Considering the group’s erratic success in the past, Sixpence None the Richer’s 2012 album Lost in Transition seemed like the perfect opportunity for a strong comeback, but falters in producing a directed effort at gaining widespread popularity. After mild success in the early 1990’s with full Christian pop albums, Fatherless & the Widow and This Beautiful Mess, Sixpence found their stride with their first hit single. The 1999 song “Kiss Me,” which was featured in an episode of Dawson’s Creek, grew to win international acclaim.
Since their breakup in 2004, Sixpence’s first reunited album was The Dawn of Grace, a variety of Christmas covers in 2008. This year’s Lost in Transition is their first album of original pieces since their break, an ideal opportunity to prove that they’ve still got it. However, the differences in sound quality between the songs on this album and Sixpence’s previous hits do not seem like improvements on their work.
While “Kiss Me” was the most upbeat of their three major singles, each of these songs has a relatively catchy rhythm, retains a strong, powerful voice throughout and plays with crescendos, adding variety to a single listen. In contrast, pieces in Lost in Transition are mellow, with heavy rhythms that carry like a haunting dream but lack in variation within each song. As a comeback album, this drifting tone accompanied with solemn lyricism do not send the message that Sixpence is fighting hard to get back on track; some songs, like “Failure, mention the fear of giving up a passion, while others such as “My Dear Machine,” express that, “now it’s time for another drive,” but drag on a slow, smooth pace.
It may not be the most powerful return for Sixpence, this album does contain some beautiful moments. Many of the melodies are gorgeously written and there is a harsh, refreshing reality to many of their lyrics that address the dread of watching a dream or loved one float away or the pain of living in memories. Lost in Transition may not be an instant hit but will not fail to please fans who have long awaited new, mature material from Sixpence None the Richer.
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