With the release of O, Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice has created what could be considered one of the greatest musical masterpieces of the 21st century.

Combining every element of the art world together to create a richness and intensity not seen in years, Rice’s CD is perhaps the best example of real artistry to be released in recent memory.

What first makes O a stand-out album is the poeticism of it’s lyrics. The honesty and beauty of each song have the ability to catch the listener off guard, causing them to skip a breath.

O’s first single “Volcano” only gives a taste of Rice’s musicianship. Lyrics like “You know when you’ve found it, there’s something I’ve learned, cause you feel it when they take it away” from “Amie” display the depth of emotion with which Rice writes.

Lyrical complexity is present on track four, “Cannonball,” in the touching words “Stones taught me to fly, love taught me to lie, life taught me to die, so it’s not hard to fall when you float like a cannonball.” While not as effective on paper, to hear Rice’s voice combined with gentle guitar and these lines is enough to leave the listener in tears.

This combination is what culminates the second beauty of Rice’s CD. When it comes to the uniting of vocals and instrumentation, O possesses an originality that borders on perfection. Rice’s voice illustrates a mesmerizing blend of longing and sadness, a voice that is the driving force behind the momentum of every ballad.

In addition, the haunting quality of Vyvienne Long’s ever-present cello is enough to break the heart of even the most jaded of listeners. Finally, the incorporation of thematic elements such as electric guitars and operatic solos are a huge part of what drives the CD to the brink of flawlessness.

Still, O is not Rice’s album alone. The lovely and delicate vocals of Lisa Hannigan, assisting Rice on almost every song, truly tie each track together. Whether it is on track nine, “I Remember,” a song which begins as a remembrance of love and ends with bitter cries of anguish, or on the rewritten version of the Christmas classic “Silent Night,” Hannigan is an integral part of O’s great success.

Unlike most CD’s, O must be listened to sequentially, track one straight through to the two secret tracks, in order to get its full effect. Each song runs seamlessly into the next, stories and melodies connecting with effortless clarity.

Whether for the poetic complexity, or the musical originality, Rice’s O is a masterpiece worth devoting time to.