Early Years

Sixpence None The Richer | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 25, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Compendia
• ASIN: B0006UEVEA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #503,902 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Before achieving mainstream success based on the exceptionally catchy late ‘90s song "Kiss Me," Sixpence was an excellent, thoughtful guitar-driven Christian rock band. Of course, they remained an excellent Christian rock band after the success of that song, but some fans were upset that their hit crossover tune was about kissing. This sampling of their early material is an unerring selection that finds mature lyrics that go beyond the realm of traditional Christian rock, though not too far beyond it as to insult conservative listeners. Those words are paired with beautiful pop-rock that, while not the most inventive music ever, is fabulous nonetheless. Sixpence were one of the best Christian rock bands in the ‘90s, and this CD will show you why. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Afffordable Introduction to the Early Sixpence, January 26, 2005

By 

Greg Carpenter (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Early Years (Audio CD)

If you want just once CD of the best tracks from the band's first three releases on R.E.X. Music (2 full-length albums and one e.p.) and you're short on cash, you can't go wrong with this affordably priced collection.

I would recommend, however, that you spend a few more dollars and pick up the Sixpence None The Richer Mega 3 collection which I recommended above. The Mega 3 collection has the band's first 3 releases in their entirety for the price of one CD. The artwork on the Mega 3 collection is bare bones, but the music is all there.

Early Years differs from the previous R.E.X. years collection, Portrait, in that it is more affordable and has original artwork. Tracklistings are virtually the same with Portrait having more songs, but a higher price tag and recycled artowrk.

No two Sixpence albums are alike, and their back catalog on R.E.X. label is a treasury of beautiful music. From the contemplative tone of band's debut, The Fatherless And The Widow, to the angst and energy of the follow-up, This Beautiful Mess, Sixpence never got hung up on a formula. The Tickets For A Prayer Wheel e.p. gave the fans a glimpse at This Beautiful Mess outtakes and home studio recordings that stand up with the best of their professional studio album cuts.

I can only give the release 3 stars because the tracklisting is too short, and the cover art, while attractive, is bordering on generic. Also, there is nothing new on offer that Sixpence fans do not have already. In comparison, the collection of Sixpence's Squint years, Best Of, is a far more solid collection with creative, original artwork, a generous track listing, an essay on the band's career and unreleased songs.