By Chad Taylor
soundcheck@dmcityview.com

Sixpence None the Richer

‘Lost in Transition’

Sixpence

It’s really hard to believe that it’s been 15 years since these guys were everywhere with the single “Kiss Me.” Since then there were two more albums and a break-up before reuniting and self-producing “Lost in Transition.” I’m not going to lie; this is a gorgeous album. There’s absolutely nothing here to reproduce the Top 40 ubiquity of “Kiss Me” or “There She Goes,” but everything on the album is beautifully written and produced. Sixpence’s sound has changed, as its component members have matured. The new sound is stripped down with more country influences but maintains the band’s penchant for acoustic guitars and spider-silk, light pop hooks. Lead singer Leigh Nash’s voice has added a subtle depth in the ensuing years that keeps the vocals light but adds a weight that keeps the songs from skittering off into treacle unlistenability. It’s an unexpected pop delight. CV

Dead Can Dance

‘Anastasis’

[PIAS] Recordings

“Anastasis” is the first Dead Can Dance album in 16 years, and it picks up right where the band left off in 1996. World music with a heavy goth influence, it’s a dense, intricate album. “Anastasis” features a strong Middle-Eastern vibe, with most tracks carrying at least a hint of Dead Can Dance’s peculiar Indian patois as an underlying theme. “Agape” and “Kiko” are the high points of the album, both featuring sexy, driving drum tracks backing Lisa Gerrard’s ethereal vocals. Gerrard’s work on the album is so strong, the tracks that switch to Brendan Perry’s vocals suffer simply by subtraction. The album works best when the band members are being their natural, esoteric selves, but “Children of the Sun” and “All in Good Time” bookend the album nicely with slightly more poppy tracks that sound a bit like a Morrissey/Cocteau Twins amalgam. CV

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