Damien Rice "O"
 

Sorry if this sucks, it's my first stab at a review :/
God, I'm bored.

Damien Rice "O"
2003 -Vector Records
http://www.dance-lyrics.com/ama/o_b00009v7p8.jpg

"O" is Damien Rice's first full-length album and arguably his best. The album seamlessly switches from stripped down acoustic folk songs to fully orchestrated numbers without losing it's flow or sense of direction. "O" is super charged with emotion from Rice that really translates through to the listener. To sum it up, O is beautifully done and one of the best albums to come out of 2003. Overall I'd give it a 8.5/10

Track List:
Delicate- One of the best days of my TV life was when I heard Delicate on "Lost," The first song on the album and one of his best acoustic songs probably to date. It speaks loads and you can totaly feel the emotion of the song when listening to it I'm going for 10/10
Volcano- Volcano was released as a single before the debute of this album, along with Delicate. Largely about giving and not being apperciated, "You give miles of mountians, and I'll ask for the sea." Beautifully done 8/10
The Blower's Daughter- One of the songs Rice is best known for, and was featured several times in the movie "Closer." Similar to Volcano as far as the tone/sound goes. 9/10
Cannonball- The intenseity of Rice's vocals gets stronger and stronger as this song progresses. Other than that, it serves as a filler on the album, and not one of his best. 6/10
Older Chests- One of the more upbeat sounding songs on the album. Nothing really stood out to me that would make it memorable, probably the weakest on the album, but good song nevertheless 6/10
Amie- Amie is a great pick for the centerfold of this album. Has a storybook feel to it and is accompanied by a beautiful string section. 9/10
Cheers Darlin'- Rice pulls off a perfectly done song about the loss of a lover, and quite possibly with the help from some drinks by the sound of his vocals. There is defiantly a dark personal reason behind this song, which makes it so strong. Soild and one of my favorites off this album. 9/10
Cold Water- Quite possibly one of the most hauntingly depressing songs I have ever heard. Through one of the songs Rice sounds like he is singing with a group of monks. If I ever wrote a movie I would have this playing during a death scene. Amazing 9/10
I Remember- The first half of this song is sung by Lisa Hannagian, and to be perfectly honest had me a little bored. But after about 1:30 the song picks up with Damien's distored voice and a mix of instruments which is completely different from the soft vocals at the beginning of the album. 7/10 (would be higher if the entire song was like the second half.)
Eskimo- Another gem on the album, switches from just Damien and his guitar to a full blown orchestrated event along with an Opera singer to end the song. The progressiveness of this song is pretty amazing, another 10/10 for me.

Hidden Tracks (Inside Eskimo)

Prauge- Another big song by Rice, similiar in style to the second half of "I Remember." 7/10

Silent Night - Entirely done by Hannagian. The song is her vocals alone and is basically the Chirstmas song "Silent Night" with darker lyrics. Beautifully done, 8/10

So there you have it. Thankyou and goodday.

I've decided to check this out...

YES.

I feel like I accomplished something now.

The way the songs and his vocal resonate is aboslutely incredible given the sparseness of the arrangements. I would love to see how it comes off live because it's such an intimate sound. This CD is one of the top most "moving" I have ever heard. Its beautiful.

Have not heard the rest except for cannonball, did not really like it. Hope that as I get to hear the rest, it would sound a lot better than cannonball.

he is just AMAZING, I seen him live and wow.

One of my favourite albums of all time. Just an incredible album. I love Damien Rice. 9 is a great album as well. Hope he comes out with a new one soon.

I prefer 9 as well. Its not exactly the music I want to put on often, but there is a time and a place. One of those albums you might pop in after your heart gets ripped out of your chest.

This girl said that he was the best thing ever and I should really check him out since I like Elliott Smith, I dunno Pitchfork gave it a 5/10. But I havent heard it myself.

I had high hopes for O but I must say I was rather underwhelmed. I found the music pretty conventional, the vocals somewhat lacking and the lyrics a little puerile. After my first listen I'd give it maybe 4/10.