Hands down, album of the year. No doubt in my mind. It's QUITE possibly the best album I've heard in the past 5 years. Holy **** I just can't get over how amazing this is. Its raw, its emotional, diverse and original and all without trying to be something it's not. I tried breaking it down song by song but after Rootless Tree I just wanted to enjoy the album again without having to worry about analyzing it. I dont CARE what you listen to, you'll find something to like on here.
After some sleuthing I think I've discovered the meaning of both album titles and the general theme of the albums. I've always assumed that "O" was a declaration of love centered around one person and the affects it had on Damien's life, and it seems like that's accurate. "The Story of O", as reference in Amie, is an actual book. The description I found is "The classic erotic novel, THE STORY OF O relates the love of a beautiful Parisian fashion photographer for Rene. As part of that intense love, she demands debasement and severe sexual and pychological tests. It is a unique work not to be missed." The author, Jean Paulhan, described it as the most fiercely intense love letter.
The meaning behind the title 9 isn't definite as far as I know, but I was doing some thinking and this album seems to have a theme of cheating. 9 Crimes is definetely about cheating, and its referenced in Elephant as well as some of the other songs that I've picked up. So then I was thinking what the significance of the number 9 could be to cheating and I realized (though I'm not sure if it would have significance to him as an Irishman) that there are 9 supreme court justices. So it would seem to me that he's laying himself and his crime out to be judged by the 9.
Post Edited (10-28-06 03:30)
