It's been 25 years since one of the most mesmerizing voices in Christian music broke into the ears and hearts of fans everywhere. I'm speaking, of course, of Tiffany Arbuckle, better known by her stage name, Plumb. To celebrate this landmark anniversary, I look at the debut album that started it all, and the extraordinary career that followed.
Beginning
In the beginning, Plumb wasn't the stage name for Tiffany Arbuckle. It was a full-fledged rock band for which she was the lead vocalist. Like other veteran acts like rock band Skillet who began in the mid-1990s, Plumb's debut is a bit jarring sonically for those who might know her later work under the moniker. With definite post-grunge influences, Plumb's first album has grittier guitar work and fewer obvious radio singles. Plumb's angelic vocals cut through the music and demand attention. Not to mention her vocals add smoothness and accessibility to many of the album's tracks.
Some Alanis Morrissette–a legendary rock artist–comparisons are bound to be made. But reducing Plumb to anyone's copycat wouldn't be fair, as her unique blend of emotive vocals and crunchy guitar rock offered a unique enough flavor to set her band apart.
With the band's sophomore album, candycoatedwaterdrops, they took a decided step toward the sound that Plumb would become known for as a solo artist. With a more acoustic rock sound, songs like "Stranded" and "God Shaped Hole," became legitimate radio classics. To this day, they are Plumb's signature songs. Yet still, they carry a musical edge that's often missing in popular music.
Rising
Plumb the band essentially didn't go beyond the second album. Yet Tiffany pushed ahead as a solo artist, continuing to use the name Plumb, and further evolving her sound. Her output of the 2000s developed her sound into a rather signature blend of emotive pop and rock, with dance remixes of her songs becoming especially popular.
Some of Plumb's most notable content emerged during this time. Songs like "Real," "Boys Don't Cry," and "Cut" spoke to dark and serious issues that young people faced. But songs like "Sink and Swim," "Free," and "Better" offered encouragement and pointed a path forward.
"In My Arms" came from an album of lullabies that marked yet another transition in Plumb's influences: motherhood. Overall, these songs helped to push Plumb's success further into the territory of a household name.
An Industry Veteran
The 2010s saw Plumb experience a resurgence in popularity, driven by a string of highly successful singles. A greatest hits compilation at the dawn of the decade could've easily served as a finale to her storied career, with songs like "Hang On" being climactic and intense. But Plumb wasn't ready to slow down just yet. She released "Drifting," an anthemic duet with Jars of Clay lead vocalist Dan Haseltine, a song that reintroduced fans to the artist after a several-year absence.
Then came the emotional gut punch of "Need You Now (How Many Times)," which could perhaps be argued to be the most successful song of Plumb's career. The album that followed was a fun mix of everything Plumb had become known for, and it secured her spots on big tours like Winter Jam. A worship album, Exhale, followed a few years later, followed by Beautifully Broken.
Throughout the 2020s, Plumb has leaned more into songs of encouragement for those--young women, in particular--who struggle with today's relevant issues. In a sea of negativity, Plumb's career serves as a beacon of positive influence.
As Plumb celebrates 25 years in music, we salute and applaud one of Christian music's greats, and eagerly await what she has in store in the future.
J.J. Francesco is a long-time contributor to the NRT Staff. He's published the novel 'Because of Austin' and regularly seeks new ways to engage faith, life, and community. He is currently working on releasing a brand new novel.
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