Sixpence None The Richer
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Mainstream pop with Christian influences
Status:
Most recent release, Lost in Transition (2012)
See also:
Sixpence None The Richer's Facebook page
Comparisons:
The Sundays, 10,000 Maniacs
Covers/own material:
Own material, occasional covers
General comments:
They sound very 'Sundays-esque' (mmm. tasty.). (jeffw@smoe.org)Sixpence is a band I used to listen to back in '94. A friend of mine that went to Point Loma in California exposed me. Their lyrics are usually taken from Psalms, and are done remarkably well. (hutchie@vol.com)
When I first heard their song, I thought they (at least from the lead singer's voice) were the new incarnation of 10,000 Maniacs. (jchigdon@mindspring.com)
Comments about live performance:
I saw them Dec-98 "close" for Imogen Heap—which is the way *I* thought of it. To be honest, I was not very impressed. I personally found them to be a little formulaic—but not without potential. (drewh@bitwise.com)
Recommended first album:
Sixpence None The Richer
Recordings:
- The Fatherless and The Widow (1994)
- This Beautiful Mess (1995)
- Sixpence None The Richer (1997)
- Divine Discontent (2002)
- The Best of Sixpence None the Richer (compilation, 2004)
- My Dear Machine (EP, 2008)
- The Dawn of Grace (seasonal, 2008)
- Lost in Transition (2012)
Sixpence None The Richer
Release info:
1997—Squint Entertainment
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Recommended for pop fans
Group members:
Leigh Nash—vocals
Matt Slocum—guitar, cello, multi instruments, Wurlitzer
Justin Carry—bass
Dale Baker—percussion, drums
Guest artists:
David Davidson—violin
Chris Donohue—bass
Tom Howard—piano
Peter Hyrka—violin
Sean Kelly—guitar
Phil Madeira—Hammond organ
Mark Nash—cymbals, hi hat
John Mark Painter—accordion, multi instruments, bells, oud, muted trumpet, hurdygurdy, mellotron
Al Perkins—pedal steel
J.J. Plasencio—bass, upright bass
Antoine Silverman—violin
Kristin Wilkinson—viola
Produced by:
Steve Taylor
Comments:
Lead singer, Leigh Nash, has often been compared to Karen Peris (Innocence Mission) and Harriet Wheeler (The Sundays), but in live performances she often adds a Edie Brickell-esque slur to her voice. She's not a powerful singer yet her passion always seems to peak through in subtle ways. The heart of Sixpence None The Richer's music, though, lies in guitarist/cellist and main songwriter Matt Slocum. Matt's songwriting usually consists of poetic and often dramatic narrative verse layered with glossy, rhythmic guitar coupled with lush string arrangements.
While "Kiss Me" is easily the most marketable song on the new album, "The Lines of My Earth" is probably the most engaging. In late '98, both songs were featured on VH1's Midnight Minute.
The band's music is often referred to as secular-tinged pop/folk but the only religious qualities one can pick out are those of moral aptitude regarding honesty, devotion, and kindness. The band now has to try and break free from the Christian-alt/Gospel rock genre entanglement they've been thrown into by radio and press with mixed tour pairings with John Taylor and Shawn Mullins—yet still staying true to their loyal Christian following with opening slots for DC Talk and Sarah Masen. I feel they're much less identified with the genre than maybe Mancy A'lan Kane and more in line with perhaps Morella's Forest with catchier hooks. (thecritics@earthlink.net)i got the Sixpence None the Richer cd too because it was on sale and i knew that after all the talk here i sooner or later would have to get it and cheaper is often better. so i listened and it must be just Veronica's Quirks on Parade night because you have to know that i am just rubbed SO the wrong way by most overtly organized-religion-ous music, no offense to those who love their deities but that is me and i am that. so shock be to someone that i Really Like this album! ignore the single if you must, pretend that It Never Happened and give the album a fair try. if you don't love "Love", i'll... um... i'll eat my hat, or i will if i can find maybe a gingerbread one or something. the last time i ate a felt hat i had hairballs for a week and my girlfriend made me sleep on the sofa. (winona@mildh.pair.com)
Some will consider it sappy, but the lead singer has a cute little-girl voice which lends a certain "adorable" quality to the songs. (Greg.Jumper@Eng.Sun.COM)
Thanks to Sarah Morayati for work on this entry.
