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I agree with the review below. I was not going to buy "9" due to the reviews on Amazon, but I did buy it in the end... Probably because I trust the musician to produce something he'd be proud to put his name on (in light of what I've read about him, his life, and his thoughts, this seemed a relatively safe gamble). And I'm not disappointed at all. What we want from Mr Rice is what he gives us in "9". Nothing more or less brilliant than "O". If you like Damien Rice's music, you'll like "9".

-A.

Rating: 4 out of 5

I have been wondering whether to get this CD or not as I have read some duff reviews, but i am so glad that i did.

It is beautiful and brilliant. The songs really make you think about what they could be about, but at the same time they have a relevence to us all.

I love track's 9 and 10. As someone who does not sleep well, I play these through headphones at night and normally drift off.

Track 10 (only got CD last week!!! Cant remember what it is called) is like a lullabye for adults.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Damien Rice's first album 'O' was for me, one of the defining cds of the last 10 years! So it was with some trepidation that I approached his follow-up, however, I need not have worried.

As with 'O', Damien's haunting songs of love, loss, pain and regret squeeze you emotionally and are touching on the most profound level. Lisa Hannigan's delicious vocals and harmonies add perfectly to the atmosphere he creates with simple, mainly acoustic guitar or piano arrangements.

There is however a new edge to his sound. 'Rootless Tree' is a case in point. It begins gently as so many of his ballads, charting the sense of loss at the end of a relationship before launching into an angry, hurt tyraid. Initially it jarred slightly and I was unsure whether I liked it. However, ironically this is probably now my favourite song on the album. The anger, angst in its lyrics: "Hate you, love you and all we've been through" so perfectly sums up the tortured anguish so many of us feel when love goes wrong...we regret, and we don't regret, we hate, yet we love. For me it is heady stuff!

His lyrics are beautiful as ever but have more maturity. The relationships he explores in these songs are fully grown. Damien Rice has lost none of his magic for me.

Fans of 'O' may need to give this a few listens before fully appreciating and enjoying the whole album. I know I did. However, it is worth the investment. Damien Rice still has integrity, honesty and the most emotionally intense and moving songs in the market today in my opinion.

I love this album!!!

Rating: 5 out of 5

This album is slightly more introverted and less easily accessible than O but still contains enough great material to be a worth a listen.

It may not contain the handful of outstanding tracks that O does but overall it is more consistent. Anyone who loved O will certainly appreciate this album.

Rating: 4 out of 5

9 didn't grab me as immediately as O.

The first track was absolutely beatiful and almost brought a lump to my throat.

Whereas O had no tracks that I would skip past, 9 does have a few.

That said - the album compliments O beatifully. Elephants is an aching song that I can put on repeat and listen to whenever I am alone.

Accidental babies is a triumph of story telling. Anyone who has ever regretted breaking up needs to listen to this song.

Coconut Skins is amusing and much lighter than some of Rice's other tracks.

Buy this album if you love Rice - you will not be dissapointed.

Rating: 4 out of 5