Customer Reviews

Breathing Tornados

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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

I have been a hard-core ben lee fan for many years now and I can tell you that this one is a lot different than his previous records. I was surprised at first because it was a lot less acoustic but a lot of complex sounds. The lyrics are deep, and his voice has really changed for the better. I bought this album in march of 1999 and I still listen to it all the time. This one is a masterpiece. really.

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 ;)

I honestly bought this album because I happened to hear about it in a magazine. I've never been one to go by critic's reviews, but this album is nothing short of absolutely wonderful. So much music today is cluttered with big sounds and overexaggerated orchestral arrangements that it is refreshing to hear something that goes against the mainstream. It is simple and intelligent and stays with you long after you've finished listening. LISTEN TO THIS ALBUM...

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 luvvvv this album man! the second track makes me wanna jump around the room, while "Tornadoes" is simply smart; the lyrics!!! I commend Ben Lee..whatta guy..& he looks so shy..?? Well after readin' all the reviews of Grandpaw Would", I just had to get it too-- LISTEN TO THIS ALBUM, YOU"LL THANK THE SOLAR SYSTEM!!

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.

well, what can i say? I was kinda complacent about buying this albumn. i was actually only going to gat the single of "cigarettes will kill you" after hearing it on the radio. but i could only find the albumn and got that. I will say this, it is the finest albumn that i have ever heard and probaly ever will. I'm impressed with Ben Lee's song writing in particular, especially seeing he's only 20. this albumn is unique in that every song is different, it feels different and sounds different. give him 2 weeks and he could come up with a better albumn than someone older than him could in 2 years, it's that good. all songs on the albumn are excellent. "cigarettes will kill u" ," tornados" and "nothing much happens are my favourite. beleive you me, you won't regret buying this albumn.

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.