Twenty Four

#24 - This Beautiful Mess (Sixpence None The Richer)

There are few albums that come together with such artistic vision as this one. Every detail, from the album artwork, to the introspective lyrics, to the way Leigh’s voice lingers perfectly with the band’s music, melds into, well, a very beautiful picture of the less-than-always-beautiful human heart. I still think this disc was heads and shoulders ahead of what everyone was doing (or thinking) in 1995. The lyrics alone tackle things the industry was scared to admit and terrified to produce. Lots of sentimental value here, reminding me of slight high school rebellion, broken hearts, and divorce. The message is pretty clear: true Christianity doesn’t require a “Christian” college education, courtship, or curfews. It does require love, salvation, and the fear of death, however…

Best Song: Within A Room Somewhere