Critical Reaction
The album was released to mixed critical and fan reaction. NME gave the album 4/10, describing it unflatteringly as "IKEA Rock". On the other hand, Hot Press said, "If Rice really was a nervous wounded-wing, there's no way he'd skirt as close to Nick Drake comparisons as he does on 'The Animals Are Gone'" and, in a reference to the 'noise' preceding the first track, "there's another noise that can be made out faintly but distinctly—the sound of the Grays, LaMontagnes, Johnsons and the Blunts of this world breaking their pencil tips on their jotters in sheer envy and frustration."
Both Mojo and Q gave the album 4/5, with the latter branding Rice very much in the positive as "The King Of Pain". The Sunday Times made it their 'Album of the Week'. It was People Magazine's Critic Choice in November 2006.
Read more about this topic: 9 (Damien Rice Album)
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