Sixpence None The Richer - Divine Discontent

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Spotlight No longer Discontented

It’s interesting that the huge success of their self-titled album and the hit singles “Kiss Me” and “There She Goes” should also have contributed to the pain of the last few years. If ever there was a band who have paid their dues it’s Sixpence. It feels as though every record company they signed to have gone bust. Most recently the original set up of Squint Entertainment under Steve Taylor sank after they invested thousands and thousands of dollars breaking Sixpence into the mainstream. This follow up album should really have come two years ago maintaining the momentum of the success of “Kiss Me” establishing Sixpence as one of THE bands on the planet. Sadly record company wranglings and more disappointment have dogged the band. But finally ‘Divine Discontent’ has found its way onto the record shop shelves. I suspect that this isn’t actually the album they recorded as a follow up since I received a couple of pre-release tracks a year ago, neither of which are included here. However, one thing is for sure, this is a stupendously beautiful album and I’m glad that it finally escaped from captivity. Everything that makes Sixpence such a great band is in place here - poetic lyrics, bittersweet melancholy vibes, Leigh Nash’s distinctive vocals and let’s not beat about the bush here! Brilliant songs! With so many astounding moments, I confess that I just love the closing “Million Parachutes” with its lilting melodies and seemingly Coldplayesque atmospheres. At the other end of the album, the opening single “Breathe Your Name” starts with some strumming that is vaguely reminiscent of “Kiss Me” designed to give casual fans something they recognise but swiftly evolves into an uplifting groove and hooky chorus. As with “There She Goes” on the previous album, the band demonstrate a knack for choosing a cover version ripe for re-interpretation. This time it’s Crowded House’s magnificent “Don’t Dream It’s Over” that is reworked into something gorgeous. Another favourite is “Dizzy” with its timeless melody and beautiful strings and piano that evoke yet more beautiful yearning melancholy. The band’s sound has obviously grown since the last album and the stunning string arrangements and addition of more piano only enhance everything that’s great about the band. It’s been a while coming but it’s been worth the wait.

The Nashville-based sextet Sixpence None The Richer answer some questions.

Have all the delays in getting 'Divine Discontent' released been frustrating?
(Leigh Nash) It's been, at times, maddening and depressing. It's nice to be at the end of that now; something good happening makes the bad almost disappear.

What exactly is the meaning behind the title 'Divine Discontent'?
(Matt Slocum) A positive dis-ease, a restlessness leading to a doorway to something new and better. Without pain and other difficult situations, we tend not to grow and change for the good. A lot of songs we’ve recorded here have a fascination with the fact that God would strike you down, and then raise you back up. It’s our attempt to make sense of some of the suffering....

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