Casanova

This is what you'd get if you asked me to write a Pulp parody album.

Exceptionally boring. Eminently skippable. Utterly unremarkable. SAved from a one-star score because I recognized that one song from the "Father Ted" credits ("Songs of Love") and because none of the songs are actually offensively bad.

On one hand, this album was the exact kind of cheesy charm that worms it's way into my heart. On the other hand, I think I just saw it slip something into my drink...

This album was… not my jam. Sounded like some off brand Bowie wrote some insane score to a musical and arranged the songs out of order.

Was this a joke? Did someone lose a bet? Surely there must be a logical explanation for whatever this was.

I've never heard of this band but the album cover is slightly intriguing in its trying-too-hard ladies man look (and name). The opening track, Something for the Weekend, opens strong with a certain nearly but not quite entirely camp attitude. The next song, Becoming More Like Alfie sounds even more like the singer is singing with a wink. Dark and funny. Very British. I dig it. \"I suggested, she protested, I persisted 'til she said 'well okay' and I said 'wahey!'\" Songs of Love is a standout, pretty song. This album has some of the same energy as a recent album I was served up, Meatloaf's \"Bat Out of Hell\". Over dramatic, with good music and clever lyrics.

I've been trying to come up with a word to describe a person who uses a 27 (ish) piece orchestra to back their music but also pronounces the ells in guillotine. It's somewhere between pseudointellectual and kitsch but without the knowing wink. Anyway, this was at times painful to listen to (especially the last song, which sounds like a bad Phantom of the Opera audition), but also showed bits of promise, so I'm giving a middle-of-the-road score. Best track: Songs of Love

This album was a surprise for sure. It's a bit creepy with the women seduction, but the music is actually quite good. There were some genuinely good moments on them, especially for a comedy album

I give this Casanova only one Cyrano de Bergerac

I spent the first few tracks trying to figure out where I'd heard this voice before. Finally had to bite the bullet and look it up: Ute Lemper's Punishing Kiss! Yes. Makes perfect sense. I'm guessing the ratings of this album are going to be pretty split --- I spent as much time hating it as loving it. The vocals are annoyingly affected at best, creepy and menacing at worst. But the theatricality of this album got way under my skin. I do think this is an album that I needed to hear before I died. Very unique. Very interesting.

The Divine Comedy is a very recent discovery for me. I actually just heard one of their (his) albums, "Fin De Siecle", right before starting the top 1001 albums list and immediately fell in love with it. This album just as good and a little different. There are hints of early Scott Walker here as well as early pre-disco Bee-Gees and bunch of other influences. Great lyrics that are sometimes tongue-in-cheek. Can't wait to dive further into other albums by them.

Very much loved this record. Voice like Bid...very much like Monochrome Set.

I was worried at first, as the first few tracks were certainly not grabbing my attention, despite being the singles for the album so I was worried that despite my (controversial) love for A Short Album About Love that this album would not reach even close to the same level of quality. However, after those first tracks, this album just starts rocketing off with quality song after quality song. Hannon's voice starts shining through again, and the strings are just as excellent as always. I've also come to really appreciate the goofy lyrics, as so much Britpop takes itself too seriously, and this feels like this guy was certainly in on the joke. I do wish the album grabbed me quicker and was shorter, but I really like quite a few tracks here, and look forward to getting to know them better. This dude really likes horses, huh? You know what, fuck it, this album is also amazing. I re-listened, and while some of the early tracks are still lacking, all the tracks after are so amazing, like Franz Ferdinand's lead singer singing parody James Bond themes, its the perfect schlocky album but in the best of ways. Plus, it could use the extra help on the average rating, it seems. I suppose I can officially say I'm a fan of the Divine Comedy.

From the 90s DC albums, I might prefer "Promenade" above "Casanova", as it contains "The Booklovers" and "Tonight We Fly", but this album contains "Theme from Casanova" and "Something for the Weekend". So hard to say..

This is definitely very different from all the music I've encountered before, so this website is doing its job. Some of the lyrics are a bit too much, but the overall sound is great.

Loved this. Another Irish act I've been sleeping on, had pretty much written him off as the Father Ted song guy. Big fan of the unique vocal delivery, instrumentation is really well chosen to mix standard rock with more unexpected sounds. Songwriting is cool, love the full commitment to the sleaze throughout. And Songs of Love is just a great song. Have to imagine Matt Bellamy is a fan, some seriously Muse-y parts throughout. All in all I enjoyed the shit out of this and will for sure be doing some repeat listens.

Used to love divine comedy, ages since I heard them. Wonder if this has my lovely horse on it? 😉 I'd forgotten how bloody good they were. Thoroughly enjoyed that and will listen again.

Thoughts before listening: I've never heard of this before. Must be British. Review: Yep...it's British. Over the top, theatrical Brit pop to be more precise. I don't really like it. 2-stars

Please - a decent album, not this banal crap

Despite it becoming a bit of a novelty at times, I enjoy this! Harmonically exciting, lushly arranged and full of a old school cabaret aesthetic that I really like in a strange sort of way. If he wrote a novel in the same aesthetic, I would probablly rate that 5 stars. (I deeply dislike the cover though)

Liked this. I don't think I ever heard anything by this band but found it interresting, fun and enjoyable music. Added this and other albums to favorites for furure listening. Easy 4.

This album was an absolute surprise in more ways than one. Took me most of the first track to recognize it's wasn't being serious. Kudos to the dry, British humor. The music was actually good, the humor on point and overall enjoyable.

The Divine Comedy is an odd group that I quite enjoy, but I feel like this was a worse attempt than the record that follows it.

An oddball record to be sure. Theatrical, excessively so. Bet it would be fun seeing with a full orchestra. Sometimes the lyrics are eh, and I feel like that's the foundation of the song. Can't say I didn't enjoy it though. Favorite tracks: "Through a Long and Sleepless Night", "The Frog Princess", "Becoming More Like Alfie"

Strangely hammy, weirdly rapey, oddly energetic. Really confused by this one. So middle of the road it goes.

I wanted to like this one more since it's got a lot of quirks I enjoy, but it was just a little on the corny side to me. Sounded a bit like Roxy Music in a bizzarro lounge. I wasn't really seeing why this was in the 1001 albums and as of the 2018 edition it isn't anymore. Makes sense. My favorite part was the second half of "Through a Long & Sleepless Night." That's where it really showed potential. Giving it a 3 mainly because there were moments I liked. Maybe this would grow on me, but it's time to move on.

Dirty old man, the soundtrack.

If feel it’s worth pointing out that the brevity of “A Short Album About Love” was a major factor in my decision to rate that record 3 stars. An hour of this is a little more than I can take.

Meh…b-side of the Austin Powers 2 album. Filler music, forgot I was listening

Nothing that stands out after listening. Maybe it takes more that once for it to resonate. Felt like I have heard a similar sounding style but can't think where. Meatloaf?

I think this is the album that defines my teenage years the most. It was the first time I had heard a song (something for the weekend) that had made me want to hear more from that artist. I had the album artwork poster on my wall (the only other poster I had was the Reservoir Dogs one). I got sunglasses that looked just like the ones Neil wears. I like my music quirky and dramatic, and this fits the bill perfectly.

this album is woefully underrated, 2.69 at the time of review. It is filled to the brim with witty couplets, ridiculous innuendo, it's beautifully camp and has a bucket full of catchy tunes alongside the brilliant "Songs of Love", would you like cup of tea?

Wow. I really enjoy the divine comedy! who knew they'd be a fun poppy band I'd listen to more of.

It gives me lounge singer vides and is absolutely delightful. A bit bizarre and absurd at times I thought it was fun all the way through. I thought I was going to give it four stars, but why be stingy. Full marks.

Well this was unexpected! I absolutely loved this album. I had never heard of it or the band before and based on the reviews, I approached the album with some trepidation. I REALLY loved this album. It sounded like something that would happen if David Bowie and Mike Oldfield put on an Andrew Lloyd Webber style musical. LOVED IT and so glad this made the list! Its what the challenge is all about.

Masterful

Neil Hannon is a genius. Unfortunately most people are too stupid to appreciate his music, which is why he’s not more successful. You actually have to use your brain for this, and your heart will thank you. Love it!

Such a unique refreshing album. Fun in the right moments, serious in the right moments.

cool

Charge is very interesting! :) Overall style is wacky - some reminds me a tiny bit of Mr. Bungle, some of Roxy and other bands. The Dogs & the Horses was great. Great overall - great discovery - thanks!

This is fantastic. Great music, smart-are delivery. Brilliant songwriting. A fantastic find.

Loved it. Reminds me of flaming lips in some way. A true concept album that knows how to have fun while not taking itself too seriously. Solid pallet of instrumentation. A theatrical singing style that doesn’t get old.

great! will come back to this

Originell und abwechslungsreich

Divine indeed

That was a surprinsingly pleasurable album, very nice songs!

I'm pretty sure I'll say very similar things to the other Divine Comedy album in this list but I can't help but love this. The theatre of it all tickles me big time. The show tune voice, wacky but mysterious story lines. Some unexpected lapses into falsetto. He's definitely in on the joke (as proven by the closing credit track).

As soon as Something for the Weekend kicked in I knew I was in for a treat. I vaguely knew of this band but have never spent any time with it and really enjoyed this album. Fave tracks, The Frog Princess and A Woman of the World.

Standouts: Something for the Weekend, Becoming More Like Alfie, (Everything!) Singles: -------------------------------------- Something for the Weekend (#14 UK) Becoming More Like Alfie The Frog Princess 4.5/5

love love love this. Constantly amazed when I listen to the DC that they're not super mainstream and listened to all over the world. Just joyous music delivered with a wink and a nod and not to be taken too seriously.

"And I see naked bodies twist and turn on the futon of dreams fulfilled" "I'd rather die than be deprived Of Wonderbras and thunder thighs. This album is perfectly smarmy and just the right amount of creepy. It exemplifies its title perfectly. Neil Hannon's voice is glorious amongst the strings and horns and harpsichord. I love it!

I can’t recall ever hearing of this group before, but I LOVE the modern lounge style and vocals. It feels like neo-60s English pop music and I love it! Orchestral, quirky, over-the-top musical shenanigans that I’m here for! It was no surprise to discover that this band was inspired by Scott Walker. I love this!

One of my favourites.

Cheeky and entertaining chamber pop. Tea Father?

Based on the Wikipedia description, I really didn't expect to enjoy this album particularly much. But it ended up hitting all the sweet spots and I listened to it twice in a row. It boasts a lot of variety with very nice vocal performances and instrumentation that seems simple, but is rock solid and reveals depth on closer listening. I also quite enjoyed the lyrics' wit and humor - although there are a couple of lines that are a bit... let's say 'outdated' in terms of communication of consent versus 'playing coy'.

Really enjoyed this album - definitely needs to be listened to in order - Cheeky, sexual lyrics delivered in a smooth Lounge style, almost Roger Moore James Bond like. Tongue in cheek, but also witty. I had liked the singles that I had heard previously from Devine Comedy, but never delved any deeper into albums and this was a really good listen

dude that was actually really cool shit man, I loved every song and listening to it the second time, you can really appreciate the layers of everything, catchy melodies and whatnot it’s also funny just how clearly influential Scott Walker was for this album at least yeah I really enjoyed the fuck out of that 10/10

Wow. Los conocía de tiempo pero nunca los había escuchado. Muy grata sorpresa. Grandes baladas en un disco conceptual dedicado a Casanova. Absurdísimo, divertido, romántico. Muy bueno.

Oh hell yes! I absolutely adore The Divine Comedy. I don't even have to listen to it today to know that this is a work of genius. Hannon's voice is sublime. I'd rather die than be deprived of Wonderbras and thunder thighs.

this is amazing. Its this weird sexual ballad fusion

Father Ted theme for some reason

This is so much fun. The warmth, the wit, the big sweeping tunes. This is both a pastiche of Britishness and an addition to the canon of loveliness!

I’m still trying to figure this album out! It sounds very unique to his credit and reminding me a little bit of Jim Morrison back by the Monkees with their production team. Also hear elements of Kevin Rowland Scott Walker mixed in with perhaps a little more of the Bowie archness that I would like. Having said that clearly the guy is trying to do something different, which is extremely valuable these days because no one else is bottom line still listening and investigating, but I’d recommend you listen to it too! 👍🏾

4.5/5

The Divine Comedy remain one of the most unfairly overlooked acts of their time. They were never as "cool" as some of their indie contemporaries, nor were they ever as widely popular as the Britpop bands of the time. Their Chamber Pop stylings and witty lyricism meant that their sound was often seen as pretentious by the larger public and relegated them to cult band status. Personally, I think they are absolutely fantastic. I love the arrangements, the humour and overall ultra-britishness of it all. The very pronounced 60's Scott Walker influence does help, as he is one my favourites, although I did discover Neil Hannon and co. first. This album is probably their most accessible and presents the greatest balance between their more poppy and baroque moments. Wholeheartedly recommended. Key tracks: Something for the Weekend Becoming More Like Alfie Songs of Love The Frog Princess A Woman of the World

Wicked corny, but in a fun way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LvkM-Wp2iI

Ended up enjoying it more than I thought by the first 10 seconds. It definitely has its own unique personality Rating: 3.6

Lyrically funny, like a pompous musical performance. I would have liked to have a second listen.

Clever but maybe too much for its own good. The joke is well sustained for most of this, the spiky and drily nostalgic (ironic?) music makes sense. Best cuts: "More Like Alfie," "In and Out," "The Frog Princess." Overall, strong and enjoyable, but, still, two records by this lot seems a bit much (much like the overall undertaking) for this list (this would be the one to keep).

Hipster Orchestral Rock is a pretty niche genre, but it's pretty cool. I got Rocky Horror Picture Show vibes from this. It was like listening to the soundtrack of a musical that doesn't actually exist. I rename the band Tran-Siberian Dork-estra, but I really liked it. The Frog Princess was the standout for me.

I LOVE PRETTY MUSIC!!! beautiful album by a wonderful northern irish musician. Love this man and love this album.

I have rated this high not because I particularly like the album, but because it certainly is a different kind of music and thus has its own peculiarities and style.

Never heard of this singer before. The pop sounds and occational almost bossa nova like singing makes for an album that is easy to listen to. Good album throughout.

Ну ладно, очень даже неплохо. Текста интересные, музыка грандиозна, но приземленна к слушателям. Мелодии въедаются.

Very good The singles are great and the songs that are album tracks sound like a great musical. Closer is great but the highlights are Something for the Weekend and Songs of Love. 4ish baby

I have always loved Neil Hannon's voice and lyrics. I remember the chart success they had with National Express back in the day. I have never really listened to the back catalogue which I will now fix. Stand out tracks: - Something for the weekend - Becoming more like Alfie - In & Out of Paris & London - The Frog Princess - The dogs and the horses

SOOOOO GOOD. There are so many great and clever compositional and arranging ideas on here I could go on for ages about it, but th tl;dr is very lavish arrangements, excellent tone coloring and contrast, and tons of interesting voice leading and contrapuntal ideas- even when its just following the main melody the great orchestration helps a lot. So many hooks, this is like a guidebook on pop melody construction! Ugggghhh I need to write long-form about this sometime. This actually feels quite American for a Brit album- like a very English version of California by Mr. Bungle, or Duke Ellington and Jimmy Durante (less jazzy but still that sort of traditional American pop tradition) with a Cardiacs-esque twist. Plus the lyrics are witty and hilarious.

I’ve been wondering for a while how to rate this. It’s an extremely lavish album in the style of Scott Walker, bolstering a classic britpop sound with something far more theatrical and orchestral and, as the album title maybe implies, is just incredibly horny. There is a very tongue in cheek approach to the blatant chauvinism that almost redeems it, like the singer is playing dress up at being this archetypal ladies man rather than actually believing it, and that makes it a much easier pill to swallow. The epic baritone throughout is really impressive and there are some really fun passages, and even though I kind of hate the whole thing it’s also very good actually

Super Chad. 4.5

8/27/24. Very fun album! Britpop like with big production and a lot of pop sensibility. First time listening to this album and really enjoyed.

Really enjoyed this one! Very joyous, a little objectifying at times, but on the whole an enjoyable album. Big fan of the trumpets.

Pleasantly surprised by this album. Enjoyed the vocals, lyrics, and production. It almost felt like I was listening to a musical with the lyrics being so vivid and the production by grandiose at times. I dont think I would have found my way to this album without the 1001 albums generator so its albums like this that keep me coming back. Great listen.

A little Father Ted theme tune throwback was fun. A couple of other solid tracks too.

I had never heard of this group before but it was actually pretty good. A little goofy at some points but the instrumentation and the lyrics were interesting and creative

Finally, something fun. Not the best album ever, but cool, light, well put-together.

Fun well arran

Shlocky, cheesy, lyrics are at times creepy, and yet I still kinda liked it.

Fav: Charge Least Fav: Theme from Casanova

Decent, but a bit weird

Interesting pop

WHY hasn't anyone made this a Muscial?

Pervy chamber pop.

my loooovely horrrrrrsssssssseeeeeee

Operatic pop, quirky and fun

3.75 stars? All the tracks sound great, and the vocal performances are very big and engaging, but most of the lyrics are a huge turnoff. The songs only start making sense halfway through the album. "The Frog Princess" was an interesting song, but has a sad and almost mean spirited ending. "A Woman of the World" is a bit odd, but is understandable. "Through a Long & Sleepless Night" is a pretty badass song; "Theme from Casanova" is pleasant and an interesting presentation of the theme of the album. "The Dogs and Horses" serves as a big and dramatic closing number.

4 - Liked this, not as much as the other album though. Very fun and lots of musical depth.

Enjoyed this a lot, way more than A Short Album About Love. A very solid bunch of tracks, with a lot of wit and some deliciously lush instrumentation. Fave Tracks: Something for the Weekend, Becoming More Like Alfie, Middle Class Heroes, Charge 4.4/5

This album has the feel of a play with the way it ebbs and flows while building towards the end. I won't say it was always my favorite music but the album overall was enjoyable and definitely thought through. It didn't drown itself in repetition that can happen as an album approaches an hour. The album reminded me to listening to an Andrew Lloyd Webber production. The Dogs & The Horses is an excellent final track that brings the album together. I think it would take another listen to fully judge this album but my score reflects how I felt after my initial listen through.

Middle-Class Heroes has some pleasant trombone and is a chill tune. The Frog Princess is intriguing. A Woman of the World is also enjoyable. Through a Long & Sleepless Night and Theme from Casanova are also great. I was leaning towards a 3 rating but I have to go with 4, it kept me interested but I doubt I'd revisit most of the first half.

Torch songs are not usually my cup of tea. When I started playing this album, I was quite dubious. But it grew on me as we went. Really lovely musically and the lyrics can be downright clever, if not chuckle-worthy. By the end, I thoroughly enjoyed the cheekiness. A nice surprise. Unexpected bangers: In and Out of Paris and London, Middle Class Heroes, A Woman of the World.