A winsome and engaging collection of songs by a winsome and engaging band who will be sorely missed for their innovative work.
The Pros and Cons
- Pros - Three brand new songs, six more available only on other compilations
- Cons - Some songs that are not included. I guess we're never satisfied.
The Review
I came late to the party, I confess. It took me a while to discover this innovative and influential band; the loss is all mine. After their challenging journey through the snags and snares of today's music business and the pressures of fame and success, Sixpence None the Richer announced their retirement in early 2004. They leave a giant hole, but this excellent CD will help to ease our sorrows.
It's a generous swan song, containing 73 minutes of sheer bliss, as well as the usual surprises we've come to expect and appreciate from this highly acclaimed band. So much more than the pop tunes that have made them a commercial success, they offer here three sparkling new songs, any one of which would justify the price of the album. Opener "Loser Like Me" romps through its message of unconditional grace with plenty of joyful bounce. "Us" is more pop/rock, and the best of the three, "Too Far Gone", is a moody Beatles-esque offering that builds slowly and perfectly to its crescendo of rocking guitars.
Key songs are included from the band's early days, including "Trust", "Angeltread" and "Within a Room Somewhere". The delicate "Melody of You" is a wonderful inclusion, as is their tribute to the late Bob Briner, "The Ground You Shook". Also remembered here is Brian Wilson and his "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times", an appropriate nod to an artist cut from the same cloth. I suppose any Best of collection must include the ubiquitous "Kiss Me", but this one contains a Japanese version as well, originally made for a Japanese commercial. I know there's some irony in there somewhere. "Dancing Queen" is another surprise, though not at all an unpleasant one. All in all, this CD is a sweet sendoff from a band that mightily influenced the community through their well-crafted and charming songs, a la roaring lambs. Saying goodbye really is a sweet sorrow.
Kevan Breitinger can be reached at Wordsmith4J@aol.com.
The Basics
- Style: Alternative pop
- 18 songs
- Released October 26, 2004
