2008-02-05
"Live from the union chapel" is not exactly a new release, on contrary, this release was originally used to promote
Damien Rice before his debut album "O" came out. So what is the cause for this so soon re-release? As much as I'm happy with the result, I'm not sure it's a question I can answer.
Rice's first album "O" was released in two versions. The regular one CD version, and the special edition version, including a bonus CD containing alternative tracks, demos and other goods. That, along with the release of this concert, not even promoting his latest album, puts Rice in a strange career positions.
The adding of bonuses such as demos, and unreleased stuff – such as live recording that has nothing to do with current releases is usually the doomsday weapons used for the re-mastered version of older albums. All kinds of artists that are currently non – creative, or stopped working at all, usually start digging into their archives in order to satisfy their fans with some more material to enjoy and collect. Considering that Damien Rice is a rather new artist in those terms, the release of "Live from the union Chapel" seems like wasting ammunition much to soon.
Live albums, are usually a trick made by labels to keep an artist in the public's conscious while being him some more time to figure out some new material for his next album. The question remains, why releasing this performance when they could easily release one of the shows supporting the "9" albums? I worn you, that there is no certain answer over the next paragraphs.
The listeners never actually got to hear "O" in it's direct, pure musical way. The single that promoted the album, "the blower's daughter" was also the single promoting the movie "closer", meaning, the radio and audience treated it like another pop song, depriving it of all possible real emotion or intimacy. This of course affected the whole concept of the album- everybody's just waiting for the hit single to pop up. An artist such as Damien Rice should be revealed by people who seek and care for the real singer-songwriter emotional type, no to be displayed like some hand to hand pop wonder. It's not Daniel Powter's "Bad day" that came out at the same time.
His next album ,"9", was received in a more quiet matter, and as expected, all the hit lovers never knew of its release at all. Eventually the ones who stayed by his side for the next album., were mostly people who stayed for his own unique works and the soundtrack gimmick. The unfortunate thing was, that many people have missed all the good things in Rice's first album. "Live from the union chapel" is the way to fix all that.
"Live from the union chapel" serves as an Episode 1 to Damien rice's music. Before the media has took over on his beautiful musical virginity. This album tries to fix what the damage the media has caused to his first album. This album feels pure and free from any trendy thought. This album is beautiful for itself
The concert, compiled out of 8 tracks, gives a glimpse to some of the tracks that will later on be issued in the "O" album and some tracks that wouldn't be on it. Important just as well, it gives us a chance to enjoy Lisa Hannigan hypnotizing vocals, and the dynamic duet between her and Damien, something that will be missed in future releases to this concert.
Roy Povarchik
