Ben Lee - 'Ripe' reviewed

"Ripe" Ben Lee New West Records Rating: 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)

"And for once in my life / I saw what I wanted / And took a bite / I picked the fruit from the tree / And it was ripe."

This lyric, which appears on both the inside cover of Ben Lee's new record and in the title track "Ripe," encompasses the overall theme of readiness and maturity that runs throughout Lee's seventh album.

Lee describes his style as "quality pop." Combined with catchy melodies and simple-yet-exposing lyrics about love and life, that is exactly what listeners will find in "Ripe."

The first single from the album, "Love Me Like the World is Ending," sets the mood for the rest of the record with its lyrics about living every day like it's your last - "Baby, can you hear the message I am sending / Love me like the world is ending."

The track is followed by several happy-go-lucky, I-love-being-alive songs.

With its combination of catchy, sing-along "quality pop" hits, sense of humor ("What Would Jay-Z Do?") and newfound maturity, "Ripe" brings a unique attitude to pop music and displays a pleasantly low-key and charming sound that is sure to be the perfect music for driving in the summertime, windows down.

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