. This CD is god-awful. I don't even know what to say....there are no catchy melodies. I liked ONE song on this CD, Barbie....

I like Ben Lee but I was truly disappointed with this CD.

I got conned by the 'good reviews' here. And sometimes you can't tell by the short samples provided

The so-called 'call and response'..well. not on every verse, for almost the whole song, for goodness sakes! This happens on the 2nd song SURRENDER and the 13th song "SONG FOR THE DIVINE...." So annoying and embarassing to be heard out of my speakers that these are now deleted from my PC and MP3 player by the 3rd day,for good.

You want an example of good 'call and response", Try Mahlathin & the Mahotella Queen's. That is wonderful.

Nothing wrong with Pop, being upbeat and positive, so why have the F word in the song YOKO ONO? It is hard to express political opinions in a pop song, being pro-peace, anti-war. But times have changed, now war comes unto you. The views on foreign policy in "Wake up america". Sorry, thank god pop artists are not in charge of government.

I do like "What's So Bad (About Feeling Good)?"; "Families Cheating at Board Games"; "Boy with a Barbie", not that there's anything wrong with that.

I heard that "Feeling Good" song over Muzak... thought it was new David Hasselhoff.

Yuck.