Damien Rice @ Backstage 7.Mar.2004

Hello all.

Just found out about this and it might be worth a look. Any time he plays Ireland it's basically impossible to get tickets - and who knows, could be the same here in germany after this gig. Probably not though.

Here's a quick review thing anyway: http://www.eclectichoney.com/o.html

Some people (emotional girlies) go a bit mental about him, i'd say he's pretty good.

I expect tickets are available from the usual kind of places. But dont quote me on that.

Sorry - thought I would do that before Keydeck did...

Never heard of the guy tho - care to explain just a little about him here so I don't have to read the whole review...

Damien Rice - Brilliant. His new album is cracking, listened to it a lot whilst I was in Scotland over New Year. The nearest person I could liken him to is David Gray, in that its quite accoustic and mellow. Unlike David Grey though, his voice isnt so grating (DG's wasnt but after a while it becomes grating!). The songs are just lovely, and he occasionally has a fantastic female vocalist helping him along.

I highly recommend him, not sure if you can buy his album over here yet but I am going to try this weekend.

...I guess thats another gig I will definitely be going too.

that'd be the very lovely Lisa Hannigan.

I got his album (by the name of "O") here. Can't remember exactly where though, WOM or the top floor in Saturn, cause they're the only places i've bought cds. Listened to it twice, lent it to a girl, and haven't seen it since.

I heard something about him, but as you say Foxy, he does not seem so big over here, but then again, think neither was David Grey.

Well if he's along the same lines as David Grey, I will be up for that one, then again, this type of music is better for sitting at home and puffing something, just wondering off into another world !

Okay Jimbo, working makes my brain not work good so, i asked a mate to come up with a quick description. Here it is.

Like David Gray...except he has great songs, an ear-friendly voice, good lyrics, nice hair cut, a hot girlfriend, a nice album cover, a fan base that doesnt consist of soverign wearing, nike bearing, mexican tash wobblers and has fans who pronounce their constanants where applicable and doesnt add in extra ones for the sake of it like...cousint and pillit.
anyway, enough about people from Ballyfermot.

"Damien Rice = Deadly"

He went off on a bit of one there.

Hmmm...well, Foxy reckons he's good, and frankly, if Foxy says it then I better agree with it, so looks like I might go along...

P.S. I love Bonnie Scotland, and the good people from that fair isle...it is an island, right???

Had a good listen to Damien Rice's album 'O' last night. He does indeed have a lovely voice to listen to, his guitar is great and the girl who accompanies him on some tunes, Lisa Hannigan, has a fantastic voice.

However, he's f*cking well depressing!!! There's not really one upbeat song on the whole CD. The first of the two bonus tracks, 'Prague' lifts it a little, but only just.

Despite it's inherrent put-you-to-sleep or make-you-slit-your-wrists nature I really like it. I'm listening to it in work now in fact and I'll definitely get some more of his stuff.

The comparision with David Gray makes sense, but I'd disagree with knocking Gray as the previous poster did. Anyways, I'd say take David Gray, a fairly large dollup of Tanita Tikaram, throw in a portion of Luka Bloom and you'll be in pretty much the right place. Perfect for relaxing to, ideal if you like to appreciate someone who is passionate about what they do, a blend of honesty and angst, but don't expect to be dancing about the place. With a doff of my hat towards Crowded House I'd say it's simultaneously one of the most depressing and uplifting albums I've heard in a long time.

If there are a number of contradictions in what I've said above then it's unavoidable. Or as one of my favourite characters says, "It is beyond my control!". Listen to the music yourself and draw your own conclusions.

Can someone tell me, what is the connection between Damien Rice and Belle & Sebastian? Is it just a similar style of music or is there something else?