Since forming in 1993, the Nashville-based band (started by Slocum and singer Leigh Nash), has released four albums, scored several hit singles ( “Kiss Me,” “There She Goes,” “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and “Breathe Your Name”), appeared on seemingly a million soundtracks, landed a platinum record and even earned a few Grammy nominations. But the band amicably parted ways in 2004, shortly after releasing their last full-length record, Divine Discontent.
Long in the making, Lost in Transition finds Slocum and Nash sharing the songwriting duties (along with musician Stephen Wilson, Nash’s husband). Transition also features a stripped down sound; the end result is a gorgeous mix of pop hooks, piano, acoustic guitars, a bit of country and a newfound and beautiful simplicity to the songs.
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Sixpence None The Richer: Lost in Transition| Posted August 07, 2012 Lost in Transition is an album that has been anticipated for almost ten years now by their most devoted fans. In 2008 the band released a four song EP entitled My Dear Machine, that had three of the tracks from Lost in Transition on it, and they also released a Christmas record that year. But that was really just a teaser and it left everybody wondering when they would finally release another full length, since their last was 2003's Divine Discontent. After label issues, an album name change (it was previously titled Strange Conversation), and four years of waiting to release the album, Lost in Transition has finally been released to the public and what a beauty it is.
Last year, vocalist, Leigh Nash, released a hymns project entitled Hymns & Sacred Songs that I had the pleasure of reviewing, which gave me one of my first real tastes of her voice. (The only other song I had heard by her was the famous, "Kiss Me.") One thing I noticed right off the bat when listening to her hymns record was how enchanting her voice is - you cannot help but be drawn in by it. Lost in Transition drew me in from the first listen as well. My favorite albums of all time are those that when you listen to them you are just like, "This is pure art." Lost in Transition is pure art that any music fan should be able to appreciate.
"My Dear Machine" opens up the record with some of the best instrumentals on the album - as I said, art. The song talks about love problems in a metaphorical way - comparing her, I am guessing husband, to a car that she let rust and neglected. "Radio" is one of my favorites on the record that has a more relaxed and almost remorseful feel to it where she talks about wanting to be with the one she loves. "Give it Back" is another beautifully written song with some of my favorite instrumentals on the album; and, "Safety Line" follows that up with one of my favorite songs as far as vocals go on the record. "When You Call Me" shows the band's more mysterious side, with what I would consider haunting vocals that just linger in your head. The song really slows the album down and could easily lull you to sleep.
"Should Not Be This Hard," for some reason, is my favorite song on the record. It sounds so much different than the rest of the songs on the album, but I think it is the fun-nature of the song that I have so fallen in love with. "Go Your Way" is a slower acoustic song that seems to have some country influences on it as well. "Failure" keeps with the slow trend slow; this one sees Nash looking back on her life wondering where time has gone and wondering what happened to her dreams. In reality it is a very depressing song. "Don't Blame Yourself" was written to her sister - "not by blood, but by sweat and tears" - giving her some sisterly advice, basically telling her she has her back and she should not blame herself for whatever happened.
The final three tracks of the album are a mixture of completely different sounds, in my opinion. "Stand My Ground" is another very tenebrous song, that is good, but can easily make you depressed. "Sooner Than Later" is one of my favorites on the album, that I have heard was written about Nash's father. "Be OK" is a very nice way to end the record; it is always good to end on a more upbeat song - especially when so much of the album is composed of slow and sad songs.
Sixpence None The Richer is a peculiar band that seems to have a way of catching my attention. Leigh Nash's voice is beautiful, and at times haunting on this album - in a good way. I love bands like Sixpence None The Richer where you cannot find another band out there that sounds like them; they have their own style and they really rock it. Lost in Transition is a fantastic album that I have not been able to stop listening to. If you are a fan of the group then you will definitely want to pick up the album, or if you like albums that are just pure art, then you should buy this record. You will not find another album like Lost in Transition; it is easily one of my favorite albums at the moment.
Favorite Song: Should Not Be This Hard
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from The Christian Music Review Blog. Click here to visit today!
Solid Album Full of Deep Cuts| Posted April 09, 2015
I purchased this album not having heard anything on it before; not anything on the radio, not anything on a previous purchase, simply because I've been a fan for some time, and appreciate getting to support artists that have "spoken" to me throughout my life.
The first listen caused some concern to me, because nothing, literally not one song, jumped out at me as a must-hit-repeat. Everything sounded good, like the guitars, the piano, the vocals, the drums, it was impeccably played and recorded. Sixpence's time away certainly didn't diminish their musicality, if anything, the tracks on this album seem sparse, giving each instrument and vocal the space needed to really do it's part, without taking away parts from any other instrument or vocals.
Eventually, through repeated listens, I have determined that this is just an album full of solid songs, and while I don't hit repeat on any particular tracks, I also don't reach for the skip button on any of them either.
If you can only afford one or two songs on the album, I would recommend "Give It Back" and "Radio", but my true recommendation would be to save up enough for the whole thing.
Thank you Sixpence None the Richer, for a surprisingly deep, honest and mature album!
THEY ARE BACK!| Posted August 15, 2012
Sixpence None the Richer is one of those bands that you just feel sophisticated to listen to. I remember being 11 when Kiss Me was super popular and they were just too cool- I grew up with them and they are one of my favorite bands- I was stoked when this album was coming out- Like most Sixpence records- I split it into songs i like/songs I don't- and if there is more songs on the like side- i say it was successful
My Dear Machine (which was on the EP) is great with the horns
Safety Line is stunning.
Should Not be this Hard is such a fun song-
Radio
Give it back
I do - musically is just goodness
I loved the version of Sooner or Later that was on the Dear Machine EP. This version is more of the "band" version and leans more to a country persuasion so I liked the straight up pop version
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