- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
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Alternative PressHe's never sounded more confident. [Mar 2005, p.134]
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FilterSimple without being simplistic. [#14, p.98]
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With Awake, Lee has become a writer so adept at communicating his personality through song, that it’s easy to feel like you know him after just a few listens.
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Indeed, "Awake" is Lee's strongest album in years; so good that you can even forgive the Har Mar Superstar cameo.
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Stand[s] alongside Something to Remember Me By as his strongest album.
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Entertainment Weekly[A] pleasant Sunday drive of an album. [18 Feb 2005, p.78]
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This album is just that – an album in the truest sense, a collection of songs that work together as a whole and one that doesn’t rely on a strong single or two to make it work.
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Spin[Lee is a] maturing craftsman. [Mar 2005, p.92]
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The disc's simple melodies and slightly dated alt-rock sound are unlikely to change his fortunes anytime soon.
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The songs, engaging as they are, sound cursory, as though Lee wrote them while riding the bus on his way to the studio, staring at his watch and an empty notebook.
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Under The RadarNothing here approaches innovation, and while the music isn't offensive to the ears, it provides little to get excited about. [#9]
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Much of Awake Is the New Sleep feels labored, lyrically and musically.
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Awake has the occasional spiffy tune... but it's padded with pop-rock toss-offs and an unlistenable, ten-minute instrumental noise jam.
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UncutDoesn't pack enough hooks to make it memorable. [Apr 2005, p.105]
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It's all perfectly serviceable pop, if a little dull.
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MojoIt intrigues more than satisfies. [Apr 2005, p.100]
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Awake is a distinctly flawed album; much of what's here is precious or forced-sounding.
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Contrary to what its title might imply, there’s really not a whole lotta "new" goin’ on here.
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Like a washed-up athlete, Lee's stuck reliving his glory years.
User score distribution:
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Positive: 23 out of 29
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Mixed: 1 out of 29
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Negative: 5 out of 29
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KimMay 9, 2009
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AmeliaEAug 31, 2006beautiful! ben lee has made a stunning album to sing to
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KristyWAug 14, 2006