O is the name of Damien Rice's first album, originally released in 2002. Released in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom on 1 February, it has since gone platinum in the Republic of Ireland. The first single from O was "The Blower's Daughter" which was released in September 2001, before the album itself was completed. It entered the top 20 in the Irish charts. Rice wanted to make the album without the backing of a major record label, believing if he signed such a deal it would compromise his future work, forcing him to move in directions he did not wish to. According to Damien Rice, there is no special meaning in the name of the album. Reportedly, the name came to him during a bicycle incident and he enjoyed it. However, the lyrics of the song "Amie" mention "the Story of O," presumably a reference to the famous erotic novel of that name. The album has two hidden tracks, "Prague" and "Silent Night", which play after a period of silence after the last track, "Eskimo". The album is dedicated to Rice's friend Mic Christopher. Damien Rice's "The Blower's Daughter" was featured in the trailer for the 2004Mike Nichols-directed, Academy Award-nominated film Closer, as well as in the film itself.
Track listing
"Delicate" – 5:12
"Volcano" – 4:38
"The Blower's Daughter" – 4:44
"Cannonball" – 5:10
"Older Chests" – 4:46
"Amie" – 4:36
"Cheers Darlin'" – 5:50
"Cold Water" – 4:59
"I Remember" – 5:31
"Eskimo" – 16:07
"Prague" at – 7:09 (hidden track)
"Silent Night" at – 14:09 (hidden track)
Additional releases
2003 - with bonus DVD
2004 - with extra track "Cannonball (Remix)"
2004 - double album pack: "O" and "B-Sides"
2005 - with extra tracks "Cannonball (Remix)" and "Unplayed Piano"
