Sound: Delicate, acoustic folk driven by Damien’s poetically pained sketches of post-relationship heartbreak, anger, regret, lust and love. Once again, he’s accompanied by Lisa Hannigan’s occasional lead vocals and frequent harmonies, along with warm string arrangements and a piano or electric guitar from time to time.
Heavy Rotation tracks: “9 Crimes”; “Dogs”
Medium Rotation tracks: “Rootless Tree”
Explicit Lyrics*: “Rootless Tree”
Recommended: Though 9 may not quite have as many hits as his debut, it’s a little more fired up. It even has some sections you’d consider hard rockin’ or explosive. Despite the energy level spikes, Damien’s intense songwriting, precious instrumentation and lengthy tracks dominate 9, and the whole experience can grow tiresome over the course of an album.
Grade: B

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* Noting of explicit lyrics is for the benefit of radio music directors or anyone else that needs/wants to keep their music FCC-friendly.