November 22nd, 2006
Pitchfork, Damien Rice and Irish albums of the year
Speaking of web reviewers, Pitchfork reviewer Mark Hogan doesn’t like Damien Rice’s new album. (1.9 is one of the lowest scores I’ve ever seen on the site in all the time I’ve been reading it). Rice and his work are mentioned in the same sentences as OJ Simpson, The Passion of the Christ and Elizabeth ‘Showgirls‘ Berkeley.
In the first paragraph Hogan says:
“Sure, the canny Irish artiste may have fooled a lot of people into thinking his ostensible watered-down coffeehouse troubadour shtick was boring enough to win a Mercury Prize, but a few of us know better.”
and then goes on to say:
“On 9, Rice makes a lot of mellow noise about being a liar, a cheat, and an all-around gloomy Gus, but his disclosures are usually too trite, his offenses too vague, ever to really ring true, and the songs’ assembly-line construction subverts any emotional impact. It’s as if Rice has conjured up every cliché from the genre’s past, only to immolate them all in a tepid MOR bonfire.”
Eeek - before summing up with:
“This album promises nine crimes, but at 10 tracks, it’s actually a bargain.”
It doesn’t matter that him, me and Twenty don’t like it - people, especially in Ireland, are still buying it by the shed load, which is why it’s no. 1 in the Irish charts this week. It’ll also pop up in those pesky ‘best of’ lists ( I hate them, but I can’t stop reading them, and I know I’ll cave and write one). In the next couple of weeks for reasons not related to this blog I have to start thinking of the best Irish albums of the year. Believe it or not, there were in and around 170 Irish albums released this year, excluding compilations and reissues.
So what would you pick? Would your list include Damo? Warlords of Pez? Twink for her ”Zip up your mickey’ demands’? David Kitt? Van Morrison? The Frank & Walters? Si Schroeder? The Frames?
Answers on a comment-y postcard please…
Update: Niall is looking for your votes on Irish albums of the year but I have to abstain. Bah.
November 22nd, 2006 at 12:15 pm
He’s taking his life in his hands saying things like that about Rice - the fans are viscious. Viscious!!!
Best ofs always have to incl. Frank and Walters and Divine Comedy
November 22nd, 2006 at 12:20 pm
Well hello stranger,
Are you still blogging?
I saw the Divine Comedy at the Olympia a couple of weeks ago and it was so, so good.
November 22nd, 2006 at 12:54 pm
Don’t remember half of what was released but I liked Snow Patrol, Glen Hansard’s solo one, Eoin Dillon from kila’s album and I’m considering buying that Director album.
November 22nd, 2006 at 2:41 pm
I just got the Warlords of Pez CD in the post today (I couldn’t be arsed walking all the way to Road Records from Parnell Square when I’m in town for work). I know it might sound like a total elitist I-was there-in-the-early-days snob, but ‘500 Titles’ was better. (And why’s the Harry Potter track missing? It’s childish, yes, but hilarious.)
November 23rd, 2006 at 1:14 am
I bought a couple of albums by bands that I got to see accidentally in dublin. bands like cowboy x, the mighty stef and miriam ingram. i also bought that oxfam album the cake sale with damien rice and glen hansard on it. it’s for a good cuase and has some nice songs.
November 23rd, 2006 at 9:26 am
The comments are acting a bit funny so it just chomped one from me wondering if anyone had heard Jinx Lennon’s ‘Gouger Nation’? He’s a totally unique character and writes these ranty songs about racism, going bald and modern Ireland. Can’t really describe it but he’s definitely not like anyone else.
Here’s his myspace page.
Macdara, it’s very hard to get some of the Warlords’ lyrics out of your head - “Old women with broadband/what are you searching for?”
November 23rd, 2006 at 3:37 pm
Its funny how much people loathe Damien Rice. I’ll confess I haven’t heard many of the 170 Irish albums released this year, I liked Jack L’s “Broken Songs”.
November 23rd, 2006 at 9:23 pm
“Macdara, it’s very hard to get some of the Warlords’ lyrics out of your head - “Old women with broadband/what are you searching for?â€?”
I do see what you mean, but riff/hook wise, it just isn’t quite there. I’m sure they’re great live, though (I’ve missed them a gazillion times).
Since we’re still on the subject of new Irish albums, Patrick Freyne and His Bad Intentions just released their debut, and I highly suggest it’s worth a listen (disclaimer: I have a friend in the band so I might be biased).
And James, it’s not really that funny how much people loathe Damien ‘Dodi Ma’ Rice. Because he’s shite. (Okay, that’s just harsh for the hell of it, but — even though it’s redundant to be completely objective about these things — he’s nothing special).
November 23rd, 2006 at 10:29 pm
You’re cheating young lady. Didn’t know outside help was allowed or I would have asked for it ages ago!
November 24th, 2006 at 2:01 pm
Can’t really describe it but he’s definitely not like anyone else.
Apart from Aidan Walsh maybe. Except his lyrics are more coherent. Funny how he makes marijuana rhyme by calling it marijuan.
November 24th, 2006 at 3:53 pm
I absolutely adore The Immediate’s album ‘In Towers And Clouds’ - a fantastic debut and it deserves some kind of recognition.
I’ve gone to see Jinx a few times, firstly because he’s from the town and then because he’s interesting!
November 25th, 2006 at 2:51 pm
got to be *Si* - coping mechanisms is *perfect*
November 27th, 2006 at 8:13 am
Ah young Rick, I already have my list of 10 compiled which I obviously won’t mention here. I have also zipped up my gob to refrain from yaying or naying any of the suggestions here.
November 27th, 2006 at 3:51 pm
You are SO organised…..
November 29th, 2006 at 10:36 am
Pitch(fork) is a *itch…sorry for that but lyrics is my favourite and as you know these journalists they play. They play the game. They do their job. They write what they hear from colleagues and some people. They dont sleep well sometimes…Its only a writings…But which journalist can write a song? Show me one simple one journalist who will be able to write such a song like Damien. Howgh. For me one of the best irish albums this year very near to Swell Season and very few others.
November 30th, 2006 at 11:06 am
I’d love to do a top 10 irish albums on nialler9 but I haven’t heard 10 good albums to qualify for this.. May be we need a reader poll or something.
November 30th, 2006 at 11:24 am
Niall, really? Did you like anything at all?
I thought this was a really good year for Irish albums and it wasn’t a problem coming up with a list of 10, but for undisclosed reasons, I can’t post them here. But when I find some time, I’ll stick up an ‘albums of the year’ list (without Irish ones and a disclaimer!). That is, if I can narrow it down…
November 30th, 2006 at 11:36 am
I like Stef’s album,, but there is a few dodgy songs.
Redneck’s Seven Stabs is great but is more of a mini album.
I’m actually listening to Kitt’s album stream off his site - it’s not bad at all - “Up to You”, “Say no More” and “Don’t fuck with me” are excellent.
Messiah J and the Expert and Deep Burial would be up there with the best of this year for me.
Haven’t heard the Immediate, Fionn Regan, Warlords, Frames new one.
I was disappointed in Si Schroeder’s album tbh, I enjoyed him more live.
Director’s album is bloody rubbish.
I’ve yet to hear Herv’s album but I love all his others stuff.
Oh and Dublin Guitar Quartet was excellent too.
All in all I might have actually heard 10 or so Irish albums. Any other nudges in what I’m missing out on Sinead?
November 30th, 2006 at 11:49 am
God, now I sound all Scarlet Pimpernal-ish and mysterious, but I can’t really say at the mo.
November 30th, 2006 at 11:51 am
ok, i guess i’ll find out in due course. no worries.
December 1st, 2006 at 8:53 am
i feel like i’m the teacher walking by someone cogging their homework….!
December 1st, 2006 at 9:55 am
Ok , so I’ve put my money where my mouth is..
I’m hosting a poll to see what people think are the top 10 irish albums..
http://www.nialler9.com/blog/2006/11/30/top-irish-albums-of-2006-poll-vote/
December 2nd, 2006 at 12:11 am
I’m looking forward to your Top Ten Sinéad so I’m hoping you cave :). I will be forever grateful to you for introducing me to Sufjan through your list for 2005.