B-Sides

Album Review

After wooing critics in 2003 with his stunning debut album, O, Damien Rice built upon his growing success with this quaint B-sides collection. This EP features seven previously unreleased songs that are soul-stirringly classic of the Irish singer/songwriter. On record, Rice is a convincing poet with a wild imagination of love and wonder, but in a live setting, he is much more provocative and passionate. On-stage is where he truly shines. Songs such as the thorny relationship account of "The Professor & la Fille Danse" and the acoustic guitar waltz of "Delicate" are evident of Rice's rich talent as a singer, but also as a storyteller. B-Sides is exactly streamlined in production, so much so that a listener can be left in their own world when listening to Rice's music. Demo versions of "Lonelily" and "Volcano" add to that particular dynamic; however, the layered and dark falsetto-driven "Moody Mooday" is what makes B-Sides a must have. Die-hard fans and completists will most likely have this track in their collection, for it's originally featured on the "Cannonball, Pt. 1" single. But with that aside, Rice's and Lisa Hannigan's vocals weave around each other like magic, and electric guitars and Vyvienne Long's brooding cello arrangements find their place in this amazing chant-like number. If you enjoyed Rice's unflinching honesty on O, B-Sides will take you there once again.