Mysterious, darkly compelling, eccentric and obsessively dramatic, singer songwriter Damien Rice’s second album “9” is not an easy first listen. But then his debut “O” was also a slow building phenomenon. Released in 2002 in his native Ireland, that album went on to sell over two million copies worldwide before it peaked in popularity almost three years later. Some of his fans might be disappointed with Rice’s second album until repeated listens unlock the true nature of this brilliant follow up.    

The stark instrumentation sometimes coalesces into ear splitting symphonic crescendos before stopping on a dime and falling back on his vocals and a single instrument on songs like “Elephant” and “Rootless Tree.” His voice bends and breaks with aching beauty on “9 Crimes” and “Accidental Babies.” Rice’s songs rely on heavily on repetition but rarely on hooks or catchy choruses. On “Me My Yoke & I” he sings over a single electric guitar riff throughout the song. Leaving behind his avant-garde leanings, he does some straightforward folkie lilts called “Dogs” and Coconut Skins.” On the final song “Sleep Don’t Weep” percussionist Tom Osander extends the final note by playing a wine glass…for over fifteen minutes!

  With recurring themes of self doubt and recrimination delivered in lines like “what about me?”, “do I belong?” and “where do I fit in?”, Rice evokes enough sympathy to have his listeners worrying for his well being. How can someone so sad go on? It’s not the only question left behind. What are the nine crimes of the opening song? What is the significance of drawing an Elephant? What’s with that wine glass? And above all, what is it about this album that draws you to listen to it over and over again?   

Listen for a lot of music this week from Damien Rice’s “9” on Paul Shugrue’s new music show “Out of the Box” Monday through Thursday from 7pm to 9pm and Saturdays from 1pm to 5pm on Public Radio 89.5 WHRV