cheers darling

damien rice - o

finally, i am actually inspired enough to write about music. this album is the reason headphones were invented. it is simply too good to be true. i could lock myself in a room with it and never come out again. of course, this is probably expected from rice, who was the frontman for what is now bell x1. this album, his first solo LP, won the shortlist award for 2003 and was called the 2nd best irish album ever, right behind U2's "joshua tree". rice incorporates his raspy voice (think chris martin, but better), acoustic depth (think elliott smith, but better), haunting lyrics, great backup vocals, and perfectly arranged orchestral score into a nearly flawless record. the songs have a world of depth and clarity, and every time you go back, you can find something new. "o" is definitely a sit-at-home, quiet time kind of album.

this album could make a grown man bury his head in his hands and weep. seriously. i could go on forever about it. it is simply that good. get it now.