Divine Discontent is the fourth studio album by Sixpence None the Richer. The album was released on October 29, 2002.
Background Lead singer Leigh Nash has described her understanding of the album title as being that "sometimes your pain and the bad things you go through in life can be good if they bring you to a better place, a stronger place in your life," that is, "discontent can be divine." The album's completion and release was delayed due to a protracted struggle with their prior record label which Nash has described as being a low point for her, but that the process had made her emotionally stronger. In press notes, lead songwriter Matt Slocum said that there is "spiritual content" in many of his songs which come from "trying to be honest about the issues of life," while adding that "it also comes more in the form of asking questions than giving answers."
The cover of Crowded House's "Don't Dream It's Over" was one of the later songs to be selected for the album (along with "A Million Parachutes" and "Waiting on the Sun") as it was a request by the label. However, the band was an admirer of Neil Finn and so did not mind.
Nash and Slocum parted ways in early 2004 before reuniting to record the My Dear Machine EP in 2008.
Critical reception
Nikki Tranter of PopMatters praised Divine Discontent as "an expertly written, musically tight, effortlessly executed ride, proving that, as musical partners, Nash and Slocum are a force to be reckoned with."
In 2003, the song "Breathe Your Name" won the GMA Dove Award for Modern Rock/Alternative Recorded Song of the Year.
Track listing
Personnel Sixpence None the Richer
Leigh Nash – vocals Matt Slocum – acoustic guitar, cello, electric guitar, keyboard, vibraphone, e-bow Justin Cary – bass guitar Sean Kelly – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, hi-string guitar Dale Baker – percussion, drums Jerry Dale McFadden – piano, Hammond organ, mellotron Rob Mitchell – drums, percussion
Additional personnel
Bob Becker – viola Denyse Buffum – viola Monisa Phillips Angel – viola Evan Wilson – viola Bruce Dukov – concert master, violin Suzie Katayama – cello Anthony LaMarchina – cello Carl Rabinowitz – cello John Catchings – cello Larry Corbett – cello Dan Smith – cello Rudy Stein – cello Mario de Leon – violin Peter Kent – violin David Davidson – violin Pamela Sixfin – violin Bob Peterson – violin Jacob Lawson – violin Rachel Purkin – violin Brian Leonard – violin Joel Derouin – violin Eve Butler – violin John Wittenberg – violin Jamie Muhoberac – keyboards Van Dyke Parks – leader Tim Pierce – guitar Rick Todd – french horn Kris Wilkinson – leader, viola
Production
Paul Fox – producer (1–3, 5–13) Matt Slocum – producer (1–3, 5–13) Rob Cavallo – producer (4) Marc Chevalier – recording (1–3, 5–13), string recording (7, 12) Jeff Tomei – Pro Tools editing (1–3, 5–13), recording (2, 3, 5, 13), string recording (6, 11) Allen Sides – recording (4) Jenny Knotts – additional recording (1–3, 5–13), recording assistant (1–3, 5–13) Eric Bickle – recording assistant (2, 3, 5, 13) Greg Fogie – recording assistant (2, 3, 5, 13) Brian Vibberts – recording assistant (4) Bill Appleberry – Pro Tools editing (1–3, 5–13) Luke Wooten – Pro Tools editing (1–3, 5–13) Doug McKean – Pro Tools engineer (4) Louie Teran – digital editing (1–3, 5–13) Stewart Whitmore – digital editing (1–3, 5–13) Tom Lord-Alge – mixing Femio Hernández – mix assistant Stephen Marcussen – mastering (1–3, 5–13) Robert Vosgien – mastering (4) Cheryl Jenets – production coordinator (4) Paul McMenamin – art direction Darren Waterston – paintings Matthew Welch – photography
Charts Album - Billboard (United States)
YearChartPosition2002 US Billboard 200154 US Christian Albums (Billboard)9
Singles - Billboard (United States)
YearSingleChartPosition 2002 "Breathe Your Name" US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)182003"Don't Dream It's Over" US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)12 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)9 US Billboard Hot 10078
References