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Promise Artist: Rivulets & Violets Label: 5 Minute Walk Time: Length: 12 songs / 50:38	Samples Promise (shockwave)

After many changes to Rivulets and Violets’ band lineup and sound, their newest album, Promise, is a new beginning for the band.  The new lineup consists of Jen Hollingsworth, Robyn Spitzer and Mindy Verdecchio on vocals, Masaki playing guitar and violin, and Sam Hernandez playing bass.  The original band was the creation of Masaki, who had released an album called Rivulets and Violets, but that album held a very different sound to the present day band.  The album was more instrumental, with very little lyrics and vocals.  Masaki has said “The first record was very experimental for me, and the vocals were an afterthought. The writing process for “Promise” was very different with Jen being a songwriter and lyricist, she helped to bring in the idea of vocals.”  Hollingsworth’s lyrics really do bring the music to life, as do the vocal arrangements.

The new trio of female vocalists seems to make the lyrics flow over the mellow music like water, so smooth are the harmonies.  The bouncy, pop melodies on Promise are blended around a solid music core of well played guitars, drums, violin and bass.  The catchy tunes are able to express their messages of adoration, undying love, hope and peace quite beautifully.

Chelsea Lewis 7/29/2000

Though freely compared with the likes of Sixpence None The Richer and Sarah McLaughlin, Rivulets and Violets charms their way through their latest album replete with a variety of styles and musical influence evidences to comprise their latest, Promise.

Although musically similar to others in their genre, Rivulets and Violets present a beautiful blend of sweet vocals, gutsy melodies and thought provoking lyrical ballads - all of which combine to create a thoroughly intriguing and enjoyable listening experience. 

The band has undergone major structural changes in the past few years, morphing into the combination of musicians and vocalists that compose the band now. Based in San Francisco, they have gone from mainly a studio band to a full-fledged performing group alongside veterans of the industry such as Sixpence and Chris Isaak. 

The five member band subsists mainly on the very talented songwriting collaboration of guitarist/violinist Masaki and vocalist Jen Hollingsworth with the equally amazing talents of bassist Sam Hernandez and vocalists Robyn Spitzer and Mindy (West) Verdicchio. 

From the first seconds of play, the album promises to stand on its own. Ranging from a seventies disco feel to edgy modern rock to folksy ballads, Promise  speaks of love, the amazing grace of God, and the struggles of everyday life. 

Kerry Maffeo 7/29/2000

Pretty and perfect; delicate and delicious. Layers of wispy female vocals harmonizing together smoothly. Waves of well played guitars, ranging from jangly to atmospheric. Deftly played percussion, poetic lyrics, and the occasional orchestrated flute, violin and cello arrangements. Songs that carefully combine mood and a touch of melancholy in an ultimately upbeat way. Sound familiar? If imitation is truly the greatest form of flattery, than Sixpence None the Richer should be very flattered, indeed. 

Rivulets and Violets is the latest project for former Dime Store Prophet axe man and noted album producer, Masaki. Together with Sam on bass guitar and tin whistle, and a host of talented guest artists, Masaki rounds out the band's full sound by enlisting the aid of not one, but three female vocalists, Jen, Mindy and Robyn. To be fair, principal lead vocalist Jen Hollingsworth is also credited for co-writing all the songs with Masaki. Notwithstanding the comparisons to the Sixpence sound, the Rivulets have created an extremely well crafted album with a relevant and reverent focus on reflections of faith and worship, such as "Grace:"

    Dance in open fields
    Explore the beauty of your peace
    To feel the dawning of the sun
    To know the beauty of your grace
    And I love you
    My Lord, I want to walk beside you
    I want to rest inside your grace
    Fly on wings of blue birds
    Soar through Heaven
    Spin circles around you, my father 
    With you on a playground with you
    Sliding down into your arms.

Although they haven't reinvented the wheel, they clearly know how to spin it. In the end, this project lives up to its title, and their combined musical talents clearly show lots and lots of Promise. 

Steven S. Baldwin   11/9/00

Rivulets & Violets' second release, Promise, has been a long time coming. I can remember going to a Dime Store Prophets/Model Engine (Black Eyed Sceva)/Dryve concert and seeing Rivulets and Violets' t-shirts for sale, not to mention hearing a few of their songs on a 5 Minute Walk sampler that I picked up about the same time. That was in 1997. I believe it was just Masaki and Jen Hollingsworth at that time. The lineup has changed since then, but their style is the same.

For starters, there are now three female lead vocalists: Hollingsworth, Mindy Verdecchio, and Robyn Spitzer. Together with Masaki and Sam Hernandez they form the newer Rivulets & Violets.

Promise is a complete album. Musically, Masaki and Hernandez, with a slew of guest musicians, create a beautiful, atmospheric sound that is consistent throughout the album. Each song is different enough to keep the listener entertained. Often, in this style of female-driven modern rock, it is easy for an entire album to tune together. There are several standout tracks, including "Promise," "I Hate You," and "Delivered."

Overall, this is an album worth owning. If you need a break from the aggressive sounds of much of today's modern rock and just want to relax and listen to well-written and well-performed introspective music, this should do the trick. Definitely recommended for fans of Sixpence's slower stuff or The Sundays. 

Matthew Riddle 12/06/2000