Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Music Review




Sixpence None the Richer
Divine Discontent



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 13 tracks: 55 minutes, 17 seconds
Street Date: October 29, 2002


In 1999, the young yet established Sixpence None The Richer made surprise mainstream success with their single "Kiss Me" which shot them to national stardom. In 2000, the band entered the studio to record their follow-up record and were met with numerous label issues that delayed the project 2 years until this month when the record finally releases to eager and anxious fans. The aptly titled Divine Discontent marks a new chapter in the musical endeavors of the talented group. Fronted by lead vocalist Leigh (Bingham) Nash and musical mastermind Matt Slocum, Sixpence started out in 1993 with a raw sound and artistic approach to music that although excellent, found only a small audience. Their popularity rose over the years before its 1999 explosion, but Sixpence always retained a sound all their own. Divine Discontent almost makes a departure from that sound. While Leigh's vocals have always been inviting and soothing, the overall alternative style of the music had found limited listeners. With Divine, the same deep lyrical exploration is present, but the overall musical direction is shifted to a more accessible pop genre.

Divine Discontent opens with the album's first single "Breathe Your Name," a seemingly typical Sixpence delivery until it meets the electronic drum loop and upbeat pop-soaked chorus. "Tonight," is an upbeat and catchy ode to indecision that begs for radio airplay. "Down and Out of Time," is the first of two Nash-penned tunes, an addictive and somber tune about longing to be needed. "Down and Out..." is a musical and lyrical highlight that fits nicely among the other Slocum musings and proves Nash has learned songwriting from working with the best. "Don't Dream It's Over" is the band's latest cover tune offering, this time of Crowded House's 1987 hit song. Nash's vocals fit beautifully into the song's arrangement as the group successfully revives this tune some 15 years later. "Waiting On the Sun," interestingly enough penned by producer Ron Aniello and Lifehouse frontman Jason Wade. At times, Nash's vocals strike notes Wade would be accustomed to, making this a unique and odd Sixpence offering.

The delicate ballad offerings of "Still Burning," a look at the way that suffering can be a gift as it can steer our lives in the direction to a better state of living, offer a more somber reflection while "Melody of You" is a worshipful ballad in the same vein of more traditional Sixpence songs. "Paralyzed" is the only rock song on the album, a song inspired by the tragic story of a journalist killed in Kosovo in 1999. "I've Been Waiting" contemplates failure in relationships while Nash's "Eyes Wide Open" is an oddly instrumented and jazzy offering inspired by her struggles with her fear of flying. "Dizzy" is a beautiful, piano-driven tune, expressing the desire to be like some of the major Biblical characters, namely King David, the apostle Peter, and the doubtful nature of Thomas. The chorus surrenders, " I give You myself, it's all the I have / Broken and frail, I'm clay in Your hands / And I'm spinning unconcealed / Dizzy on this wheel for You, my love." The string-laden "Tension Is A Passing Note" ponders the difficulty of life on the road as well as how tension can lead to a beautiful resolution. Divine appropriately closes with the highlight "A Million Parachutes," a song written by Slocum, a more organic ballad expressing his painful feelings of loneliness apart from friends one snowy evening.

A solid pop record that might be deemed blasphemous by tried and true Sixpence fans, Divine Discontent offers a lot of lyrically contemplative and accessible pop tunes that should find a home among new listeners but let down those who have been eagerly anticipating new tunes from the Sixpence they know and love.

- Review date: 10/26/02, written by John DiBiase



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

Divine CD

Buy This CD Online


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Word/Reprise Records
. Album length: 13 tracks, 55 minutes and 17 seconds
. Street Date: October 29, 2002
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Breathe Your Name
  2. Tonight
  3. Down And Out of Time
  4. Don't Dream It's Over
  5. Waiting On the Sun
  6. Still Burning
  7. Melody of You
  8. Paralyzed
  9. I've Been Waiting
  10. Eyes Wide Open
  11. Dizzy
  12. Tension Is A Passing Note
  13. A Million Parachutes
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Wednesday, July 16, 2025
SINGLES
1K Phew Yet - Single [Reach]

This Friday, July 18, 2025
ALBUMS
Justin Gambino Just Like Jesus - EP [Residence Music]
The Inspirations Up Above The World So High [Horizon]
Mary-Clair Enough [Vere]
MotionPlus Improper Decorum [SoulFeeder, Polished Arrow Music]
Planetshakers Weight of Heaven [Venture3Media]
The Rocky Valentines Music On The Shelf [Velvet Blue]
Emilie Weiss Come Through (Studio Session) - EP [BEC]

SINGLES
Chris Caro OTW - Single [Syntax]
Aaron Cole Mercy - Single [RCAI]
Melvin Crispell III Reason To Dance - Single [RCAI]
Crowder STILL (feat. Zach Williams) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Ellie Holcomb Hope's Gonna Find You - Single [Capitol CMG]
Influence Music How You Do It - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Holy Ghost (ft. Lady Audri) - Single [Syntax]
Paul and Hannah McClure Holy Hands (Live) - Single [Bethel]
Lizzie Morgan Can't Help But Praise - Single [Provident]
Kevi Morse Honest Cvlture ft. STIXX aka Conejo) - Single [Syntax]
Shekts Nelson Your Love - Single [Churchboy]
Blessing Offor Crying Out Loud - Single [Capitol CMG]
Remedy Drive Brighter Than Apathy (Reimagined) - Single (independent)
Rhymes in Harmony Lift Your Name - Single [Syntax]
Speedy the Artist Reach For Elohim - Single [Syntax]
Thrive Worship The One Who Saves - Single [Integrity]
Zane Walls Think About Me - Single [DREAM]

This Sunday, July 20, 2025
VINYL
King's X Manic Moonlight Vinyl [Girder]

Next Wednesday, July 23, 2025
ALBUMS
Eric Roberson Beautifully All Over The Place (independent)

Next Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

DVD
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images