DOWNLOAD: Noise Addict
By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 1, 2009 6:20PM
Sadly, most know Ben Lee as either arm candy to the starlets or a mediocre adult-alternative singer. But back in the day, when he was a wee kid fresh outta Australia, he could write a mean tune. He rose to fame after spending some time in Chicago and recording an album with Brad Wood featuring cameos by various local scenesters including a young lady by the name of Liz Phair. That was a fine solo disc, but we always really loved his previous work with the much messier yet ingratiatingly poppier band Noise Addict.
After 14 years Lee has resurrected the Noise Addict name, although the original members are nowhere to be seen, replaced by Sebadoh and Dinosaur Jr's Lou Barlow and Lara Meyerratken. This new incarnation is less about the noise and more about allowing Lee to escape some of the stultifying crap that has plagued his studio output for years. A return to his earlier DIY aesthetic as it were. And you can download the whole thing for free, all they ask is for an email address.
What do you think? Is it a new beginning for Lee or does the lo-fi veneer simply try to add authenticity to mediocre tunes? We haven't made up our mind yet. Would it sound better if you add a dash of Brad Wood?