The Undercover Review

BEN LEE - Breathing Tornados

How has it happened for Ben Lee? It’s no use asking him, he doesn’t know. It just did.

This 20 year old guy from Sydney’s Northern Suburbs, with has never had a job, a major release or any decent airplay suddenly ends up living in New York, befriending Sean Lennon, dating Claire Danes and signing to The Beastie Boys label.

If you think his life sounds effortless to date, you should hear this album. "Breathing Tornados" is a testament to his talent. It’s a simple album, but then again, you try and do it. It may sound like Ben has his own Melways to Easy Street, but then again, don’t you say the same thing when you see a Seinfeld stand-up.

"Breathing Tornados" works on various levels. First time around, you listen to songs like Cigarettes Will Kill You and the whole thing sounds pleasant.

Play the CD again and a song like Tornados stand out for its complexity. Third time around and The Finger And The Moon may be the dominant track for its simplicity.

Things get interesting when you get to Nighttime. Ben calls in his mate Donovan Leitch (as in son of blah blah blah and also lead singer of Nancy Boy) and the Lennon influence becomes a bit obvious on Sandpaperback. Strange thing is its more John, not Sean making Ben push it to eleven here. (Sometimes I think singers try harder when the son of a legend is in the room).

Good luck to you Ben Lee. This is a great album.