Have you ever had a CD that you put away for months at a time, only to discover you really like it? Such is the case with Promise, the major label debut album for Rivulets & Violets, a San Francisco acoustic rock band with some killer connections. Just what are those connections, you ask? Well, the major one is Masaki, who has been a producer for bands such as Dime Store Prophets, Five Iron Frenzy, The W's, Dryve, and The Echoing Green. It turns out that he doesn't just produce cool music--he writes it too!
Together with Jen Hollingsworth, Masaki has crafted an album filled with lyrics that break the "Jesus is Great" trend we find so often in CCM these days. Granted, they're a little hard to read in the liner notes, but I digress.
One thing I like to look for in a band is if they have their own definitive sound. Well, R&V doesn't. If you were to put this CD in right after Sixpence None the Richer, you would hardly be able to tell the difference. But that's okay. R&V pull off this sound remarkably.
Not content to stay with just acoustic guitars, however, Masaki has brought in a full string section, electronic drum sounds, and even a little electric guitar (gasp!). The mix is amazing--it's the kind of music that each time you listen to a song, you discover new little tidbits you never heard before. The vocals remind me of a cross of Leigh Nash and Sarah McLachlan--as R&V's Web site describes them, "dreamy."
The lyrics are solid and thought provoking, especially if you listen to 'I Hate You' without realizing that it's written to the devil: "I hate you dearly / the sun goes down / when you're around / I hate you dearly....." This is probably my favorite song of the whole album, not only for its great lyrics, but the sound at the beginning is an almost campy pop-rock type of sound, and by the end it blossoms into an incredibly lush landscape.
Lyrically, R&V is all about the grace that God so unselfishly gives us. They cry out, "Jesus, can you hear my tears / I can't express my need right now / It runs too deep oh so underground" in 'Touch.' I think the spirit of the album is summed up in the lyrics to the last song, 'Grace': "Dance in open fields / explore the beauty of your peace / to feel the dawning of the sun / to know the beauty of your grace / and I love you / my Lord I want to walk beside you / I want to rest inside your grace." Rivulets & Violets are obviously aware of the need we all have for this grace, and they communicate this quite effectively without sacrificing any musical quality.
Overall, it's a very solid album, and I'll have a hard time letting this one collect dust in the future.
Other coverage for this album
Bandoppler 2000Reviewed by Sucré MusiqueAt first, you might be tempted to say, "Is that a Sixpence tune?" The breathy, pop soprano vocals are definitely reminiscent of Leigh Nash, and at times, the guitars could pass for Slocum fingering. Nonetheless, R&V does not seem derivative. Instead, they envelop a style that is often attempted by too many bands that cannot carry it out as well as Rivulets does here. This album does not…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Chelsea LewisAfter many changes to Rivulets and Violets' band lineup and sound, their newest album, Promise, is a new beginning for the band. The new lineup consists of Jen Hollingsworth, Robyn Spitzer and Mindy Verdecchio on vocals, Masaki playing guitar and violin, and Sam Hernandez playing bass. The original band was the creation of Masaki, who had released an album called Rivulets and Violets, but that…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Kerry MaffeoThough freely compared with the likes of Sixpence None The Richer and Sarah McLachlan, Rivulets and Violets charms their way through their latest album replete with a variety of styles and musical influence evidences to comprise their latest, Promise. Although musically similar to others in their genre, Rivulets and Violets present a beautiful blend of sweet vocals, gutsy melodies and thought…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Steven S. BaldwinPretty and perfect; delicate and delicious. Layers of wispy female vocals harmonizing together smoothly. Waves of well played guitars, ranging from jangly to atmospheric. Deftly played percussion, poetic lyrics, and the occasional orchestrated flute, violin and cello arrangements. Songs that carefully combine mood and a touch of melancholy in an ultimately upbeat way. Sound familiar? If imitation…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Matthew RiddleRivulets & Violets' second release, Promise, has been a long time coming. I can remember going to a Dime Store Prophets/Model Engine (Black Eyed Sceva)/Dryve concert and seeing Rivulets and Violets' t-shirts for sale, not to mention hearing a few of their songs on a 5 Minute Walk sampler that I picked up about the same time. That was in 1997. I believe it was just Masaki and Jen Hollingsworth at…Similar sounding releases
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