I think that the song is full of emotion. It's just a different emotion than what we are used to from Damien. It has more tenderness. I think he has said many times that a lot of the songs from the past he doesn't feel anymore because he isn't in that place anymore. Artist grow and change. As far as sounding similar to the Beatles, I can think of a lot of wonderful music that sounds influenced by them, but weren't they a pretty influential band?
And what if the Beatles had not grown out of songs like 'Love me do, or Please Please me?' Then there would be no Abbey Road. I go through moods where I listen to early Beatles, then moods where I listen to later Beatles. I love them equally. My favorite George Harrison song is 'My Sweet Lord' which he was sued for because it sounds like 'He's so fine' by the Chiffons, which was subconscious. I don't mind if he is influenced by the Beatles, but then again the only music I am obsessed with happens to be The Beatles and Damien Rice!