Added to the rotation...

So last week, while watching Grey's Anatomy, and damn nearing balling my eyes out over Meridith's seeming death, I found myself quietly singing along to Meridith and McDreamy's tender moment. I realized, before my closed captioning confirmed (btw: I love close captioning), that it was Damien Rice's Sleep Don't Weep from his latest album 9.

I smiled inside because it was yet another reminder of how very necessary the UK's sound has been to my musical sanity and how prominent it's been in American television (well at least on Grey's Anatomy). Damien is just one of several other UK artists to have songs featured on Grey's Anatomy: Roison Murphy, Snow Patrol, The Chalets and others. Needless to say, this Northern Ireland native is in good company. So, of course I pulled my 9 cd off of the shelf, grabbed a glass of wine and chilled. It's been a week and I still can't stop playing it.

Damien Rice
I first discovered Damien Rice when I moved back to Chicago 3 years ago. I received a free cd sampler at one of the many chicago festivals I attended. The sampler was an eclectic mix of new and relatively unknown artists of all genres. Well, I gave it a listen a few times and was kind of impressed with some of what I heard, Damien's track being one of them. I forgot about Damien for a very long time until earlier this year when he performed on one of the late night talk shows. The next day, I ordered his latest cd 9.

I love 9. It's such a moving collection of songs. His music is a little bit of blues meets folk style. I'm also reminded of Sade a bit everytime I hear his voice. Both artists' music exuth a quiet, yet potent blend of emotions. You can't help but feel deeply what their songs are conveying. If you aren't up on Damien Rice, then check it out. I'm so glad that my favorite tv show reminded, of one of my new favorite artists.