O (Damien Rice album)

Damien Rice was previously a member of the band Juniper, and upon its disbandment due to changes in creative direction, he took a sabbatical in rural Italy before returning to Ireland.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/damien-rice-sings-for-lovers-20030703|title=Damien Rice Sings for Lovers|first=Evan|last=Schlansky|date=3 July 2003|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129141615/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/damien-rice-sings-for-lovers-20030703|archive-date=2018-01-29|url-status=live}} He would meet with his second cousin, composer David Arnold who was impressed upon hearing Rice's songs and sent Rice's demo to music publishers to no success. Frustrated, Arnold worked with Rice to set up recording equipment for a home studio to make the album independently.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/first-encounters-singer-songwriter-damien-rice-and-composer-david-arnold-1.2055506|title=First Encounters: Singer-songwriter Damien Rice and composer David Arnold|website=Irishtimes.com|access-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107022108/https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/first-encounters-singer-songwriter-damien-rice-and-composer-david-arnold-1.2055506|archive-date=2017-11-07|url-status=live}} He describes receiving a $500 loan from his father that would be forgiven on completion of the album.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6958933|title=Damien Rice: From 'O' to '9' in Four Years|website=Npr.org|access-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107010706/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6958933|archive-date=2017-11-07|url-status=live}} The recording process included opera singers, Gregorian chants, and a heavy influence from Lisa Hannigan, at the time Rice's personal and professional partner.

Rice wanted to release the album without the backing of a major record label, believing if he signed such a deal it would compromise his future work, forcing him to move in directions he did not wish to.{{cite web|url=http://www.cluas.com/music/albums/damienrice.htm|title=Album Reviews - Damien Rice 'O'|publisher=CLUAS|year=2002|access-date=2009-03-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120025241/http://www.cluas.com/Music/albums/damienrice.htm|archive-date=2008-11-20|url-status=live}} The album was released as "CD-sized hardcover book filled with personal artwork, lyrics, and photos."{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/o-mw0000598611|title=O - Damien Rice - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729200620/https://www.allmusic.com/album/o-mw0000598611|archive-date=2018-07-29|url-status=live}} In 2003, it would get distribution support from Vector Records for the global release, a then-newly established label focused on independent artists.{{cite web|url=http://www.folkalley.com/archives/000120.php|title=Folk Alley (( Damien Rice Rereleases "O" ))|website=Folkalley.com|access-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116062139/http://www.folkalley.com/archives/000120.php|archive-date=2018-01-16|url-status=live}}

He later described his motivation as wanting "to forget about everybody else and make the next record that we're making just for ourselves again, because there's something about being in a space where you're not thinking of other people. You're just in a moment creating music and emotion and in a space with people you feel comfortable with. And that for me is the essence of what it is that we've done and what it is we do."{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1479584/irish-singer-damien-rice-wins-shortlist-music-prize/|title=Irish Singer Damien Rice Wins Shortlist Music Prize|website=Mtv.com|access-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729230457/http://www.mtv.com/news/1479584/irish-singer-damien-rice-wins-shortlist-music-prize/|archive-date=2018-07-29|url-status=dead}}

{{Album reviews

| MC = 80/100{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/o/damien-rice |title=Reviews for O by Damien Rice |website=Metacritic |access-date=7 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006181044/http://www.metacritic.com/music/o/damien-rice |archive-date=6 October 2014 |url-status=live }}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/o-mw0000598611 |title=O – Damien Rice |website=AllMusic |access-date=7 November 2014 |last=Spano |first=Charles |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222204410/http://www.allmusic.com/album/o-mw0000598611 |archive-date=22 December 2014 |url-status=live }}

| rev2 = Blender

| rev2score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite journal |url=http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=1742 |title=Damien Rice: O |journal=Blender |issue=18 |date=August 2003 |access-date=9 January 2016 |last=True |first=Everett |author-link=Everett True |page=131 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019125658/http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=1742 |archive-date=19 October 2006 |url-status=dead}}

| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev3score = A{{cite magazine |title=Damien Rice: O |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=18 July 2003 |last=Wise |first=Catherine |page=76}}

| rev4 = The Guardian

| rev4score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2002/aug/09/popandrock.artsfeatures2 |title=Damien Rice: O |work=The Guardian |date=9 August 2002 |access-date=7 November 2014 |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |author-link=Alexis Petridis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909184420/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2002/aug/09/popandrock.artsfeatures2 |archive-date=9 September 2014 |url-status=live }}

| rev5 = Mojo

| rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite journal |title=Damien Rice: O |journal=Mojo |issue=119 |date=October 2003 |page=107}}

| rev6 = Pitchfork

| rev6score = 5.4/10{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/6898-o/ |title=Damien Rice: O |work=Pitchfork |date=18 August 2003 |access-date=7 November 2014 |last=Petrusich |first=Amanda |author-link=Amanda Petrusich |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024080525/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/6898-o/ |archive-date=24 October 2014 |url-status=live }}

| rev7 = Rolling Stone

| rev7score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/damienrice/albums/album/291401/review/5941574/o |title=Damien Rice: O |magazine=Rolling Stone |issue=926 |date=10 July 2003 |access-date=9 January 2016 |last=DeCurtis |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony DeCurtis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422210428/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/damienrice/albums/album/291401/review/5941574/o |archive-date=22 April 2009 |url-status=dead}}

| rev8 = Slant Magazine

| rev8score = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/damien-rice-o |title=Damien Rice: O |work=Slant Magazine |date=3 June 2003 |access-date=7 November 2014 |last=Cinquemani |first=Sal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113063232/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/damien-rice-o |archive-date=13 November 2014 |url-status=live }}

| rev9 = Spin

| rev9score = B−{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JZ4ej5RmWFUC&pg=PA117 |title=Breakdown |journal=Spin |volume=19 |issue=11 |date=November 2003 |access-date=9 January 2016 |page=117}}

| rev10 = USA Today

| rev10score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{cite news |title=Hear the good stuff that almost got away |work=USA Today |date=2 September 2003 |last1=Gundersen |first1=Edna |author-link1=Edna Gundersen |last2=Jones |first2=Steve |last3=Gardner |first3=Elysa |last4=Mansfield |first4=Brian |last5=Barnes |first5=Ken}}

}}

O was released to critical and public acclaim in Europe and then globally.{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/ricedamien-o-2496048745.html|title=Damien Rice: O|date=1 July 2003|website=Popmatters.com|access-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729230356/https://www.popmatters.com/ricedamien-o-2496048745.html|archive-date=2018-07-29|url-status=live}} It peaked at number 8 on the UK Albums Chart, lasting 115 weeks on the chart, with two singles in the top 30 and "Cannonball" additionally peaking at number 9.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/12452/damien-rice/|title=DAMIEN RICE - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com|access-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729230410/http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/12452/damien-rice/|archive-date=2018-07-29|url-status=live}}

File:Damien Rice.jpg

In 2003, it won the Shortlist Prize for Artistic Achievement in Music, a then-prestigious award for albums that had sold less than 500,000 copies, though it would eventually go on to receive gold certification in America.

The video for the song "Volcano" charted in the United States on VH1's Top 20 Video countdown in October 2003.{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4PRN/is_2003_Oct_8/ai_n27660648|title=VH1's Music Radar; Wed., October 8 - Tues., October 14, 2003|date=2003-10-08|publisher=Find Articles|access-date=2008-07-05}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}

In 2014, John Meagher of The Irish Independent described the album as, "one of the great Irish cultural success stories of the decade."{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/damien-rice-hits-heartbreak-and-an-eightyear-silence-30267064.html|title=Damien Rice: hits, heartbreak and an eight-year silence |website=Independent.ie|date=13 May 2014 |access-date=29 July 2018}} In 2015, Donte Kirby of That Music Mag called it "an album that mined the vein of melancholy that comes from a relationship. If your partner just left you, if a close friend won’t pick up your calls or there’s an ache in your chest O might speak to you."{{cite web|url=http://www.thatmusicmag.com/damien-rice-o-2003/|title=That Music Magazine » Damien Rice, O (2003)|website=Thatmusicmag.com|access-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724093128/http://www.thatmusicmag.com/damien-rice-o-2003/|archive-date=2018-07-24|url-status=live}} In 2015, Paul Moore of Joe.IE describes the difficulty of retrospectively ranking tracks as "the whole record plays out as one incredibly atmospheric, haunting and immersive piece of music."{{cite web|url=https://www.joe.ie/music/o-by-damien-rice-is-13-years-old-this-week-joe-ranks-its-best-5-songs-483674|title=REWIND: O by Damien Rice is 13 years old this week - JOE ranks its best 5 songs|website=Joe.ie|access-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724063238/https://www.joe.ie/music/o-by-damien-rice-is-13-years-old-this-week-joe-ranks-its-best-5-songs-483674|archive-date=2018-07-24|url-status=live}}

Songs from the album are frequently featured, including use in over 37 television series and movies, and as of recently as 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1534568/|title=Damien Rice|website=IMDb|access-date=29 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416033043/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1534568/|archive-date=2017-04-16|url-status=live}}

• "The Blower's Daughter" was featured in the trailer for the 2004 Mike Nichols film Closer, as well as in the film itself.{{cite news|last=Morris|first=Wesley|title=On 'Closer' inspection, Nichols rules|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2004/12/03/on_closer_inspection_nichols_rules/|access-date=10 June 2011|newspaper=Boston Globe|date=3 December 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103162919/http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2004/12/03/on_closer_inspection_nichols_rules/|archive-date=2012-11-03|url-status=live}}
• "Cold Water" was featured in the 2003 film I Am David, in the end credits of the 2005 film Stay, also in the end credits of the final episode of the 2014 television crime thriller Prey and in the opening and closing scene of The Girl in the Café. In addition, it was featured in the 2010 French movie Little White Lies. The first bars are used to open several different scenes in aforementioned Closer.
• "Delicate" was featured in the opening episode of the 2014 television drama The Affair's second season, during the ending sequence of the third episode of House M.D's second season, and during the first season of Lost. In addition, it was featured in the episode "TKO" of Money Heist.

{{track listing

| all_writing = Damien Rice, except where noted

| title1 = Delicate

| length1 = 5:12

| title2 = Volcano

| note2 = Rice, Brian Crosby, David Geraghty, Paul Noonan, Dominic Philips

| length2 = 4:38

| title3 = The Blower's Daughter

| length3 = 4:44

| title4 = Cannonball

| length4 = 5:10

| title5 = Older Chests

| length5 = 4:46

| title6 = Amie

| length6 = 4:36

| title7 = Cheers Darlin{{'-}}

| length7 = 5:50

| title8 = Cold Water

| length8 = 4:59

| title9 = I Remember

| length9 = 5:31

| title10 = Eskimo

| note10 = Hidden tracks "Prague" from 7:07 to 13:00, and "Silent Night" from 14:09 to 15:57, sung by Lisa Hannigan

| length10 = 15:57

}}

• Damien Rice – vocals, piano, guitar, percussion, clarinet, production
• Lisa Hannigan – backing vocals, lead vocals on "Silent Night" (hidden track), piano
• Vyvienne Long – cello
• Mark Kelly – electric guitar, production
• Shane Fitzsimons – bass guitar
• Tom Osander aka Tomo – percussion, drums
• Caroline "Caz" Fogerty – djembe
• Doreen Curran – mezzo-soprano vocals on "Eskimo"
• Nicholas Dodd – conducting
• Colm Mac Con Iomaire – violin
• Conor Donovan – timpani, percussion
• Jean Meunier – improvisation, piano

{{col-start}}

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{{col-end}}

After the album's initial release and success, it was repackaged several times with additional material:

• 2003 – with bonus DVD
• 2003 – includes extended version of "Eskimo", which features "Woman Like a Man" from B-Sides, and brings the track's length to 21:42.{{cite web|url=https://us.7digital.com/artist/damien-rice/release/o-2 |title=O (2003) | Damien Rice | MP3 Downloads | 7digital United States |access-date=2015-07-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723005114/https://us.7digital.com/artist/damien-rice/release/o-2 |archive-date=2015-07-23 }}
• 2004 – with extra track "Cannonball" (Remix)
• 2004 – double album pack: O and B-Sides
• 2005 – with extra tracks "Cannonball" (Remix) and "Unplayed Piano"
• 2018 – Deluxe and Standard vinyl editions, with 2 O "hidden" tracks and 4 B-Sides tracks{{cite web|url=http://www.damienrice.com/o-vinyl-pre-order-announcement|title=O vinyl pre-order announcement|website=Damienrice.com|date=2 May 2018 |access-date=2018-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503113301/http://www.damienrice.com/o-vinyl-pre-order-announcement/|archive-date=2018-05-03|url-status=live}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Damien Rice}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:O (Damien Rice Album)}}

Category:2002 debut albums

Category:Albums produced by Damien Rice

Category:Damien Rice albums

Category:Vector Recordings albums

Category:European Border Breakers Award–winning albums

Category:2000s in Irish music