Divine Discontent has been a long time in the making. Contractual wrangling, lineup changes, side projects: none of this has hurt them as this is yet another great pop record. The songwriting remains their unique blend of faith and hope (artists in the non-crossover Contemporary Christian genre could learn a thing or two) starting right off with the opener "Breath Your Name" and peaking (for me) with the orchestra-supported intensity of "Dizzy". That would be the peak of energy. The emotional peak lives in the last two songs: the pretty "Tension Is A Passing Note" followed by the pensive "A Million Parachutes" (I've seen a few complaints about the inclusion of the Crowded House cover "Don't Dream It's Over"...sorry, but that song is a perfect compliment. Both the musical and lyrical influence is so obvious....and it's a great tune!)
Oh, and we can't forget the great arrangements, particularly the way Matt Slocum's guitar supports everything. Really, the perfect complement to "The Voice".
This is the CD you have to recommend to those who say that there's no good music out there anymore. If they don't like Divine Discontent maybe they're not capable of having a "moment".
(First posted on Mark Is Cranky)
Article comments
1 - The Theory
i love this cd and this band. you should pick up the single for Don't Dream It's Over... it has a previously unreleased song on it and, this is no joke, it's the best song sixpence has ever done.
peace.
2 - Phillip Winn
Is that the "Hey now, hey now, don't dream it's over" song, remade?
3 - Mark Saleski
yep, dat's it.
4 - BRICKLAYER
What do the following artists have in common: Rickie Lee Jones, Natalie Merchant, Lori Mckenna, The Sundays, Bjork, Kate Bush, Ani DiFranco and Dar Williams?
Answer: The chick from Otep could kick all of their assess with one hand tied behind her back.
5 - The Theory
except for bjork. no one kicks bjork's arse.
peace.
6 - Mark Saleski
that's funny....i was gonna say that nobody kicks Ani's ass.
7 - The Theory
I'd like to see them try...
peace.
8 - BRICKLAYER
That's because she turtles after the first punch is thrown.
9 - Eric Olsen
I hear Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier's daughters are forming a band - THAT will kick ass.
10 - BRICKLAYER
With a rhythm section of Tanya Harding and Amy Fisher. Keyboards by the lady in Texas who drove home with that poor sucker in her windshield.