O is the remarkable must-hear debut album from Dublin-born dreamer and troubadour Damien Rice. Like compatriot David Kitt, Rice is evidently a major talent, one of a select breed of loosely-affiliated modernist folk artists for whom the words "traditional" and "singer-songwriter" are hindering terminological obstacles that need to be blown clean out the way for the sake of progress. Adorned with unexpected musical twists, pleasures and textures--particularly Lisa Hannigan's fragile vocal accompaniment and Vyvienne Long's sonorous cello--O's strengths lie not only in the quality of the songs--songs that could easily withstand the thrill-free "unplugged" process--but the free-thinking adventurism that decrees that segments of operatically sung Inuit (on "Eskimo") and drowsy God-like Gregorian chants (on the truly touching "Cold Water", probably a rumination on drowning involving a discourse between a dying father, daughter and the big man in the sky) should not be off-limits on pop records.

There are moments, too, of both unfettered savagery--"I Remember" begins with Lisa Halligan's yearning thoughts on a relationship before exploding with Damien Rice's retort, a vein-bulging riot of choleric rising to a climax of discordant strings reminiscent of "A Day in the Life") and embittered, self-pity--the doleful "Cheers Darlin", with its forlorn jazzy clarinet, clinking glasses and background cocktail piano. However, for those reluctant to march with the pace of change, the delightful likes of "The Blower's Daughter" and the Nick Drake-flavoured "Amie" (with a sweetly foliating string arrangement from Rice's second-cousin, the renowned composer David Arnold) offer a more relaxed route in to Damien Rice's strangely compelling world. --Kevin Maidment

Just thought I'd do my bit to reduce the ludicrously high star rating of Mr. Rice's dreary and vacuous disc. Lisa Hannigan does well to provide a good contrast to his dreadful vocals, but 'Cold Water' is the only song here of any merit; the rest is over-hyped tosh of the worst kind. May he sink into deserved obscurity as soon as possible.

The album is very much the same type of style all the way through, which helps the album flow together. The best songs on the album to look out for are 'amie' - a very sweet thoughtful song. 'cheers darlin' - which sounds like something you would sing down the phone to your ex after a few too many drinks. The very powerful 'i remember' which for me, really kicks in with damien rice's reprise. The finally of course you have the very radio friendly 'the blower's daughter' which probably made you think about buying this cd in the first place. To which i say to you, DO IT! DO IT NOW! you will not regret it, i guarantee it!

I am an absolutely huge fan of Damien Rice (hence the name!!) and can honestly say that this my favourite album of all time. I am the sort of person to only like a few songs from an album but every single song here is my favourite. They are hauntingly beautiful and real without suffocating the listener with fluffy, meaningless lyrics. I feel he puts a lot of emotions into his songs so that each one real feels like he is reliving the tales behind the songs each time he sings. His voice is so addictive that I find myslef craving to hear it on occasions- that is what this amazing album will do to you. It has got to be one of the best albums written in the last few years and needs to belong in everybody's collection!!

I bought this album after googling the title track to the depressingly bad film "Closer."

Blowers Daughter almost brought me to tears - as the lyrics are so beatiful and full of angst that they tug on your heart without any mercy what so ever.

The album [no exageration here] is played on my laptop 6 out of 7 days of every week since I first ripped it to my media player. I put it on whenever I want to clear my mind.

O is permanently in my multi changer in my car and I have subsequently enrolled my younger brother into the Damien Rice fan club.

Damien Rice has managed to become one of my top 5 artists of all time and will forever remain in that category.

Every track on the album has something to say, every line brings something to each track. O is an album you can play without the need to skip to your favourite track.

Honestly - once you are stung by the opening bars of Delicate you will find yourself entranced all the way through to I remember.

A perfect example of what can be achieved by an artist with true talent.

No need for production to improve vocals, no need for electronic equipment to invent a beat. Just a guitar and a vocalist with something to say.

Buy it.

This record was recommend to me by a friend.

After repeated listening I can only conclude that this recording is too dreadful for further words...