Divine Discontent

Sixpence None The Richer

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 29, 2002)
• Original Release Date: October 29, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Word Entertainment
• ASIN: B00006LHY1
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #65,761 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Pushing aside broken relationships in both their professional and personal lives in the last five years, members of Sixpence None the Richer are probably more relieved than anyone else to finally see the arrival of Divine Discontent. Yet true art seems to take its purest form when forged through turmoil, and this much-anticipated release is as pure as solid gold. The 12 tracks featured here are nothing short of a brilliant pop tapestry woven through Leigh Nash's airy and vibrant vocals and songwriter Matt Slocum's finely textured guitar work. While fans of "Kiss Me" will relate to the upbeat "Tonight" and "Breathe Your Name," no one should mistake the upbeat pop for shallowness. In fact, tracks like "Down and Out of Time," "Paralyzed," and "I've Been Waiting" display a rich lyrical depth centered on the human experience. Throughout Divine, Slocum showcases a prowess for offsetting Nash's lilting melodies against haunting, minor key choruses, creating a bittersweet melancholy that lingers well after each song. Perhaps the band does this no better than in the ending track, "A Million Parachutes," which captures that dull ache of longing for friends from afar. It's a feeling well known to those Sixpence fans who have waited five long years for this release. The wait was well worth it. --Michael Lyttle

Product Description

Five years after its breakthrough self-titled platinum album and gold smash hit 'Kiss Me' made it one of the most successful Christian crossover artist in rock history, Sixpence None The Richer is back. Includes the single 'Breathe Your Name'. Reprise. 2002.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!, June 28, 2004

By	David Dunton - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This album is lyrical and musical eloquence. Leigh Nash's voice may be an acquired taste for some, but her ability to emote and float above and blend into the accompaniment is haunting and soothing by turns, and always impressive.

Though the radio-poppiness of some of the early tracks does not blend too well with the remaining songs, which are far more orchestral, both styles are well done (though if you are tired of top-40, you will probably enjoy the later tracks much more).

Expect music that explores frustration, mystery, loneliness, sadness and angst in a vulnerable way, undergirded by a constant faith. Some songs incorporate driving, jangling electric guitars, while others meld acoustics and violins. All are enhanced by Ms. Nash's enthralling vocals.

If you want honest, well-written songs in an acoustic/electric alt album that invigorates and soothes, choose "Divine Discontent."

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm in love., August 1, 2003

By	spiral_mind (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Goodness. Sweet, ear-candy, occasionally string-tinged, deliciously eargasmic, sugary pop goodness. Sixpence has returned after five years with the strongest offering of their career. There's a marked growth in all their abilities - writing, performing, producing, what have you - that's pretty noticeable even between this disc and their latest self-titled offering. Their own brand of intelligent pop (still embellished with some occasional violin and cello) is thankfully intact. And I don't mean to cheapen it by saying 'pop' - I just mean that it's eminently listenable, but it goes beyond simple pop with some tinges of jazz and classical sensibility, topped off with a little more whimsy than your average mainstream band. Take a listen to the non-radio tunes and you'll discover a whole world of songcraft beyond their breakthrough "Kiss Me."

Matt Slocum's way with a catchy ear-pleasing melody is as on-key as ever. Leigh Nash's half-childlike voice is sweet and innocent as always; I can understand how some people might not enjoy hearing her all the time, but I consider those vocals a fitting & essential part of the whole. Slocum's guitar is just about perfect throughout; quiet filtered chords under "Breathe Your Name" and "Don't Dream it's Over," fiery riffing through the uncharacteristically dark "Paralyzed," gentle soothing ambience in "A Million Parachutes." That closer is probably the disc's most shining moment, which is really saying something considering how solid the twelve tracks leading up to it are. There isn't a weak moment to be found anywhere.

"Breathe Your Name" alone is one of the most perfect four-minute helpings of melodic ear candy I've heard in years, and it's not even the best this album has to offer. Beautiful ballads ("Still Burning," "Melody of You," "Parachutes") sit among the more catchy upbeat tunes and there's a natural flow between them throughout. It was surprising to see that "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Waiting on the Sun" weren't written by the group; they're performed with such a dreamy upbeatness that they don't sound the least bit out of place on a SNtR disc. "Eyes Wide Open" shuffles between quirky alt-rock and an almost jazzy beat. Every song has its own identity, but none seem out of place amid the whole album's sublime mood.

The reactions to Divine Discontent seem to be mixed even among the band's fans, and I'm still not sure why. This one grabbed me right from the first spin and its appeal hasn't faded yet: it's never been out of the rotation for almost six months now and I'm only liking it more and more. It's worth at least a good listen or two for those curious. Enjoy it half as much as I do and it'll still be money well spent.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can I Give it 6 Stars?, February 17, 2003

By	Amanda (Maine) - See all my reviews

I do not like all of the songs on "Divine Discontent", but just for the ones I do like, I would be willing to give this CD more than a 5-star rating. First of all, lead singer Leigh Nash has such a sweet, beautiful voice that it's really hard to dislike ANY of the songs. Second of all, their very respectable remake of Crowded House's "Don't Dream it's Over" (which also appears on the "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" soundtrack) is quite possibly one of the best remakes of any song I've ever heard, the only big difference between the two versions being the sex of the person singing it. I think the song really works with a female voice, especially Nash's. Third of all, some of the other songs on the CD (my other favorites being "Down and Out of Time" and "Tonight") are so breathtaking that they more than make up for any of the songs that may not be as good.

I must say, I've never really liked Sixpence None the Richer, mainly because their really big hit "Kiss Me" was so overplayed on the radio when it came out, I quickly became sick of it. And I certainly never thought I'd ever buy one of their CDs. But I'm glad I did, and I'm glad it was this one. I bought it because of "Don't Dream it's Over", which was a really good song originally, and which is just as good now done by this group. I highly recommend this CD.