Search - Sixpence None the Richer :: The Dawn of Grace

A Great Collection of Christmas Songs

Joshi Dx | Maryland | 10/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have always been impressed with Sixpence None the Richer's ability to put out quality albums, and when I heard that they would be putting out a Christmas album I was excited to hear the results. I was not disappointed. This album provides a nice mix of traditional and original songs, with fresh takes on some classics. "Silent Night" features Dan Haseltine from the band Jars of Clay singing response parts, creating a unique take on a song that has been recorded countless times through the years. "Riu Riu Chiu" is a traditional 16th century Spanish Christmas carol, and Leigh Nash performs it excellently in its original language. Those in addition to great original songs such as "The Last Christmas" and "Christmas for Two" make this is a great Christmas album from a very talented group. I definitely recommend giving it a listen."

Welcome return of Sixpence on this outstanding "modern Chris

Paul Allaer | Cincinnati | 02/09/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After their 2002 album "Divine Discontent" did not do as well commercially as hoped for, Sixpence None the Richer called is a day in 2003, and lead singer Leigh Nash and guitarist-songwriter Matt Slocum went their separate ways. Leigh released a decent solo album in 2006 ("Blue on Blue") but it clearly lacked the spark that Matt's songs have provided for her before. In 2008 the news circulated that Leigh and Matt were once again recording together, and this album is the first result from that.



"The Dawn of Grace" (10 tracks; 35 min.) is another one of what I'll call modern Christmas albums (more on that later). The album is a mix of traditional Christmas songs and newly written Christmas songs and covers. The album's opener "Angels We have Heard on High" is simply stunning, a lush audio landscape with Leigh's warm vocals, wow. It is followed by "The Last Christmas", penned by Matt, and it;s another favorite of mine on here. The only song on the first half of the album that misfires for me (and hence 'only' 4 stars for this album) is "Silent Night", one of those Christmas songs that is so well known that you really can't add anything creatively to it. The second half contains one more traditional song, the pleasant "Carol of the Bells". The album then closes out with 4 modern songs, including the deliciously tongue-in-cheek "Christmas Island" (reminding me of Over the Rhine), the Joni Mitchell cover "River" which is done beautifully, "Christmas for Two", co-written by Leigh, and the album closer "Come Children See Him", an obscure Christmas song form the 50s.



In all, I can't emphasize enough how I really like this album. At 35 min., it clips by in no time and you'll find yourself playing this again. There are a couple of other so-called modern Christmas albums I heartily recommend: Over the Rhine's 2007 "Snow Angels" (all-original tunes) and 1996's "The Darkest Night of the Year" (mix of originals and traditionals), as well as Aimee Mann's 2006 "One More Drifter In the Snow". As to Sixpence, this Christmas album is supposedly just a teaser for the release of a proper album sometime in 2009. Can't wait for that. I've seen Sixpence in concert a number of times before their 2003 hiatus, and I'll go see them again anytime, anywhere."

So Glad I Bought This CD

Lisa J. | Bridge City, TX United States | 12/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I almost didn't purchase this. I love SNTR, but I just wasn't too much into Christmas this year. I'm so glad I changed my mind. The CD is just perfection - there's really nothing else to say."