The release of the hit single, “Kiss Me” in 1997 propelled Sixpence None the Richer to unprecedented success; the sugar-coated pop track with its lyrical and vocal beauty soon skyrocketed to international fame and has undoubtedly become a favorite tune to play at weddings. Following the success of “Kiss Me,” Sixpence released the single “There She Goes”, originally by the La’s. While their second single wasn’t as commercially successful as their first, the band had garnered a large number of fans who would eagerly anticipate their next album release.
Finally, five years later, in 2002, Sixpence None the Richer released their fourth (prior to the commercial success of their self-titled album in ’97, they’d already had two albums under their belt--The Fatherless and the Widow and This Beautiful Mess) studio album, Divine Discontent. The album is everything and more of what fans had anticipated; while retaining that tingling pop sensibility that made them famous, it was also clear that the band had headed into a more melancholy direction in terms of tone and mood, as indicated by the ever appropriate title of the release.
The single, “Breathe Your Name” takes up where “Kiss Me” left off. While it’s more rock than “Kiss Me,” the same charming, magical pop presence pervades the track with light guitar chords and lead singer Leigh Nash’s earthy, effervescent vocals. The other single from Divine Discontent, “Don’t Dream It’s Over”, is not the most imaginative cover of the original by Crowded House--here, the band essentially does what Green Day did to The Clash’s cover of one of the most covered songs in music, “I Fought the Law”; it’s simply an update with different vocals.
Tracks like “Tonight” and “Waiting on the Sun” follow in the footsteps of the band’s trademark feel-good pop sound. But album enders, “Dizzy”, “Tension is a Passing Note”, and “A Million Parachutes” resonate of loss, longing, and a sense of heartbreak; these tracks are quieter and softer, but certainly not boring; the violins and violas on “Tension is a Passing Note”, for instance, literally cry with something between sadness and acceptance. Yet the most surprising track on the album by far is “Paralyzed”, a very rock number with loud drums and assured guitar riffs.
While Divine Discontent pleased many fans, the band unfortunately officially disbanded in 2004 and went off to pursue solo projects. Having heard Leigh Nash’s solo debut, Blue on Blue, I can say that while Nash’s vocals are as beautiful as always, she is lacking without guitarist/songwriter Matt Slocum’s lyrical proficiency and the rest of her former band members’ distinct sound. Cleary, all good things must come to an end and Divine Discontent is a more than solid farewell.
"Divine Discontent" is on sale October 29, 2002 from Warner.
