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BCCN - Sixpence
B.C. Christian News, December 1997
Sixpence the richer for pain
By Chantelle Olsson
- Sixpence None the Richer: Sixpence None the Richer, Squint, 1997.
HEALING can be a painful process. The palette of emotions is muddy -- anger, sadness, loneliness, bitterness, confusion, fear -- yet, on the fringe of despair, there is always our hope in God. Sixpence None the Richer's latest release is a gorgeous journey into grief. The music takes you down the spiral staircase into the basement of despair, but fortunately, the band never lets you forget the sunshine upstairs.
Two and a half years ago, Sixpence witnessed the financial collapse of their label, REX. An outside company quickly snatched control of Sixpence's contract and blocked them from recording. Stymied artistically, the band found themselves travelling further and further into an artistic wasteland. While receiving a Dove Award for Best Modern Rock Album and seeing their fan base develop, Sixpence faced the grim possibility of never recording again.
Yet, ironically in this age of anti-depressants, the best art often comes out of the worst despair. While past Sixpence albums have the beauty of a teenage girl, fresh and pretty, this album has all the amazement of a woman. Musically, they have pushed the limits of their alternative modern rock genre by incorporating new sounds: lush strings, Celtic instrumentation, Spanish twinges, intricate rhythms, trumpets, acoustic piano, accordion. Sixpence is Duncan Sheik crossed with Lisa Loeb with a bit of The Rankin Family and Spirit of the West thrown in.
Sixpence's poetics are stunningly beautiful and universally accessible. They have the flavor of the psalmist pouring out his heart to God, desperately seeking answers and solace, but clinging to God's goodness. They also have the punch and energy of anger that comes with loss.
In 'Lines of My Earth,' lead singer Leigh Hunt sings, with a voice both angelic and gritty, "I will not let them ruin me again." She "hungers for a drink" in 'Easy to Ignore' but "the world has gone dry." And then we see the band welcoming change in 'We Have Forgotten.' They are "beginning to like this [new] town" and are "feeling the cut" of the harvester's blade, eager for a fresh season. All songs weave together to show the reality of waiting to see God's will. There are questions and there is faith -- but will God deliver?
Obviously, considering the brilliance that is Sixpence, God is faithful. And with their new recording contract, on Steve Taylor's Squint Records label, it is only blue skies ahead for the band. Go buy this album -- let its beauty, faith and humanity envelop your soul.
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