Damien Rice
9

THE REVIEW

In an unspecified year between 2001 and 2003, "O" by a certain Irish singer-songwriter was released. At the end of 2006, "9" by Damien Rice, the renowned Irish singer-songwriter who produced "O," a debut that has become cult, was released. The anticipation is high, and the only one who seems to care little is him.

The opening is entrusted to the single "9 Crimes", and it is the faithful Lisa who reintroduces Damien's music to the public, a decidedly fitting choice; then, in the second verse, the wonderful, suffering, and uncertain voice of Rice debuts. The track develops with a crescendo of the two splendid voices that makes you think that if it starts this way, it will be hard to reach the end without crying with joy.

However, from the second track, everything returns to a more earthly dimension that doesn't entirely disappoint but somewhat downscales what seemed to be a new showcase of boundless talent.

The following 9 songs repeat what "O" had already laid out, no novelty, indeed many similarities, a sprinkle of American folk especially in some slightly more rock passages that seem to fill a void of ideas, which does not have the expected effectiveness but produces pleasant songs and nothing more ("Rootless Tree," "Dogs" "Coconut Skins").

This seems to be a transitional album from an artist who found himself in the spotlight without wanting it too much and therefore produced an album that even if it didn't sell a single copy, it wouldn't change his life.

Certainly, the beauty of the first work is such that tracks like "9 Crimes," "Elephant," "Grey Room," "Accidental Babies," "Sleep Don't Weep" make us feel emotions that in the next work we might struggle more to digest if there isn't at least a small (and necessary, given the talent) change.

I like to think that the 2 works are just a general guide to what Damien, Lisa, and the rest of the group do best, namely splendid live sets, where it doesn't matter which song they are performing or which album it belongs to because each will be adapted to the moment's situation and will have new and suggestive arrangements that together will produce the same emotions of well-being, suffering, or happiness...

Then we will also forgive them an eventual third work that won't present any novelties compared to "O" because deep down the various "Delicate," "Blower's Daughter," "Cannonball" hover in our hearts as if heard only yesterday for the first time.

If 5 stars for "O" didn't do it justice, 3 stars for "9" are too few, so I opt for 4 because there isn’t a single song that doesn’t deserve to be listened to, and at least half of the album (especially the ending) is of remarkable quality.

Recommended.