Damien Rice Expands His Sound on ‘My Favourite Faded Fantasy’

Gerry Doot

After an eight-year break, Irish singer/songwriter Damien Rice is finally back again to release his third album, “My Favourite Faded Fantasy.” The album composed of eight tracks will be released Nov. 11.

Damien Rice’s career initially started with the mild success of his ‘90s rock band Juniper, who charted in Ireland and the U.K. Rice had been writing music that was more mellow and moody, however the band’s record label wanted songs that were faster, heavier and more marketable. After a period of fighting with their record label over the band’s content, Rice left the band to focus on solo work.

Since his departure from Juniper in 1998, Rice has put together a body of work that really shows his personality and depth as an artist. Since his debut solo effort in 2002, he has released three studio albums, two live albums and a collection of B-Sides. His latest album, “My Favourite Fantasy,” stays true to the artist’s sound and feel while exploring new sonic ground, expanding his range as a musician.

“My Favourite Faded Fantasy” opens up with the title track. It is a six-minute epic that pushes and pulls dynamically and expresses an intimacy that dances along the line between sweet and creepy. The lyrics detail the highlights of of a lover’s attributes, calling the object of his affection everything from his “favourite taste” to his “poison,” “cross” and “razorblade.” It displays such a range of emotions lyrically that the listener almost misses the music complexity… almost. It is hard to ignore the songs’ dramatic build as the violin squeaks in a suspenseful tone over the hammering drums.

Another standout track is “The Box.” In the chorus Rice claims “I have tried but I don’t fit into this box I’m living with.” This seems to coincide with the theme of his earlier career struggle of being handed a sound to produce and not finding a connection. Of course this is a general theme of not belonging, but Rice’s ability to make it sound so personal, intimate and painful proves to be endearing and will hit close to home for nearly anyone who listens.

Damien Rice has a way of focusing on universal struggles and turning them into intimate pieces of art that connect personal stories to anyone questioning their own lives. There is true pain and wonder behind his words and notes. “My Favourite Faded Fantasy” is an album that brings Damien Rice to new heights as a songwriter and recording artist while connecting to anyone with the willingness to hear his story.

Damien Rice’s ‘My Favourite Faded Fantasy’ will be released Nov. 11.