Damien Rice: 9

Elly Roberts reviews

Damien Rice: 9Distributed by
14th Floor

• Released: November 2006
• Rating: 8/10
• Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics

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Already, the question has to asked. Is Damien Rice a one-trick pony?

The answer is an emphatic – Yes. But what a trick. His penchant painedapproach continues on what can only be considered ‘O’ part two. DamienRice doesn’t do poppy radio friendly tunes.

Damien Rice doesn’t do loud music very well. He doesn’t do grand album titleseither. What he does do – and this is the trick – is intimate, powerfullyemotive music that, eventually, gets under your skin. It’s not instant, buteverything is targeted to you, not at you – there’s big difference: few manageit.

Proof was his stunning slow-burner from 2002, which became a huge hit primarilythrough word of mouth. So, writing ‘difficult album number two’ must have adaunting task. Well maybe not, however there is one serious problem with thisalbum.

There’s a dangerous element of predictability coming through. Some might sayit’s his trademark.

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Overall the melancholic template remains the same. This may well be a moreinstant hit, though it lacks some its predecessor’s gems, i.e. The BlowersDaughter, Cannonball, and Volcano.

It’s also a brave move to have a guest singer opening your album. It does showsupreme confidence though. Rice works best on the quieter end of the decibels.With the gentle tinkling ivories and hushed songbird Lisa Hannigan, 9 Crimes(the first single out on November 20), is a song verging on total fragility -so fragile it’s about to shatter at any moment like the mutual adultery itcharts. So tender and beautiful, especially when the swaying violin kicks in,leading a gradual crescendo – a truly stunning start.

Strummed intro of The Animals Were Gone has some magnificent sweepingstrings and choral exploits, making it the CDs opus. In a similar vein,Elephant is his most pained offering to date. His wavering falsettoonly adds to the drama, punctuated by equally dramatic pauses.

Rootless Tree (with explicit lyrics) begins as an acoustic plodder,eventually turning into incredible sonic blasts by repeated chorus. Thingscalm down for Dogs, with his lightweight guitar supported by sublimestrings and catchy hooks. Back with frenetic strumming, Coconut Skinscould be confused for David Gray: it’s the most stripped back song here.

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Least effective is the brooding heaviness of Me, My Yoke And I – atotally cacophonous waster. Back at his most comfortable territory, simple Grey Room is most welcome, though it’s not a strong song by any means,again sounding like Gray. Accidental Babies is as serene as Rice canbe – a hushed vocal backed by haunting piano becomes a stunning pre-closer.

Peculiar endings don’t come more bizarre than the 20 minutes worth of SleepDon’t Weep, where (pointlessly) he only gives us about 5 minutes of a song,with the remaining 15 barely audible as is slides to a gradual end. Hanniganadds more stirring backups and a duet, leaving us in no doubt that Rice stillhas lot more in his cannon.

Damien Rice’s cave is very deep and dark, but he does let some sunshine in,occasionally.

Week commencing 13th November, it entered at No.4 in the UK album charts.

Weblink:damienrice.co.uk

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The full list of tracks included are :

1. 9 Crimes
2. The Animals Were Gone
3. Elephant
4. Rootless Tree
5. Dogs
6. Coconut Skins
7. Me, My Yoke And I
8. Grey Room
9. Accidental Babies
10. Sleep Don’t Weep

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