Pretty 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 is truly the greatest form of flattery, then Sixpence None the Richer should be very flattered, indeed.
Rivulets and Violets is the latest project for former Dime Store Prophet axe man and noted album producer, Masaki. Together with Sam on bass guitar and tin whistle, and a host of talented guest artists, Masaki rounds out the band's full sound by enlisting the aid of not one, but three female vocalists, Jen, Mindy and Robyn. To be fair, principal lead vocalist Jen Hollingsworth is also credited for co-writing all the songs with Masaki. Notwithstanding the comparisons to the Sixpence sound, the Rivulets have created an extremely well crafted album with a relevant and reverent focus on reflections of faith and worship, such as "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
Fly on wings of blue birds
Soar through Heaven
Spin circles around you, my father
With you on a playground with you
Sliding down into your arms.
Although they haven't reinvented the wheel, they clearly know how to spin it. In the end, this project lives up to its title, and their combined musical talents clearly show lots and lots of Promise.
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
ReAL Magazine 2000Reviewed by Adam L.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…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 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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