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THE REVIEW
By now, everyone knows.
I know it, you know it.
The dogma on which our society has erected its crumbling walls is called APPEARANCE.
Gyms packed with aspiring TV heroes and libraries where the imperious echo of time is the only perceptible sound.
Millions of friendships formed by moving two phalanges.
Everything is fast, TOO fast. The packaging is what attracts us, and the content is just its cumbersome consequence.
I'll stop here to avoid descending into tawdry talk-show demagoguery.
"O" by Irish artist Damien Rice, born in 1973, is the first of three albums that the singer-songwriter has offered us in 14 years of his recording career, as of the time of this writing.
In the music industry of the 2000s, such low productivity is a sort of epitaph for any artist.
Remember, one must constantly appear, right? Here, however, we are dealing with a master in the art of vanishing.
Assisted by fellow Irishwoman Lisa Hannigan, Damien guides us into his microcosm, where searching (I didn't say finding) for solidarity and mutual support takes place. Few are the elements that shape the ten or so tracks performed with an open heart and glistening eyes.
The delicate arpeggios of "Cannonball", sincere and fragile, and an "Older Chests" that gives you goosebumps are among the most representative aspects of the platter.
The strings, in a perpetual play of chiaroscuro, embellish the yielding "The Blower's Daughter", the disillusioned "Amie" accentuated by a masterful vocal performance, the soothing "Delicate", and the delightful "Eskimo" distinguished by an unexpected soprano voice.
"Like time, there's always time
On my mind
So pass me by, I'll be fine
Just give me time".
"Volcano", a story of unrequited love, is almost drum n' bass and quite dynamic.
In "I Remember", a verse sung by Hannigan transports us to a Radiohead-style finale.
The abyssal bass and brushed drums of "Cold Water" culminate in a crescendo of synthesized tenor voices, while "Cheers Darlin" is smoky, tipsy, minimal, and smells of triumphant defeat.
We all need comfort, a hand on our shoulder, a sincere smile when we suffer, and "O" is the brotherly friend that can console us.
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Summary by Bot
Damien Rice's debut album 'O' stands out in a fast-paced industry by embracing emotional sincerity and stripped-down acoustic arrangements. Collaborating with Lisa Hannigan, he creates a deeply moving collection of songs exploring love, solitude, and comfort. Highlights include 'Cannonball', 'The Blower’s Daughter', and 'Volcano'. The album acts as a gentle, brotherly friend offering solace in times of need. It rejects superficiality in favor of heartfelt authenticity.
Damien Rice
Damien Rice is an Irish singer-songwriter known for intimate, emotionally intense folk and folk-rock. He debuted with the album "O" and later released "9" and "My Favourite Faded Fantasy"; his work is frequently associated with collaborations and live performances.13 Reviews
Other reviews
By theego
The gems contained in the album are soundtracks for sleepless nights filled with poignant romantic memories.
Please do not call it new-acoustic! These little masterpieces deserve only careful listening.
By barrylindon
The voice: incredibly deep, sad, practically a razor, so much melody.
Want to know the strongest songs? All 10 of them. They all leave a mark.
By ZiOn
"Damien Rice hits the mark with a touching and superlative debut album."
"Stones taught me to fly, love taught me to lie, life, it taught me to die, so it’s not hard to fall when you float like a cannonball..."
By Mariaelena
"‘O’ is of such rare internal beauty, one of my few chosen albums."
“All the tracks are of equal equality and transport and thus can be translated into a single word… LOVE.”
