#reviewoftheweek / Damien Rice - My Favourite Faded Fantasy

It's been a great while since folkie Damien Rice released new music, and what has been cultivating over that time is magnificent. Now, what helped him break out onto the scene is not what this album is about. This album showcases how he has grown and developed his sound over the years, while maintaining his core as a folk singer. Aided by the production of Rick Rubin (Angus & Julia Stone, Avett Brothers, Ed Sheeran), the singer/songwriter has been able to elevate the sound of his music and heighten the message of his lyrics. The title track and the first single "I Don't Want To Change You" are driven by the lyrics, while still being taken to the next level from a musical standpoint. One of the other major highlights of the album is "The Greatest Bastard." Damien Rice is an old soul, and this album refreshed everyone's memory that he is an important piece and part of the foundation of the current folk music world.