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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
O
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 16 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 63 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Vector
Release Date: 10 June 2003
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Singer-Songwriter, Folk, Rock
Summary
This full-length debut for the Irish singer/songwriter has moved beyond his home country (where it was a massive hit) to attract critical praise and strong sales worldwide. Mostly self-produced and recorded, the disc also comes in specially-designed packaging including text, artwork and photographs.
Also By This Artist: 9
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Entertainment Weekly
Rice is both vulnerable and seductive. [18 Jul 2003, p.76]
All Music Guide
One long angelic hymn for an insane world with the intimacy of a friend playing guitar in your living room and the grandeur of Sigur Rós.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
With O, Rice has brought something new to the singer/songwriter genre: an accomplished sense of dramatics that keeps his music from ever becoming earthbound.
Read Full Review >The Guardian
Rice's personality and deft songwriting hoist him above the mass of bedsit mumblers.
Read Full Review >ShakingThrough.net
A gifted, natural performer, Rice has had little problem connecting with audiences, filling O's quiet stretches with a likeable persona developed from his previous life busking on the streets of Europe.
Read Full Review >Mojo
Rice establishes an extraordinary intimacy here. [Oct 2003, p.107]
Blender
This free-wheeling debut has the potential to run and run, carried aloft on the shoulders of the overly emotional. [#18, p.131]
Junkmedia
At times, Rice definitely over-emotes, leaving behind any sense of subtlety in his delivery. But at his best, on songs like "Volcano" and "The Blower's Daughter", he hits upon a perfect blend of warmth and expansiveness.
Read Full Review >Uncut
His folky, cello-soaked songs will appeal to David Gray devotees. [Oct 2003, p.116]
Rolling Stone
Songs that, for all their quietness, leave a dark, lasting impression.
Read Full Review >Spin
His single, "Cannonball," will be there for you after your next breakup. [Nov 2003, p.117]
CultureDose.net
Lucky for him, he has Lisa Hannigan on board on several tracks in this album--her breathtaking vocals almost manage to make this take of epic heartbreak to the backdrop of Irish lullabies worthwhile. Almost.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
The big, inescapable problem with O is that, aside from being derivative, Rice's songwriting is also unbearably repetitive-- he stubbornly relies upon time-tested singer/songwriter formulas (quiet acoustic strumming and sober, wavering vocals), and repeats them almost exactly the same way, every time.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 63 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
ruby e. gave it a10:
A stunning and seductive album, the most beautiful I own.
Chris gave it a10:
Well, the blowers daughter was written about his clarinet teachers daughter." The pupil in denial" It's mysterious when listening to the song unknowingly. But once you actually know what he is talking about when he's singing, it's a much different experience. And I know no one who can play and sing with such passion. Guitar isn't about technical skill. IT'S ABOUT PASSION!
Aniruddha B. gave it a10:
O has gotta be the best album i ever listened to... good enough for me to comment on it.
Matt W gave it a4:
wow... this sure was an experience. shitty cliched lyrics mixed with bad production values, not to mention Damien Rice is an incompetent guitarist (has anyone actually listened to the lyrics of the blowers daughter... eck).
Jenna H gave it a10:
This album is deep. Listening to the lyrics and the Damien's voice really bring everything together.
Pepsicolka h gave it a10:
great.
L V. gave it a10:
no doubt
