by Damien Rice List Price:$18.00 Our Price:$13.00 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Product Details
Media: Audio CD
Release Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2003
Label: Vector Recordings
Average Customer Review: 0 Based on 0 reviews.
Sales Rank: 65
Tracks
1.
Eskimo
2.
I Remember
3.
Cold Water
4.
Cheers Darlin'
5.
Amie
6.
Older Chests
7.
Cannonball
8.
Blower's Daughter
9.
Volcano
10.
Delicate
11.
Blower's Daughter
12.
Cheers Darlin'
Editorial Review
Irish troubadour Damien Rice doesn't so much reinvent the folk genre on this lush, impossibly mature debut album as push its boundaries in several compelling musical directions at once--all the more remarkable considering the album was largely self-produced and home-recorded. His songs revolve around familiar, bittersweet concerns of life, love, and their attendant frustrations, but delivered with conspiratorial intimacy on melodic wings (like on the graceful "Cannonball") that Rice seems almost embarrassed to share. If there's anything like a template here, it's "The Blower's Daughter," the song that first attracted the interest/stewardship of film composer David Arnold (whose guest production provides "Amie" with expansive cinematic elegance) and became a massive Irish hit. His plaintive vocal, embroidered by the mournful solo cello of Vyvienne Long, is suddenly brightened by an instrumental flourish and Lisa Hannigan's vocals--before just as quickly wafting on the breeze. With touches that range from "Day in the Life"-styled string collages to the dizzy, exhilarating neo-operatic excesses of the 16-minute "Eskimo," Rice's musical palate here is as adventurous as his songs are grounded in emotional intimacy. --Jerry McCulley
Top Customer Reviews
Rating:
4 The Best Irish Songwriter
The days when Rice fronted the now defunct tedious Juniper seem a long way off. It is hard to believe the same Damien Rice made 'O' one of the best-kept secrets of 2002. Recorded at his house and friends' places in Dublin over the course of two years, it sounds neither lo-fi or over polished but somehow he has created a happy medium without ever getting swallowed up by the principle of either recording styles. The names of the opening duo, 'Delicate' and 'Volcano', sum up 'O's gentle appeal and emotional intensity; where strings nestle down with acoustic guitars and Rice shares the limelight with singing soulmate Lisa Hannigan. This album has some for the best crafted song of last year and has rarely off my stereo. I have played this album to a number of people and they are amazed by it's beauty. It's an album that gets sadder with every listen and even more beautiful and but better too. Saying all that the album does tend dips in the later songs, there's more than enough pain and poise here to suggest that he'll be a fixture in your future. Advice to record companies sign him up now!!!
Rating:
4 O My!
Damien Rice's sweet debut is a lush, gentle beauty of an album. 'Delicate' is just that and a great opener. Rice's tender voice sweeps the listener up and lies them down with grace as the strings come in and soothe the mind. 'Volcano' may be the highlight with it's beautiful arange of strings, bass, drums and vocals of Rice and Lisa Hannigan blend and switch and come back together in the bonechilling chorus. 'The Blower's Daughter' is Rice at his vocal best and most vulnerable and what remains is brilliant craftsmanship of beautiful folk/rock sweetness. 'Cannonball' is possibly the most touching track as Rice sings, "still a little bit of your face I haven't kissed" and "Life taught me to die". Other highlights include the distant 'Older Chests', whirling 'Amie' and the finale 'Eskimo'. This is just the start of a brilliant new artist that I am looking forward to hear progress.
Rating:
5 Amazing!
Damien Rice is one of the greatest song writters of our time. This album has won a constant spot in my CD changer. The melody and heart he pours into each song make it so much more then background music.I would reccomend this album to anyone who has been impressed with the lyrics of Jude.
Rating:
5 Has Buckley been reincarnated?
I have had this CD for a while, but I didn't write a review simply because I really couldn't find the right words to describe it. I was so strongly taken in by Damien's' music that I literally sat still doing absolutely nothing for the entire length of the CD, including the stray songs way after the initial songs were over.When I play this CD it is like Damien is right in my living room, just playing and hanging out. It is that intimate.Damien's voice is, in a word, captivating! Once his voice has hold of you, along comes the angelic whispers of Lisa Hannigan; now there is no escape. Most of the instruments were played by Damien as well as the art work, proving that he is multitalented, not just one of many "singer/songwriters" out today.It seems the genre is getting flooded much like what happened to the "Seattle scene." Hopefully not destroying it like grunge was killed by commercialism.Damien has taken up the cross left behind by Jeff Buckely. Favorite songs are:delicateVolcanothe blower's daughtercannonballolder chestscheers darlin'i rememberBut make no mistake, there is not one bad track on here.a true rival for best of 2003
Rating:
5 A touch of passion and melancholy
I first discovered Damien Rice by watching the video for Volcano on VH1 and from that point this CD has become my favorite. The songs in this CD range from a wonderful raw character (The Blower's daughter, with its repetition of the "I can't take my eyes off you" line in different degrees of pain and with a subtle cello in the back) to the unexpected epic quality of Eskimo. This is a disc that keeps company of people with a broken heart (Cheers Darling), with memories of melancholy (Older Chests), despair (Delicate, Cold Water) or love (Volcano). His voice is passionate, his songwriting poetry and his music full of contradictory yet sublime feelings. This CD is a tremendous accomplishment in a music world where many singer-songwriters sound the same and where feelings seem manufactured. This is definitely a CD for those looking for an original approach of everyday sadness.
Rating:
5 great cd
I have been listening to this record for a few months now, and it's still wonderful. I would have to say that this is one of the best albums I have ever heard.
Rating:
5 Better than most else
Any more we hear the standard singer-songwriter on the radio and love them for a day. Sooner or later we forget their one good song, but Damien Rice is the complete opposite. He sings and plays with a true passion that is not easy to compare to anything else. I can feel the emotion set into the songs and this feeling never dies down. Listening to the CD made me feel like i was sitting next to him on the couch and he played solely for me.Anyone looking for great music that isn't tainted by todays sell-outs and yesterdays popular artists will do well to get this CD and not just listen to it, but experience it.
Rating:
5 My Constant Companion
This CD made it's way into my hands when a friend, an Irish singer, said if he could be anyone in the world, he would be Damien Rice. He put this album on and watched eagerly as I devoured it for the first time. Inevitable comparisons to Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, Dave Matthews and Tom Waits will be made, but Rice is a genre unto himself.Rice's voice is beautiful, and in it's human imperfection, convey's a world of deep emotion. The vocal style can change from song to song, but his ability to sing straight to your soul is always there. The lyrics are deep and they burn.'Cold Water' made me weep, I was so caught up. The Gregorian chant at the end was a perfect emotional denouement. 'I Remember' hurt, it was so good. Lisa Hannigan's vocals are woven together with Rice's in a perfect compliment. Her voice begins where his ends.Cellist Vyvienne Long adds a deep, grounding tone that is haunting.The acoustic guitar arrangement went from spartan to a wall of sound. The organic feel augmented the feel of the whole album.As my friend watched me listen for the first time, I knew I had a problem on my hands. What could I possibly do to return this favor?
Rating:
5 5 Stars because this is a wonderful debut
There is no way I can even think of giving this CD less than 5 stars. Damien Rice has crafted as close to a perfect debut CD as I've heard. The whole package here is just brilliant. The music - soft and sincere when in needs to be, loud and angry when it needs to be, and the lyrics - very emotional, very personal. The performances are also excellent... from Damien's guitars and vocals, to Vyvienne Long's cellos (celli?), and Lisa Hannigan's angelic vocals. I think the part that gets me the most is the 2nd half of "I Remember" where Damien's vocals are loud to the point of clipping over his acoustic guitar, while Lisa's harmony is frail and barely audible. The places where Lisa sings solo parts are definitely among the highlights of this CD (Volcano, The Blower's Daughter, Cold Water and I Remember). I'm not going to list my favorite songs from this CD, as there are no bad ones. I like how the songs run together, as well... The music seems to bring to mind such artists as Jeff Buckley, David Gray, Don McLean, among others.My only gripe is one that others have voiced. Why do people place "hidden" tracks within the last song of the CD? Eskimo is a great song, as are the two "hidden" tracks, but it would be nice to be able to select them or at least not have to wait a long period of time to get to them. Overall that is a minor point. This CD is just wonderful, excellent, brilliant and near-perfect. If you have a soul, it will be touched. If you don't, you have more serious things to worry about... lol... This one has definitely found a place on my "best of the year", possibly best of the decade list. Let's hope he can keep up the impressive work...
Rating:
5 Finally...
When I first heard Damien Rice I immediatley felt pleasantly confused and relieved, thinking to myself, "Finally someone new with passion and true emotion". I highly recommend this CD and hope more people discover this wonderful collection of songs. A true music fan will appreciate this one. Damien Rice's music is honest and full of heart. His backing vocalist, Lisa, is a purely gorgeous angelic voice that compliments Rice perfectly. The comibation of acoustic guitar and cello is simply beautiful. This CD has a refreshing classical feel that is delicate but full of power. The album was made to be heard loud from the first track all the way to the end. The songs are ordered to perfection and have a lot to give out to its audience. Don't miss out.We need more artists like Damien Rice and it's wonderful to know true artists are actually creating good sound somewhere. It's difficult to believe this is Damien Rice's debut CD, the possibilites are endless for a follow-up.
Rating:
5 Your Heart Will Ache And Your Eyes Will Water
From time to time, an artist or musical group will influence a new wave or genre.... Damien Rice has done just that. If you do not own "O", now is the time to purchase this phenomenal album.I'm an avid music lover. From Led Zeppelin, to Aerosmith, to Prince to George Strait.... My taste is all over the map. But, I've never been as drawn to an album as "O". The music of Damien Rice is simply beautiful. Your heart will ache and you may find yourself shedding a tear.Imagine Radiohead with a blend of piano, cello, clarinet, and guitar. Damien Rice has crafted a masterpiece. Lisa Hannigan adds a powerful, soothing backup vocal to the album. Songs like "Volcano", "Delicate", and "Cold Water" will leave an everlasting mark on your musical ear.Damien Rice will become a standout household name within 6 months. The world is tired of the bubble gum pop and rap/rock image.... Even Britney Spears herself has jumped on the Damien Rice bandwagon according to a recent interview. No matter what your musical collection may hold, "O" is a MUST HAVE album. Skeptics will become fans, overnight. This is the type of album you keep in your car for those lonely nights on the road. After listening to the 10 tracks, your total concept of time and place will be lost.Thank you Damien Rice.... Thank you for bringing MUSIC back to life.
Rating:
5 Loved it!
Damien Rice is such a talented musician. His music never gets old, you can listen to it over and over again. His soultry voice is always nice to listen to. I highly recommend it!!
Rating:
5 Too good.
Since I got this cd, it has rarely left my player. This is one of the most deep albums around. Even if you aren't listening to the words that he's singing, the sound alone will captivate you. I don't listen to very much in this genre, but this artist opened doors to people like Elliot Smith. The songs were recorded perfectly. Not a bit over-produced. At times he sings the notes slightly wrong or just doesn't hit them right. But it is how 'un'perfect it is that makes it work so right. On tracks like "Prague" (hidden track) newar the the end you have to turn the sound down, it wasn't mixed right and everything gets louder and distorted. But it sounds so right. So beautiful. Lisa Hannigan does backup and sings like an angel. Standouts include: Cheers Darlin, I remember, Volcano, Prague, older chest, and cold water which is a beautiful song about not going silently into that dark night. The second half of "I remember" will send chills down your spine. Overall, every song is outstanding. Buy this album, you won't be dissapointed.
Rating:
5 so this is what beautiful sounds like
When I first discovered Rice for myself, I couldn't believe I had uncovered this well hidden and truly musically beautiful secret. Its hard to categorize the album into best and worst, because of its lovely and intimate sound, anyone can enjoy this cd. After enjoying, I made a couple of copies and distributed them accordingly. And of course they were very well recieved and appreciated.After buying one for yourself, buy another for someone else too. You won't regret it and neither will they.This album opens with a truly delicate number that intoxicates your senses. The subtle guitar chords and cello accompianment throughout the record are amazing enough to hear over and over and over again. Imagery is defined as language that appeals to the sense's, and the tracks on this cd define music that appeals to your every sense. Its space in your cd tray will be well deserved as you will soon discover. Hannigan's sultry whisper and Rice's pure, lucid voice are each entrancing and together breath-taking. Damien Rice's album O is a rare find. The lyrics are about love, life, and strife, listen while Rice opens his heart to you and your ears.
Rating:
5 A heartfelt romantic worthy of the throne of Nick Drake
I first heard Damien Rice on (of all places) MTV2 while surfing the channels, and now I occasionally will watch in the early morning hours just to see if they have the balls to play it again. When I first listened to the album, I immediately thought the title of this review. It is simply that good! Jeff Buckley was good (if a tad overrated), and Elliot Smith was wonderful (RIP buddy), but this is the first man that can really hold a candle to Nick Drake. Perhaps what is most stunning about Rice is his ability to cross various styles of music on a whim. Of the first six songs, four start as folk songs, but then erupt into epic, fiery, orchestral pieces, in which Rice howls of his longing and love and lost love as if he truly means it. Meanwhile Volcano brings it down to a basic band with backing vocals from the beautiful Lisa Hannigan and cello, while Cannonball is just some fingerpicking guitars bouncing off each other. (Pink Moon) His sense of the soft, quiet romantic is also counterbalanced by his epic, desparate (yet never out of tune) screaming and howling for love in such a way that it simply gels brilliantly and just about covers the entire spectrum of human emotion.But it is the last four songs in which Rice really goes out there. In Cheers Darling, an atmosphere is vividly painted of Rice alone in a smoky bar, drinking down his sorrows. Then Cold Water throws you against the wall with Gregorian style chants which one could never imagine would ever be seen on a folk/rock/baroque pop/something else album. On I Remember, the at first folk song is as violent as it is soft, quickly transmorgifying into a grunge song with massive electric guitar feedback. Then finally there is the grand finale, and how grand it is, complete with an opera singer, a grunge track, and then Lisa's a capella, haunting closer that almost seems to tell the tale of a post-apocalyptic world that will literally give you goosebumps if you're listening to it at 4 in the morning in the middle of New York City.Like many well deserving bands, Damien Rice probably will never get the mainstream attention he deserves, at least here in the States. It seems the majority of listeners aren't adventerous enough to handle this cross section of music. Just the same, I prefer having this sort of romanticism and intensity all to myself and my group of friends anyway. If you have (or need) a girlfriend or wife, perhaps this will be a perfect album to court her with.
Rating:
4 Damien Rice-Near Perfect
Damien Rice plays an acoustic guitar backed by a chello in most of the songs and I must say its awesome. I am a rock fan. But after hearing this cd I couldnt put it down. Lets start with "Delicate".1.Delicate-The chorus in this song is amazing. The backround music to this song is beautiful. Towards the end he starts to yell the words and it is amazing.2.Volcano-We get introduced to the woman singing on the album as well. Together they sound amazing and I really love the 4 part harmony at the end. They do it with two voices.3.The Blowers daughter-Awesome Love song. He captures love in the one line-"I cant take my eyes off of you".4.Cannonball-cATCHy chorus, overall good song...5.Older chests-Great song,,, I really love the two part harmony between the lady and Himself.6.Amie-Most amazing chello I think in the backround...it sounds amasing with his singing.7.Cheers Darlin-One of the reasons this album is near perfect and not perfect....8.Cold Water-Best song in my opinion on the album, awesome lyrics and great harmony...9.I remember-Awesome song with the woman starting it off and almost changing the song later on when Damien comes in with his best performance yet.10.Eskimo-Second reason this cd is not perfect.11.Bonus song-Prague-Awesome and should have been on album sleeve.12.Silent night-also a bonus but it is reall awesome how good this girl can sing..Overall-Buy the cd...this album is def. near perfect despite two songs that i personally dont like..who knows you might like them and make this album perfect...
Rating:
5 this album is beyond beautiful
"You give me miles and miles of mountains/and I'll still ask for the sea" these words from the song "Volcano" on Damien Rice's new album "O" represent the lyric power that Rice has. In an impressive debut album, Rice has been credited with practically re-inventing the folk genre. Imagine sitting in a recording studio, watching a guy in a dirty button up shirt, not clean shaven, privately strumming his guitar and quietly singing to himself. If you can see that, than you have the tone of this album. The lyrics speak to anyone, when you sing about heartbreak and lost love, anyone can identify. That may be the only weakness of this album, and it's barely even a weakness because the songs are so beautiful, they are so personal and so scathing at times, Rice lets his heart hang on his sleeve for everyone to hear. The reason this album is so different from other "folk" albums, involve two simple additions. A cellist, and a female vocalist whose voice is beautiful by itself, but together compliments Rice's soft tenor perfectly. The album in a whole flows seamlessly, with lush orchestrations complimenting the simple guitar melodies on the song "Amie" and the soft spoken beauty of "Cannonball". Lisa Hannigans vocals add a quality to the songs that is gorgeous when their voices intertwine together on "Volcano", the first single off of the new album. The Irish born Rice is just starting to make a splash state-side. His album 'O' has been out for over a year in his native Ireland, but was just released in June here in the US. If you are lucky enough to be flipping through your cable some night and stop at VH1, watch for Rice's video for "Volcano", as he is one of the stations "Inside Track Artists" As an emerging artist, Rice certainly has the power to capture and create a following from listeners all over the world. The album is available at Wal-mart, and online. If you want more information on Damien Rice
Rating:
5 Haunting and Beautiful
Damien Rice has a beautiful Irish tenor voice. And it works wonderfully in his folk aranged album. He also has a female companion who harmonizes with him, and she is a fantastic vocalist. This album is composed of guitar, the two vocalists, some percussion, and generally a cello or small strings arrangement. That makes for a wonderful album to listen and relax to.The song-writing on the album is amazing. Rice writes songs like conversations and uses the wonderful (and beautiful if you've seen the video) female to sing the response. Many songs are about lost love or bad love or just love, but they are not just simple, stupid, pop love songs. They are incredibly crafted lyrics that can stand alone without music, which says a lot about Rice's songwriting skills.Buy this album if you enjoy folk/pop music. James Taylor, Angie Aparo, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, Gark Jules and David Gray are a few musicians I would say if you like you'll enjoy Damien Rice.
Rating:
5 The most beautiful album I have ever heard...
Searching for words to describe this album are like trying to count the stars in the sky. (I know it's cliche, but it works). This album is amazingly beautiful. Back in May I picked up a friend of mine in Chicago after she spent the semester in Ireland and the whole way home (a 3+ hour drive) all we listened to was O. After we arrived home, I decided I had to have the album. I ordered the import off amazon and before it arrived, I got to see Damien back in Chicago at Schubas. If the album itself doesn't amaze you, go see him live and you'll fall in love. Just a few more weeks until he plays Chicago again.This album ranges from soft ballads (The Blower's Daughter) to heart-wrenching rock (the second half of I Remember). Unlike many albums from folk singers, I think this one is best listened through all the way at once. While there are great standout tracks (Amie, I Remember, Delicate), the whole album tells a story. There is a gradual almost epic-like progression throughout that sends the listener on a roller-coaster of emotions.One of the greatest things about this album is the fact that Damien recorded this (mostly) in his basement over the course of a year. Instead of being thrown into a studio for a month to record the album using manufactured emotion (having to record on days you don't feel like it), Damien recorded each of the songs when he was "feeling it". That's why all of the emotion in these songs are SO real, so genuine. There is nothing manufactured about its sound. Another magnificant thing about it is the range of instrumentation and musical genre used. As I said, there are the slow, soft ballads, and rocking songs as well as Operatic elements (Eskimo)and beautiful orchestration in "Amie" and "Cold Water".From listening to the album and several live shows I have, I can tell that Damien does not have a powerful, controlling, confident voice. Rather his voice sounds strong at times, but is usually more reserved and cautious. This cautious tone makes the album all the more believable, showing it is true emotion that has not been overproduced or forced.I really can not say enough good things about this album and if I could give 10 stars, I would. As I said, my favorite tracks are #1 Delicate, #6 Amie and #9 I Remember, but there is not a bad song on the album.As one other reviewer already said, my only complaint is that the last song (Eskimo) has 2 "hidden tracks" [Prague, and Silent Night (a song set to the tune of the traditional Silent Night Christmas song, but with different lyrics)] that should have been seperate tracks finishing off the album with 12 instead of 10. But as my only complaint, I must still recommend this album.E-mail me if you have any questions whatsoever.
Rating:
2 'O'? No.
Almost anyone can be a Damien Rice. Every campus across America contains a few. You know, that broken-hearted pretty boy who's never without his acoustic guitar; always seen with his hair in his eyes and a poetry notebook in his hand. They've always existed in one form or the other, and, in all probability, always will. And Damien is their king. Armed with the aforementioned guitar and notebook filled with adult-contemporary "poetic" clichTs, Mr. Rice is ready and willing to spill his aching heart to anyone who'll listen. And, in all likelihood, it'll sound darn familiar. O is no-nonsense singer-songwriter slop, taking away everything that makes Five Leaves Left and Songs of Love and Hate so compelling and slathering the rest invanilla ice cream. Maybe I've listened to too much Jeff Mangum, Bob Dylan and Devendra Banhart lately to appreciate "normal" male vocals, or maybe I'm just sick of acoustic love songs in general (a combination of both, actually) but nothing here resonates with me, at all. He walks an odd line here, taking just enough minor chances to put him above the glut of mainstream singer/songwriters, but not enough to make his work memorable or praiseworthy. An oboe at the beginning of a song can't make up for its utter insignificance. And insignificant is an apt descriptor for everything off O. The album is consistently pretty, occasionally lapsing into `gorgeous', but it fails to make any major impact. The backing voices on "Cold Water" can't decide whether they want to be Gregorian chant or Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and end up just sounding stupid. At the end of the of the song they come back for a short backwards snippet that's absolutely terrifying. Not creepy in a good way; terrifying. The final track, "Eskimo" contains an operatic crescendo that is easily the album's best moment, but Damien unwisely decides to add not one, but two hidden tracks at the end. Even sadder, the first track would be one of the disk's better moments, but not when you have to go through five minutes of silence to hear it. The second, an acapella female version of Silent Night with completely different lyrics, is ill advised whatsoever. I'm sure this will appeal to thousands of angsty teen-age girls across America who are getting tired of their John Mayer and Maroon 5 CDs, but anyone who's heard the artists he apes here will know the better
Rating:
5 Humbling and beautiful
If you read all 240 some-odd reviews and you got to this one, congratulations on your dedication. I consider myself a very avid music fan and like to like that which others don't in order to make myself feel cool, but unfortunately, no matter how hard i try, I can't make myself dislike this album. I have been learning to play guitar and sing now for some time and the highest praise i can give Damien and "O" is that they make me want to quit right now. I know i could never achieve anything half as perfect as this album. I have several hundred CD's and if I had to choose just 5 to continue with, this one would be the first I would go for. It is a humbling, beautiful experience. Cant say enough....
Rating:
5 I wish i could give more than 5 stars
Damien Rice's voice, combined with the cello has the power to make you want to cry. I heard " Blower's Daughter" when i bought the " Closer" DVD. I didn't even know who he was but i sat in front of the t.v pausing and rewinding the credits to figure out who was singing the song. i immediately bought the cd and it has been a romance ever since. And for anyone who wants to buy the cd you should listen to the bonus track that comes after "Eskimo", just wait a few minutes after the song ends and another song will start. that song i believe, closes the chapter on the entire cd. This cd is worth buying, all the songs are beautiful.
