2008 Woodie Awards
Rice's '9' features clear vocals and raw emotion
Bethany Bohlin
Issue date: 11/30/06 Section: Entertainment
At last, Damien Rice has quietly stepped back into the world of meaningful music. Anyone whose musical preferences revolve around melodramatic male artists who wallow in self-pity and whimper out depressing lyrics knows Damien Rice is no exception to the broken-heart-on-bloodied-sleeve music genre. Four years after the successful debut of "O", Rice has released "9", a ten track album released on Nov. 14.
At first glance, Rice is using his sophomore release to rebel, as evidenced by a Parental Advisory warning. Screaming obscenities at the girl who betrayed him in "Rootless Tree" and with several references to bodily fluids, it is a wise choice to keep this album away from the delicate ears of children.
Setting the scene with the acoustic appetizer of "9 Crimes", the dedicated listener is reminded of the simple sound of "O" and is prepared for the full musical meal to be served on a silver compact disk. "9 Crimes" is an anesthesia for the heartache to come throughout the album. After the piano makes its opening statement, the smooth and delicate voice of back-up singer Lisa Hannigan starts off the experience effectively.
That the album begins with a female voice displays a singer who possesses confidence in his ability, which is by no means unfounded. Rice then makes his vocal debut, raising the emotional barometer and catering to the listeners who - at last - get to hear his voice.
The rest of the album branches away from the technique featured throughout Rice's debut album; a song that starts out simply and acoustic and then climaxes to a full symphony of emotion. Rice has decided to take a much more realistic approach to the album, with some strumming tunes that actually move along. Rice has some chances at laid-back radio hits whose lyrics will inevitably dominate the away messages of college females across the nation.
"Coconut Skins" is a chipper acoustic piece that has sing-a-long potential with both sexual innuendos and direct fornication references. "Dogs", which discusses the "girl that does yoga" who "lives with an orange tree" is another chance at a future hit with the lightness of Jack Johnson mixed with meditative observations.
At first glance, Rice is using his sophomore release to rebel, as evidenced by a Parental Advisory warning. Screaming obscenities at the girl who betrayed him in "Rootless Tree" and with several references to bodily fluids, it is a wise choice to keep this album away from the delicate ears of children.
Setting the scene with the acoustic appetizer of "9 Crimes", the dedicated listener is reminded of the simple sound of "O" and is prepared for the full musical meal to be served on a silver compact disk. "9 Crimes" is an anesthesia for the heartache to come throughout the album. After the piano makes its opening statement, the smooth and delicate voice of back-up singer Lisa Hannigan starts off the experience effectively.
That the album begins with a female voice displays a singer who possesses confidence in his ability, which is by no means unfounded. Rice then makes his vocal debut, raising the emotional barometer and catering to the listeners who - at last - get to hear his voice.
The rest of the album branches away from the technique featured throughout Rice's debut album; a song that starts out simply and acoustic and then climaxes to a full symphony of emotion. Rice has decided to take a much more realistic approach to the album, with some strumming tunes that actually move along. Rice has some chances at laid-back radio hits whose lyrics will inevitably dominate the away messages of college females across the nation.
"Coconut Skins" is a chipper acoustic piece that has sing-a-long potential with both sexual innuendos and direct fornication references. "Dogs", which discusses the "girl that does yoga" who "lives with an orange tree" is another chance at a future hit with the lightness of Jack Johnson mixed with meditative observations.
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Jen
posted 11/30/06 @ 4:28 PM EST
What an insightful and well-written piece. Truly an excellent review and reviewer!
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