Breathing Tornados

Amazon.com
Ben Lee got the jump on being a pop star by starting his career when other kids his age were more concerned with acne medication than writing the perfect love song. A lo-fi savant, Lee's humble approach and off-kilter, nasal wail called to mind his acknowledged idol Jonathan Richman. Here, at the ripe old age of 20, he has managed to maintain the precocious, friendly, and wide-eyed personality that influenced both Noise Addict and his early solo efforts, while graduating to more complex musical structures. Breathing Tornados sounds like it has an intravenous feed from early-'80s MTV, with electroriffs and catchy refrains coursing through the tubing. But luckily, Lee's lo-fi tendencies still rule the day and the synthesizers and computers are used with the same simple joy with which he bashed out nerd-rock love songs on his teenage guitar. --Lois Maffeo

Breathing Tornados,Ben Lee,Capitol,Alternative Pop/Rock,Indie Pop,Indie Rock,Pop,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter

Breathing Tornados

Average customer rating:

pain, fear, confusion...
BEN LEE IS GOOD
I Love It
mediocre, but thats not always bad
Breathing new life!!!

Breathing Tornados
Ben Lee
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Hey You. Yes You.
Awake Is the New Sleep
Something to Remember Me By
Catch My Disease
Grandpaw Would

ASIN: B00000G5OC
Release Date: 1999-03-09

Tracks:

Cigarettes Will Kill You
Nothing Much Happens
I Am A Sunflower
Tornados
The Finger And The Moon
Birthday Song
Nightime
Burn To Shine
Sandpaperback
10Ft. Tall
Ship My Body Home
Sleepwalking

Amazon.com

Ben Lee got the jump on being a pop star by starting his career when other kids his age were more concerned with acne medication than writing the perfect love song. A lo-fi savant, Lee's humble approach and off-kilter, nasal wail called to mind his acknowledged idol Jonathan Richman. Here, at the ripe old age of 20, he has managed to maintain the precocious, friendly, and wide-eyed personality that influenced both Noise Addict and his early solo efforts, while graduating to more complex musical structures. Breathing Tornados sounds like it has an intravenous feed from early-'80s MTV, with electroriffs and catchy refrains coursing through the tubing. But luckily, Lee's lo-fi tendencies still rule the day and the synthesizers and computers are used with the same simple joy with which he bashed out nerd-rock love songs on his teenage guitar. --Lois Maffeo

Customer Reviews:

pain, fear, confusion..........2005-04-11

my ears are fine by my EYES. MY EYES ARE BLEEDING, BEN. this album should be sold with a censorship sticker over the entire cover to spare us all the horror that is the breathing tornados album art.

...are those cheerios?

BEN LEE IS GOOD.......2003-02-23

i had the pleasure of seeing him live, when he opened for J Mascis, and he was amazing. "Burn To Shine" was soooo passionate.. buy this

I Love It.......2003-01-02

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 ;)

mediocre, but thats not always bad.......2002-02-28

OVERALL its pretty dull, and somewhat repetitive, but incredibly relaxing. If you wanna relax, sit back, and just chill, this album is perfect. Nothing too hardcore (to say the least), but I like it. A good buy, worth the money.

Breathing new life!!!.......2001-06-17

Okay it's 1999, just about every artist now days want to add some drum loop or some crazy computer effect in their songs. Now former Noise Addict Aussie (and Double Dare contestant!) is one of those artists who follow in that direction. But unlike other artists who uses the drum loop and samples as something "now "or gimmicky (like the awful Sugar Ray... "Every Morning" I have to listen to that ....ha ha), Ben Lee really uses it to it's advantage, breathing new life in his songs. These are not your basic four-track Ben Lee acoustic albums (Grandpaw Would and Something To Remember Me By) The opener, "Cigarettes Will Kill You", starts off with piano very reminiscent to Fiona Apple's "Fast As You Can". And has a great chorus, "I wish everyone was wrong." On song two, "Nothing Much Happens" features a monologue by Kids and Sonic Youth`s "Sunday" video director Harmony Korine. When song three comes, it sounds like Ben is getting his groove on "I Am A Sunflower" that sounds a bit like Barry White. Maybe it's the fact he's getting some from ex-My So-Called Life Star Claire Danes that Ben's lyrics sound more sensual than the other albums. Another factor in the writing of Breathing Tornados was that it was recorded in some guy's house that made some ...!? (Yes it's true, go to some site and read about it.) There are some classic Ben Lee songs "The Finger and the Moon" featuring very minimal organ and acoustic guitar with slow drumbeats. "Birthday Song" and "10ft. Tall" is just Ben with his guitar with barely any accompanying percussion. Want something jazzy or funky? Listen to "Nighttime" "Burn to Shine" or "Sandpaperback" (with Sean Lennon on guest vocals) Throughout the 12 songs on this album, Ben searches for someone he could be intimate with. Using "organic" or "electronic" methods, he sings with the passion to grab anyone listening. Sure, he does have some weird nasal thing in his voice, which may be hard for people to listen to. (C'mon he's Australian!) But give it a chance please.... This is one talented young man who may be the future of rock and roll!

Average customer rating:

THIS IS BEN'S "DANCIER-DRUMMACHINE-THING" & STILL BEN.

Breathing Tornados
Ben Lee
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00000IBA5
Release Date: 1999-04-13

Tracks:

Cigarettes Will Kill You
Nothing Much Happens
I Am a Sunflower
Tornados
Finger and the Moon
Birthday Song
Nighttime
Burn to Shine
Sandpaperback
Ten Feet Tall
Ship My Body Home
Sleepwalking

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring Bonus Tracks.

Customer Reviews:

THIS IS BEN'S "DANCIER-DRUMMACHINE-THING" & STILL BEN........1999-05-31

THIS CD LIKE THE ONE'S BEFORE IT REFLECT A BOY SLOWLY TURNING INTO A MAN. A PERCEPTIVE MAN. IT GOES FROM A GROOVE TO A TOE TAP TO A MELODY STAYING NOT TO FAR FROM THE TRACK. "MR LEE WHAT A FINE MUSICIAN YOU HAVE GROWN TO BECOME." I DO LIKE THE VERSION OF BURN TO SHINE ON BEST MEN BEST THOUGH.IT IS MORE HEART FELT. IS THAT AVAILABLE?