Ben Lee returns, saves Venus, Earth…the universe.
Posted by bicycleshed in News, The Yellow Stereo
This week finally sees the release of Ben Lee’s 7th studio album, The Rebirth of Venus (New West) and as an avid follower of his over the years, I can honestly say that this might be his best album to date (or at least his second best next to 1998’s brilliant offering, Breathing Tornadoes.) One thing is for sure, this album is definitely his most uplifting as he really tried to focus on how we, the people, could get in touch with our kinder side and start being better for one another. Lead single, I Love Pop Music features Lee’s usual way of delivering a political agenda, through sugary sweet lyrics and a sing-a-long chorus. You can watch the video and stream the album tracks here.
Other highlights include; album opener What’s So Bad about Feeling Good? and track 2, Surrender might just be the most uplifting track about giving up that has ever been recorded. (It’s about giving it all up for love though, so it could either be win win or lose lose, depending on your past history with said emotion). Yoko Ono, which you can download for free by signing up for Ben’s mailing list, is a tribute to the spirit of creation and imagination just as much as it is an ode to Lennon’s muse. Boy with a Barbie sounds like retro-disco and Bad Poetry, while having lyrics that are just that, (we all could have written these words in 6th grade) has a chorus that soars with a sweetness that is sincere enough to put a lump in your throat. The next to the last track on the album, Families Cheating at Board Games contains quite the commentary on just how bad things have gotten in the world, but don’t worry, he still dashes some hope, freedom and love in there along with the dismay. Come to think of it, that’s what Ben Lee has always done and this album may very well be his best example of that talent.
If you are lucky enough to get your hands on the 2 disc Australian edition of this album then you can also hear Ben’s rendition of MGMT’s Kids and Hunters and Collectors Throw Your Arms Around Me.
I would also heavily encourage you to check out this video where Lee talks about the album in great detail as well as mentions his all important act of donating proceeds from the sales to the FINCA’s Village Bank program. See, he really is trying to save the world!
Thanks for reading. Happy Listening all!
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