9 - Damien Rice
User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 38
  3. Negative: 2 out of 38

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  1. AdamP.
    Jan 1, 2009
    10
    I heard of good music but this is a diffrent level. It arouses more feeling than poetry but tells the story better. Says it as it Is. Elephants was sensional
  2. TerrellW
    Sep 10, 2007
    9
    This is one of my favorite albums. Don't listen to stupid pitchfork damien is a great song writer and i truly love this album. Coconut skins and Me, My Yoke and I are incredible tracks. 1.9 ha!
  3. CarlyH.
    Jan 11, 2009
    10
    Pitchfork, i read your review, it was RETARDED. You have no REAL reasons behind hating this album. I hate you, pitchfork.
  4. DougR.
    Nov 13, 2006
    9
    The greatest singer/songwriter of the last 3 decades, in my opinion, is back. Although this album didn't turn out to be the angry rock album he initially intended ("Rootless Tree" and "MMYI" notwithstanding) it's even more musically diverse and largely different in feel from "o" in that the prominence of guitar to piano has reversed. The similarity several critics are hearing probably stems from 2 songs which are intentional continuations: "Elephant" (previously titled "Blower's Daughter pt.2" and "Sleep, Don't Weep" (the coda of "Cold Water"). Not as instantly engrossing as his debut, this record will nevertheless leave just as lasting an impression of his depth and genius after just a few spins.… Expand
  5. AhmedS
    Nov 14, 2006
    9
    This album is just great. It has chilling and powerful lyrics with the opening track "9 crimes". Haven't heard some of the latter tracks, but the upper half is just amazing. Well worth getting...i mean if you liked the 1st, most likely the 2nd album will do you real good.
  6. JohnR
    Dec 30, 2006
    10
    unreal!
  7. LukeC
    Dec 9, 2006
    9
    Damien Rice confuses. The first sound of his songs suggest an easy listening experience. His songs are not. They are intimate. They are awkwardly honest. They do not restrict themselves to a skewed portrayal of unbalanced beauty. There is awkwardness in the fact that you can identify with not only the beauty, but also every emotion you are not proud of. If you allow yourself to overcome this, listening to this album can work cathartic.… Expand
  8. davidm
    Mar 5, 2008
    10
    A quiet distrubing and challenging record. The album is sometimes too extreme for the general listener, but it's a gold mine of emotion when you're ready for it.
  9. StephenC
    Nov 14, 2006
    9
    "Anticipation has a habit to set you up. For dissapointment..." but i wasn't dissapointed by Rice's second album. Just like his debut he soars with passion and integrity (unlike a lot of solos today). He hasn't surpassed songs like 'Ami' but the album is still a pleasure to the eardrum.
  10. yorick
    Nov 14, 2006
    9
    very great album, daringly original... Nobody expected more of he same, i certainly didn't expect anything better... the songs have even become more personal, some of the lyrics cut like a laser through steel.. O was a more polished beauty, this at times is jeff buckley raw... so plain painful that one feels we have to worry about Mr Rice's well being. It is however also hopeful and down to earth. We couldn't have wished for more for that dreaded second album.… Expand
  11. DeboA
    Nov 23, 2006
    10
    This "9" deserves a 10! PItchfork and the other negative critics (while entitled to their opinions) have come down way too hard on the Irishman. It not only is more accessible but surpasses the greatness of "O".
  12. Carly
    May 19, 2007
    10
    amazingly beautiful. not as good as O but just about there.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
64 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 28
  3. Negative: 2 out of 28
  1. Amazon.com
    60
    Not quite as endearing as his raw and seductive 2002 debut.
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  2. Dot Music
    50
    "9" picks up where the ubiquitous and two-million selling "O" left off. Hoarse howling to acoustic guitar strumming; folksy plucking to bleeding heart mutterings; Radiohead-a-like moments pull of portentous, look-at-me pauses and full band crescendos.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Rice stands apart from the pack because of the genuine beauty and eccentricity of his tunes.
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