- Audio CD (24 Mar 2003)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Limited Edition
- Label: East West
- ASIN: B00008O3BY
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (201 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 174,349 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
O is the remarkable must-hear debut album from Dublin-born dreamer and troubadour Damien Rice. Like compatriot David Kitt, Rice is evidently a major talent, one of a select breed of loosely-affiliated modernist folk artists for whom the words "traditional" and "singer-songwriter" are hindering terminological obstacles that need to be blown clean out the way for the sake of progress. Adorned with unexpected musical twists, pleasures and textures--particularly Lisa Hannigan's fragile vocal accompaniment and Vyvienne Long's sonorous cello--O's strengths lie not only in the quality of the songs--songs that could easily withstand the thrill-free "unplugged" process--but the free-thinking adventurism that decrees that segments of operatically sung Inuit (on "Eskimo") and drowsy God-like Gregorian chants (on the truly touching "Cold Water", probably a rumination on drowning involving a discourse between a dying father, daughter and the big man in the sky) should not be off-limits on pop records.
There are moments, too, of both unfettered savagery--"I Remember" begins with Lisa Halligan's yearning thoughts on a relationship before exploding with Damien Rice's retort, a vein-bulging riot of choleric rising to a climax of discordant strings reminiscent of "A Day in the Life") and embittered, self-pity--the doleful "Cheers Darlin", with its forlorn jazzy clarinet, clinking glasses and background cocktail piano. However, for those reluctant to march with the pace of change, the delightful likes of "The Blower's Daughter" and the Nick Drake-flavoured "Amie" (with a sweetly foliating string arrangement from Rice's second-cousin, the renowned composer David Arnold) offer a more relaxed route in to Damien Rice's strangely compelling world. --Kevin Maidment
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I'll be straightforward first off while reviewing this album - it's great. It's sheer brilliance. In this seemingly shallow world of music, here comes Damien Rice to save it all - separating himself from his contemporaries through the use of a wide instrument array, from delicate strings to piano; from acoustic guitars to clarinets. A superstar in the UK, this Irish singer/songwriter packs a heartfelt punch into his blissful, beautiful debut, simply titled "O".
Now there is of course that inevitable comparison to Jeff Buckley and David Gray... it's just too obvious not to be noticed. Like Gray, Rice recorded this in his bedroom because he claims he "doesn't like a commercial feel to his music." Rice twists many emotions into one in his music, and at parts of the disc you can almost hear the tears in his voice, most notably in the song "Older Chests". The strings at the end of "Amie" are something awe-inspiring, indescribable. And the line "I can't take my eyes off of you" in "The Blowers Daughter" could possibly be the most helplessly romantic thing said in music this whole year.
Rice chooses to add a bit more penache to his disc with the addition of a female backing vocalist- the harmonizing and intertwining of their voices are irresistible. Musically, he seems to be exploring all aspects of being in love- the warmness, the intimacy, and most notably, the heartbreak, with the second part of the disc focusing mainly on the heartbreak. The song "I Remember" is almost like the female in the relationship's response to Rice's sad lyrics in "Cold Water". But in the middle of the song, Rice comes back for the emotional peak of the disc.
This record may be a bit too "Sleepy" or "Downbeat" for some listeners, but the whole atmosphere on the record is quiet, yet intense. What's more, this disc goes further still - it tells a whole story. It's the most beautiful thing you'll hear all year and it may very well bring tears to your eye. It's almost like hearing the sequel to Jeff Buckley's Grace.
It would be a sin to give this album a less than perfect review.
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I, with a Group of friends went to the v festival. We walked across to the nme stage as rice was performing. Having never heard of the guy, we wanted to leave to the main stage. As we started of, I heard one of the most beautiful songs of my life, Cannonball. To hear such a wonderful song sung with such an amazing voice was truly special. I then bought the album the day I got home. After listening to it for about a thousand times, I can truly say it is the best album that I have bought by far. Songs such as the blowers daughter and cold water very nearly forced me to tears. A unique talent, Damien Rice is a wonderful change from the poor stuff (David Gray excepted)that is around today. I urge anyone who has an interest in music to buy this album. It makes your life better by its mere existence
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
i first heard of Damien Rice when I saw him perform his song "Cold Water" on TV on the Jonathan Ross Show. During the performance I was so amazed at how good the song was and how amazing his voice was. On the strength of this one performance I bought his album "O". When I put it in my CD Player it didn't come back out again- it still hasn't!
It is one of the most amazing albums I have ever had the privelage to listen to. Every song is strong and single worthy, there are no so-called "album fillers." The album is beautiful, emotional, delicate and touching. Songs such as "Delicate," "Cold Water" and "The Blower's Daughter" actually bring tears to my eyes. Every song is stunning and the whole album is a masterpiece. The sound is kind of folk,sometimes gentle rock, but always beautiful. This album is a must buy, a necessity in anybody's record collection. I urge you to buy it, you won't be disappointed, if you are, I'll personally give you your money bacK!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
SO DISAPPOINTED - AWFUL AUDIO - OBVIOUSLY ILLEGAL
Sooo disappointed!!!!! I first realised there was something wrong when, on MS media player, the CD name appeared in special characters I did not recognise. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Moonshine
Beautiful
This is a stunning album. I love Damien's voice and the songs are well written and produced and are full of raw emotion. Read more
Published 1 month ago by PinkMusic
Perfect
Found this on amazon for next to nothing, my copy had been well over played and skipped! Excellent CD lovely songs, really happy with my purchase
Published 1 month ago by DH77
No show
I would love to review this item as have been waiting for so long for it and it still has to be despatched! 22 sep I have been waiting since! No word on where it is.
Published 7 months ago by andrew
pretty dull
I am Like probably a lot of the people who have heard a Damien rice song somewhere on the radio, and thought, "hey, thats kinda nice" Not groundbreaking, but not annoying like most... Read more
Published 8 months ago by David Mcmahon
Best 'folk' album this century!
Calling this folk calls to mind the tedious wining of Joan Baez, yet Damien Rice's debut album O seems to lift itself out of the genral mediocrity of the genre. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Alastair Pinkney
Quick Reviews!
`O' saw Damian Rice returning to the music scene after a few years in the wilderness. From previous bad experience with bands and the pressure of record labels he wanted to make... Read more
Published on 8 April 2010 by carlosnightman
Excellent for romantic moments!
I'd already heard this albutm but hadn't bought it. Cant recommend it enough, simply georgous. Bought as a gift for my girlfriend (a wee bit for me too though). Read more
Published on 29 Dec 2009 by Mr. S. Japp
extremely disappointing
I bought this having read previous reviews. I'm a big fan of singer song writers and followed leads from Ray Lamontagne/ David Gray/Paulo Nutini. Read more
Published on 26 July 2009 by Lynne Badger
A Fantastic listen
I was lent this cd by a friend and within hearing the first song i was captivated. So strong was the emotion evident in the voice of Damien i felt guilty for not breaking down in... Read more
Published on 29 May 2009 by P. ROACH
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