Sixpence's self titled debut album is like a masterpiece sculpted from a single stone. Matt Slocum intricately communicates the emotions of the lyrics through the music composition. The music flows elegantly to portray the mood of each poetic ballad. Trials have drifted away to reveal what I feel is the most complete album that has ever graced the Christian market.
Sixpence wanted to be released from a contract with REX because of confict. When REX filed bankruptcy and sold to Platinum Entertainment, Sixpence claimed that their contract was nullified. But REX claimed they were still bound to their contract. While waiting for their former label to release them, Steve Taylor grew interested in the band. Sixpence had impressed Steve when they covered his song "Bouquet" on the album "I Want to Be a Clone - A Tribute to Steve Taylor" back in 1994. As soon as they were no longer bound to REX, Squint Entertainment (Steve Taylor's new label) opened its freshly painted doors with an album that is sure to set new standards.
Steve's label brought in an array of musicians to mold each song's sound (including perfectionist John Mark Painter of Fleming and John). Instruments that are blended into the album are violins, viola, B-3, mellotran, wurlitzer, bells, accordian, pedal steel, buhl-buhl, oud, muted trumpet, hurdy gurdy, and cello.
If you've wondered what the band has been dealing with, then allow the first 15 minutes explain as the album opens with a beautiful written 3 song mural. In "Anything" Matt pens: "We're all crying and we'd like to know if we should pack our tents, shut down the show. Yes, we should like to see a burning bush type sign. But anything would be fine... 'Yes we should like to see you pack your tents, shut down the show.'"
"The Lines of My Earth" paints a picture of the bands agony: "The lines of my earth, so britle and fertile and ready to die. I need a drink but the well has gone dry... I should be our time. This fertile youth's soil is ready for rain. The harvest is nigh, but the well has gone dry. This is the last song till you tell me otherwise. And it's because I just don't feel it."
Leigh sings what Matt wrote as though they were from her heart. This is because what the band experienced together unified them in the end. While This Beautiful Mess was introspective on Matt's fears and struggles, their self titled album conveys that Matt was able to write about what the entire was feeling. The end result is a unified sound.
This album shows that a talented musician isn't necessarily one that can play loud and fast. Instead, talented musicians are capabe of reflectlecting texture and mood. Dale Baker and Matt Slocum show this on the album.
Thankfully, Sixpence didn't give up! If they had, we wouldn't be holding this saga in our hands.
Other coverage for this album
The Rebel Base 2001Reviewed by NathanAlong with Jars of Clay, Creed, and U2, Sixpence None The Richer stands in an elite class of Christian oriented artists that are popular in the secular world. Having escaped the niche market, they are better recognized than the average Christian artist can ever dream of being. That's why it's fortunate that they're so exceptionally good at what they do. What they do is make light and easy going…Exit Zine 1999Reviewed by Joel ThomasOne of the hottest bands in Christian rock today is Sixpence None the Richer. Formed eight years ago in Texas, Sixpence has a history of offering listeners introspective, meaningful lyrics over a backdrop of lush, sometimes dreamy and wandering, sometimes catchy, pop/alternative rock. Leigh Nash, whose beautiful voice provides those female vocals, sometimes sounds wondering and sensitive, other…The Lighthouse Unsorted 1998Reviewed by Alex KlagesAfter taking a couple years off, to finish school and to try to re-earn their artistic freedom, Sixpence has come back with an album which is, like their other albums, both lyrically honest and musically pleasing. Yet, within the first ten seconds of the first track, I was instantly aware that this wasn't the same as Sixpence's other albums. The album begins with an over 15-minute trio of songs…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Lisa Reid / Matt LaswellThe new Sixpence release sounds nothing like the last one. Why does it seem like we've heard that before? Just as the jangly modern rock of 1995's This Beautiful Mess marked a departure from the alternafolk of the band's debut The Fatherless and the Widow, so the much-anticipated Sixpence None the Richer is a step in yet another direction. Once again, the band has managed to transform its sound…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by James StewartWhen I heard that Steve Taylor was starting a record label, I was excited. I expected great things. Then when I heard the first band to release an album on said label would be Sixpence None the Richer, I could hardly wait for November to come. Well, it's come and I've heard the album. Sixpence's sound has changed quite a bit. After the wonderful rock album that was This Beautiful Mess, many…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Linda T. StonehockerAh, money & stability. What a difference the basics make, and money & stability are right up there on the list with food, shelter & clothing in order for a musician to be productive, creative, and heard by an audience. Steve Taylor's rescue of Sixpence None the Richer for his new label has provided these important elements which they take full advantage of on this, their third release. The pain…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Josh SpencerI've owned all of Sixpence None The Richer's albums for a while now, but I've never really been one to rave about their brilliance as so many fans do. Sure, they make some very well-crafted music, and Leigh's got a really beautiful voice, but for some reason I rarely reach for their albums. Ever since I got this newest one, though, I've wanted to play it every time I see it. Strange. I suspect it…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Steven S. BaldwinSixpence None the Richer has conceived a self-titled album as lush and beautiful as you can make without sacrificing the requisite modern rock energy. The songs are dramatic, conjuring comparisons to a more aggressive Innocence Mission in tone and inspiration as well as a stirring rock opera in realization. Leigh's wispy voice, Dale's deft drumming, (mostly) J.J.'s melodic bass, and Matt's ample…Similar sounding releases
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