FUV's New Dig: Damien Rice

My Favourite Faded Fantasy
Damien Rice
Vector/Warner Bros. Records

Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice quietly and willingly slipped off the music radar following the release of his second album, 9, in 2006. Now, eight years later, Damien has returned with his third long player, My Favourite Faded Fantasy.

Despite garnering a good deal of attention for his debut album, 2002’s O, Damien Rice managed to conduct his career under the radar. He had no desire to become a rock star and didn’t crave the rewards that come with such fame.

But for an artist whose preference has been to remain nondescript and avoid the spotlight, Damien’s music has always been grand in its scope. His songs are emotionally charged melodramas that speak to anyone who has loved, been loved and lost love.

My Favourite Faded Fantasy features eight songs, each built with layers of quiet introspection and powerful -- occasionally explosive -- passion. Nothing on the album is restrained or created halfheartedly. Songs take time to develop, building from a fragile whisper to a lavish crescendo. The album’s title track and “The Box” are two fine examples of chamber folk that starts gentle and tender and swirls into an intense climax.

There are some occasions when Damien allows the songs to stretch out a bit too long, like on the nine-and-a-half-minute “It Takes A Lot To Know A Man,” but most of the time the atmosphere of drama in the arrangements makes for a passionate, spine-tingling listen.

Missing from the album are the contributions of Damien’s former counterpart, Lisa Hannigan. Although her absence doesn’t take anything away from My Favourite Faded Fantasy, the dynamic she brought to Damien’s songs is a thing of the past. Damien turned to the legendary Rick Rubin for help producing all but one of the album’s songs, and Marketa Irglova, David Rawlings and Gillian Welch are among the many contributors to the album. The bulk of the project was recorded in Malibu, California and Iceland.

Damien Rice may have stepped into himself for a number of years, but My Favourite Faded Fantasy not only marks his triumphant return, but also reveals a renewed and reinvigorated artist at the top of his game.

More:

• Damien Rice FUV Live interview, 2014
• Damien Rice Studio A Session at WFUV, 2006
• Preview songs and/or buy 'em (all purchases benefit WFUV):