The Truth Is in the Cello

Tonight. 8 p.m. Damien Rice. Mann Music Center. Joygasm.

The thing that grabbed us back in 2003 about Damien Rice's debut album, O, was the cello. Having played the instrument ourselves for eight years, we are a sucker for the cello. And then there was his voice. That haunting, lilting voice that expressed so much in one verse.

What I am to you is not real
What I am to you you do not need
What I am to you is not what you mean to me
You give me miles and miles of mountains
And I'll ask for the sea.

When we heard those lyrics, we thought, "Must. Have. That. Now." Fast forward to November 2006, years after the cult following, which led to mass appeal, which led to that scene in Closer. Rice released 9 Crimes, and while it didn't serve as the backdrop to as many romantic nights as its predecessor, we dug the eff you song, also known as Rootless Tree. We think of 9 Crimes as the cantakerous sibling of O, but we don't mind that because we like a little attitude. And yet:

At night I dream without you
And hope that I don't wake up
Cos waking up without you
Is like drinking from an empty cup.

See? It still has its sweet moments.

Damien Rice
Mann Center for the Performing Arts
5201 Parkside Avenue
Tonight at 8
Tickets starting at $39.50

Image credit: Flickr user * Janice