Sixpence None The Richer

To listen to the self-titled debut from awkwardly named trio Sixpence None The Richer is to stare unflinchingly into the face of late '90s folk-rock. The band is clearly influenced by what's gone before, but their sound is completely modern and original. Fronted by the stylised vocals of Leigh Nash, the band winsomely strums and croons its way through highly personal songs about finding one's way in the world. The influence of folk-poppers like 10,000 Maniacs and Mazzy Star can be heard throughout, in the intimate acoustic guitar rhythms and poignantly conversational vocals, but there's a more progressive Throwing Muses sound at work here as well, keeping SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER from getting too dewy-eyed.