Damien Rice, the angry young man from Ireland, has released Live from the Union Chapel, his first official live album.
It is difficult to compare Rice to anyone else. His music is not the chilled-out tunes of artists like James Blunt: heart-breaking and confessional, it sounds even more urgent live than on his studio albums.
Rice is willing to take chances. Backed by several violins and a bass, and his long-time collaborator, vocalist Lisa Hannigan, he lets the mood swing from quiet and thoughtful to loud and furious, then back again, like the love-hate cycle of an intense relationship.
Beautiful renditions of most of Rice's signature tunes are here - Delicate, The Blower's Daughter and Amie from his 2002 debut O - with Hannigan's fragile backing matching perfectly with his whispery voice.
The pair switches roles on Then Go, with Hannigan on lead vocals and Rice joining in for the second chorus of this beautiful song of betrayal as it reaches its emotional climax.
Hannigan also sings solo on Nina Simone's Be My Husband and the traditional Silent Night.