Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice takes his time when making a new album. Embarking on a solo career after his band Juniper dissolved in the late ’90s, Rice has released three full-lengths in the span of 13 years. His most recent, 2014’s My Favourite Faded Fantasy, finds the troubadour addressing the dissolution of his relationship with partner and musical collaborator Lisa Hannigan with heartbreaking honesty. The eight-song collection follows in the footsteps of Rice’s breakout album, O, and sophomore effort, 9; his lilting voice soars over finger-plucked acoustic guitars, with additional strings and pianos adding emotional gravitas.
Damien Rice (Photo by Lilja Birgisdottir)