Ben Lee - Ripe

Over a long career, Australian singer-songwriter Ben Lee has given a range of styles a go. Yet, having settled on slightly left-of-centre pop rock, he has hit a fruitful patch - with genuine success in his homeland, and increased attention abroad. It was teaming up with Ben Folds and Ben Kweller as one third of ‘The Bens’ which first drew Lee to my attention (how could this Ben resist?) It’s rather remarkable how alike all three are, and it really is the case that you’d like all three if you like one. At his best, Ben Lee is as good as Folds. His ballads are touching without being mawkish, and his pop songs feel effortless. Like Folds, however, he isn’t afraid of humour - but these are less successful. ‘What Would Jay-Z Do?’ is quite funny, but unlikely to be so after ten listens. And the shameless lift of a Bon Jovi song just doesn’t work at all. So, Ben Lee is a real talent, but this album would be more impressive if he were able to exercise some quality control.

Track Listing:-

1 Love Me Like the World Is Ending
2 American Television
3 Birds and Bees
4 Is This How Love's Supposed to Feel
5 Blush
6 Numb
7 What Would Jay-Z Do?
8 Sex Without Love
9 Home
10 So Hungry
11 Just Say Yes
12 Ripe

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