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Rating:
THE REVIEW
I was fortunate enough to hear him live in a theater in Dublin a year ago, just after this album was released. I had never heard any of his songs before that. I remember the stage with a little man in the center with a guitar way too big for him, like a tiny Irish fisherman. Two cellos on the left, drums behind him, and that's it? Is that all? No, there's also his girlfriend who sings... And then? That's it. OKAY, I TELL MYSELF. OKAY, OKAY, I'M GOING TO BE BORED OUT OF MY MIND. I'VE GOT A BAD FEELING ABOUT TONIGHT. But why is there such a crowd?? The theater is packed, and he begins to sing....
The voice: incredibly deep, sad, practically a razor, so much melody, the cellos converse with him, they swap roles in a very, very sophisticated game. He asks, poses questions, and the cellos reply as if they were Damien’s mom and dad. Then she enters... Beautiful, she was his girlfriend at the time, now who knows... talented, and she blends perfectly into the game as well...
The simplicity strikes you in this album, the simplicity and elegance that clearly communicate what lies within every Irish person: humility, kindness, and the simplicity of many things, all with a touch of humor. Yes, because at Damien Rice's concerts, you have fun. He does nothing but joke with his audience, and right after, he freezes you with hints of Radiohead with a power that makes you sit up straight for a minute. Want to know the strongest songs? All 10 of them. They all leave a mark. 10 badass songs. It was my album of 2003 (bought in December 2002 in Dublin), and I still listen to it in 2004. Waiting for the next one, which is said to be more rock...
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Summary by Bot
The reviewer recounts an unforgettable live show of Damien Rice in Dublin, initially skeptical but quickly captivated by Rice's deep, melodic voice and intimate, cello-driven arrangements. The album 'O' is praised for its elegant simplicity and emotional depth, reflecting Irish humility and kindness. Each of the ten tracks is described as impactful and memorable, making it the reviewer's favorite album of 2003. Anticipation is expressed for Rice's upcoming, more rock-oriented work.
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 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.”
By Angeldust82
"O" is the brotherly friend that can console us.
Damien guides us into his microcosm, where searching (I didn’t say finding) for solidarity and mutual support takes place.
