Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Sixpence have won huge amounts of critical recognition for their debut album "The Fatherless And The Widow", most of it centred around the songwriting and guitar playing of Matt Slocum and the delicate singing of 18 year old Leigh Bingham. Combine that with a trip to Greenbelt in '94 which put them on the map in this country and the kudos of working with 10,000 Maniacs producer Armand John Petri and it's clear that you have a powerful musical proposition. This, their second (proper) album, has been eagerly awaited and does not disappoint. There's plenty of jangling guitar, loads of memorable songs and outstanding performances to make this an album to be reckoned with. Lyrically, Slocum is still writing to intrigue and mixing the theme of the harshness of life with the realities of hope which faith brings. Musically, it has a more muscular sound than its predecessor but still it's a moody brooding affair with indie rhythms and swathes of feedback that characterise a song like "Bleeding", mixing in with more gentle performances like the incredible "Within A Room Somewhere". Musically beauty and the beast meet in a beautiful mess that will only help to project this excellent band further into the limelight.

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