Customer Reviews

The Fatherless And The Widow

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
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Most people think of Sixpence as a new band, with their hits "Kiss Me" and "There She Goes" seemingly coming from out of nowhere to being played all over mainstream radio. But the truth is, Sixpence has been around for years. TFATW is their first CD and is a stellar debut. Their earlier stuff is very different from their latest album, but still shines with the ethereal vocals of Leigh Bingham (Nash) and the poetic lyrics of Matt Slocum, who also plays guitar. This album sounds a bit like the Sundays with a hint of 80's-era U2 mixed in. Definitely worth checking out. Also check out their second album, "This Beautiful Mess".

I love buying a band's first album after I've become a fan of later works - it's always fun to hear where my favourite groups started out. For example, I first became a fan of Sixpence through their second record, "This Beautiful Mess". I loved the juxtaposition of Leigh's sweet voice against hard guitars and intelligent, literary lyrics. Then, I bought the self-titled record, well before "Kiss Me" hit the charts. That was when I bestowed the heavy title of Favourite Band Ever on Sixpence...

and this debut is good. Sure, it's not the concept-laden, Beatlesque masterpiece of their self-titled. Sure, it's not quite the daring spiritual rock of "This Beautiful Mess". It's not even the super-polished pop candy of "Divine Discontent", but it's good. They took their influences (most notably The Sundays) and made those styles their own. Matt Slocum was already writing smarter, deeper lyrics at 21 than most young writers these days. Leigh's voice is notably deeper, as she seems to be just finding it.

And all of that is okay. "Fatherless..." shines with intelligence, homage to influences, and loads of potential. It's a very summery, light record (despite the heavy lyrical content) with circular, swirly guitars and upbeat melodies.

Standouts (in my opinion) are "Field of Flowers", "An Apology", "Spotlight", "Trust", and "Falling Leaves".

Sixpence achieved acclaim with their 1997 self-titled album, which in reality is theird 3rd album. "Fatherless and the Widow" is their debut album and is definitely worth looking into.

"Field of Flowers" and "Spotlight", the opening 2 tracks, are in and of themselves alone worth getting the album for. "Field of Flowers" is a 2'25" ode to nature, with an upbeat hook to it and the instantly recognizable "Sixpence sound", "Spotlight" completes the one-two musical punch with a bass-driven, again upbeat tone. (I can just imagine Matt Slocum, the "brains" behind the Sixpence sound, sitting around thinking "How am I going to top that one?" Well, he didn't, at least not on this album.)

After these 2 stunning songs, the band slows down and becomes far more reflective. The title track is beautiful, haunting. "An Apology" is about regret. "Trust" is, musically, not all that great, but the song has such a great message. All in all, 10 songs, 40 min. of discovering the "roots" of Sixpence, and 2 stunning tunes to top it all of.

I found this album, looking for more of the "Kiss me"/"There She Goes" type songs. And I was not disappointed with this. (Final note: I ordered the album from the Amazon UK website and had no trouble getting it.)

I bought this on cassette in 1994 while on a business trip to the U.K. I had never heard of the band before, and because of their name I thought they might be an English group! (I wasn't yet into C.S. Lewis enough to catch the reference.) Imagine my surprise to find they were not only from Texas, but one of the best-sounding, freshest Christian bands I had encountered up to that time. "Fatherless" is an exceptionally good starting point for a band that had a marvelous run, and knew how to quit when they were ahead. Recommended without reservation.

This album may be religious in nature, but it also deals with issues as pain and loss as well as being light and in love. It has the religious undertone and makes you wonder "Why couldn't we have sung songs as cool as this in church." The stand out songs are "Feild of Flowers," "Trust," and "Spotlight." All of which make you think and feel. And that is what a good album is all about right?

The first time I heard this album five years ago, I knew I had stumbled across a band with a special chemistry. Matt Slocum's songwriting and Leigh Bingham (now Nash)'s singing blend perfectly. If all you have heard from Sixpence is "Kiss Me," then you haven't heard anything yet. You need to listen to their earlier work including this album and their second release "This Beautiful Mess." If you enjoy these, then you'll definitely want to get their EP "Tickets for a Prayer Wheel." The best songs on "The Fatherless and the Widow" include the poignant title track; "Field of Flowers;" "Spotlight;" and the reprise of "Trust."

Why did this band Break up!?!?!? I'm suprised that these earlier Sixpence records didn't get the airtime it deserved on the radio. Sixpence SHOULD be the hottest thing right now if it weren't for their hiatus.

This Album is Great! Get this + This Beautiful Mess + Divine Discontent + The self Titled... It's Worth ALL of the Money, Trust Me... You won't be disappointed, and You might never experience the sight of this band ever again...:(

Long before Kiss Me, Sixpence released this debut. This was the start of their unique sound- very refreshing, when you consider how so many artists try to sound like someone else. This album is much more decidedly Christian than their S/T album that contains Kiss Me, but it's still not preachy. The first track, Field of Flowers, is surreal and fun, the track, Trust (Reprise) is gorgeous, and everything in between is excellent. Okay, anyway, buy this album. You won't regret it.

If I say one thing, let it be this: the song "Field of Flowers" alone is worth the price of this CD. I don't know if I have heard a more beautiful song anywhere. The "Trust" reprise is super, too, and "Spotlight" is a very strong track as well. I only wish they would put some Real Audio clips up for this CD. Until then you can find entire concerts in RA at the band's website. The one thing that bothered me about this disc was how downbeat some of the other songs were, such as "Meaningless" and "Falling Leaves." Slocum sometimes puzzles me in that way, but that shouldn't discourage you from buying this CD. Maybe you will be able to better interpret than I. A warning for "Kiss Me" only fans- this CD is not for you. It sounds much different from most of the stuff they are coming out with now. Still, anyone who really appreciated good music will like this CD.

I bought this album at a concert right after it was released and was not disappointed. Sixpence is known for their recent work in the mainstream market, but this early release is of no less quality. I cannot tell you how many times the "trust" reprise has lifted a dark spirit. The pain in life is hard , but Sixpence stays true to what God has in store for us.