Casanova is the fourth studio album by Irish chamber pop band the Divine Comedy, released in 1996 by Setanta Records. It was the band's commercial breakthrough and was certified Gold in the UK in July 1997, aided by the release of the album's first single, "Something for the Weekend", which reached No. 13 on the charts. Two other singles released from the album, "Becoming More Like Alfie" and "The Frog Princess", charted at No. 27 and No. 15, respectively.
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.
This is what you'd get if you asked me to write a Pulp parody album.
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.
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.
Very much loved this record. Voice like Bid...very much like Monochrome Set.
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
I give this Casanova only one Cyrano de Bergerac
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.
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.
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.
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..
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"
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.
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 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.
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?
Meh…b-side of the Austin Powers 2 album. Filler music, forgot I was listening
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.
Please - a decent album, not this banal crap
Father Ted theme for some reason
this is amazing. Its this weird sexual ballad fusion
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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'.
Cheeky and entertaining chamber pop. Tea Father?
One of my favourites.
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!
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.
"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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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).
That was a surprinsingly pleasurable album, very nice songs!
Divine indeed
Este disco es muy interesante. Las letras son inesperadas, algunas chuscas, otras sombrías, e incluso una canción que describe el concepto del disco mismo. Musicalmente, llama la atención que algunas canciones parecen tipo Rammstein, o Interpol. Las canciones transmiten una vibra muy diversa y no aburre. Escuché este disco tres veces, y probablemente lo escuche de nuevo después.
Production: 13/20 Songwriting: 17/20 Innovation: 12/20 Bangers: 15/20 Emotional response: 18/20 =75 What a lovely piece of work well done father.
Asqueroso. Cínico. Grandilocuente. Crudo. Poético. Divertido. El soundtrack de un musical honesto y despiadado. No creo escucharlo completo muy seguido en el futuro, pero no cabe duda de la calidad de la obra. Songs: Something for the Weekend, Songs of Love, The Frog Princess, Through A Long & Sleepless Night
De esto se trata este ejercicio. Sin conocimiento del nombre del grupo ni de sus discos nos echamos el clavado en blanco. Al inicio rápidamente pensé "ahh... es britpop... meh... ok suena a Pulp.. aunque Pulp suena mejor." Después llego la 2a canción y sonó más alejado... llegó la tercera y sonó a ningún grupo comparable de britpop... y siguió cantando con un tono extraño, afectado, exagerado casi operático pero con un dejo de sátira. Y pone uno atención a las letras... y te vas dando que es un disco concepto... y que el concepto es que los personajes aquí son unos imbeciles egoistas que solo les importan sus pitos, rebosantes de misoginia y enormes egos: un hombre tiene como objetivo atraer a una mujer sin decirle que está casado en "Something For The Weekend", mientras que en "In & Out of Paris & London”, otro excusa el asalto y el acoso, argumentando que “esto no es un pecado, ni siquiera es original”. Con el paso de cada canción el disco se hacía cada vez un mayor deleite al ver la inventiva para seguir haciendo una parodia al "arte de la conquista." Musicalmente variadísimo me llevó a pensar en cientos de cosas desde ese Pulp a Gilbert & Sullivan, Oingo Boingo, musicales de Broadway. Después de pasar tiempo de calidad con el álbum, las 11 canciones se convirtieron en canciones de amor que no puedo mas que amar, incluso si en realidad no son de amor sino de sexo (o tal vez especialmente por eso). En un mar de britpop a medio de los 90s, en un género que se caracterizaba por ser simple y sin chiste existió este disco, brillante y con carisma, sofisticado sin tratar de sentirse presumido ni condescendiente. Sí existió buen britpop... solo que era irlandés al parecer.
This guy looks and sounds like a douche bag, but this album was not bad. Actually I found it quiets enjoyable, even if kinda cheesy at times Favorite tracks: “Something For The Weekend,” “The Frog Princess,” and “Through A Long and Sleepless Night”
Si
ну и странная же дичь. Как будто тот самый шестидесятнический-семидесятнический барок-поп по типу карпентерс и волер бразерс, но с бритпоп аранжировками и спорадическими моментами помешательства вокалиста. Сначала как-то вообще отторжение вызвало, но потом немного проникся. Вот как раз тот случай, когда стоит сложить 2 и 2 и скорее решить, что это ты чего-то не понимаешь. Through A Long & Sleepless Night как будто вообще из раннего периода Коэна. Напряженная пиздец тема, а потом расслабляет наоборот, каеф. На высокую оценку, конечно, претендовать не может, и вообще не уверен, что захочу переслушивать, но в целом вероятности не исключаю. Ну пусть будет 7/10 где-то
-Was pleasant to listen to -Some tracks I enjoyed: "A Woman of the World," "Charge," "Middle-Class Heroes," "The Dogs & The Horses," "The Frog Princess," and "Through a Long and Sleepless Night" -I like the classic/orchestralish instrumental
Half cabaret and half pop. We disagreed on the rating- e adored it, j felt neutral.
There were songs which deserved 1 and songs which deserved 5. A few songs were balancing between being interesting or just bad.
Completely unknown to me before, but really cool
Very cool songs, I like.
I usually don't like this music genre, but this one was a nice surprise
Me ha encantado. Es una mezcla entre Bowie y Morrissey.
I like it. You get happy :)
You know what? This was a lot of fun. Reminded me of a lot of Joe Hawley's solo work (Hawaii: Part II). Also reminded me of Taco (Puttin' on the Ritz). Just a fun, goofy album.
Ben Folds does a great cover of Songs of Love so this gets an extra star. Pleasant listen, something different
Very interesting album. It kind of reminded me of a very older more fabulous version of Cake. The last couple tracks were more reminiscent of broadway and New York showtunes though, so that was a fun surprise. I don't know if I would listen to it again but it was definitely unique.
The opening track had some annoying elements (giggling to start, organ bops in the background) but it was still kind of catchy and the lyrics were cheeky/funny. Definitely made me curious about the album and I'd say this observation persisted. The songs were catchy, the lyrics were offbeat but really intricate (cool stuff), starts of tracks had annoying talking bits, and almost every song had some annoying instrument (often from the brass section). It felt like an even more satirical Interpol or Franz Ferdinand. So wacky, but surprisingly infectious. And kudos to creating a theme for the album and sticking to it.
This was… unique. I don’t think I have heard anything like this. The singer first reminded me of Mike Patton, but then he seemed closer to Scott Weiland. It grew on me a lot. Songs like “Charge” and “The Frog Princess “ I really enjoyed. Definitely something I am looking more into.
No es el que más me gusta.
Orchestral pop. Very nice.
What a delightful weird listen
You know, this is kinda catchy. I can definitely see myself listening to this more than a few times.
Muy bueno
Great album, if a little samey throughout. All songs have a slightly arch quality, which works better in some than others. Songs of love and frog princess are my favourites, but all tracks are very good
7/10 cooler than a lot of britpop albums. Felt like a selection of musical theater songs which was interesting, while some of them were really corny it was fun and I especially liked the first 3 tracks.
Very good pop album - lovely story-telling.
Perhaps a bit too clever for its own good but still made me smile
Belle découverte. Arrangements élégants et complexes. Rappelle un peu Bowie, parfois Zappa voire Mr. Bungle, mais en smoking.
Aldrig hört talas om innan men tyckte detta var kul?? Nån sorts ironisk crooner, uppskattade verkligen det. Väldigt solitt låtskrivarhantverk, gillar verkligen hur han använder så många klyschor utan att det låter klyschigt. Kanonplatta imo
njöt i lök
Loved their sound, more time here!
Pretty cool album actually. Super lush and dramatic instrumentation makes the songs really interesting and creative. 7/10
I think I said everything I wanted about Neil Hannon on Songs About Love. Still great, has an absolute classic in Something For The Weekend on here, the song that first piqued my interest as a 12 year old!
Some of it reminded me of Philadelphia Chickens
No es mi favorito.
Britpop con algunas canciones orquestadas. Me ha gustado. Un 4.
I typically don't like these kind of movie soundtrack or life soundtrack type of albums, but this is the 2nd time The Divine Comedy has come up on this site and I have really liked both albums. They are incredibly well written. Great music and good poetry.
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Something for the weekend
Almost Out Scott Walker's Scott Walker. Droll voice, lyrics and tunes. Classsic 90s album
Diferente y chulo
I like this. Quirky, kitsch and unique. I do however prefer “Something 4 the Weekend” by Super Furry Animals. Welsh band, also released in the summer of ‘96, so my first response was disappointment. But still, once I readjusted to what this is actually about, I could get into it. A lot of work went into this, big compositions, poetic but humorous lyrics. Granted though, if not in the mood his tone could be pretty annoying.
first listen very cool very 60s
I was pleasantly surprised, very good songs, especially the first half.
Dracula beats
Another one for the "weird but in a good way" category. Sampling the french national anthem? Sure, why not.
Britpop con algunas canciones orquestadas. Me ha gustado. Un 4.
Bit cheesy at times, but isn't automaticly a bad thing for me. I like it.
The Divine Comedy est absolument intenable. Son déchaînement total n'a d'égal que sa furie. Les invectives de la receptionniste, tentant tant bien que mal de le calmer n'y feront rien, The Divine Comedy est tout simplement hors de contrôle.
The Divine Comedy prouve encore une fois qu'il est bien l'une des révélations masculines de ce générateur. Sa clope à la bouche, il mettra sa claque à tous les métalleux générés jusqu'ici avec une aisance redoutable. Cet album m'amène toutefois à dire une vérité que tout le monde pense tout bas mais que je serai probablement le seul à avoir le courage d'énoncer : il est temps d'en finir avec les reprises de la Marseillaise.
Really enjoyable pop album. Feels erudite and clever and I’m sure it is, but overall it sounds well crafted, fun and pleasing to the ear. Saw Neil and the band in Cambridge about five years ago and they are very enjoyable.
while this isn't typically my bag of tea, this album rips. You really can't deny the grooves, expert instrumentation, or the clear and classy vocals. this may not enter the rotation, but i may revisit every now and then. favorite track: song of love.
Stand-outs: "The Frog Princess," "Middle-Class Heroes," "Theme from Casanova," "The Dogs & the Horses"
Always heard their songs and thought, bit kitch maybe. But really enjoyed this, the father Ted theme made me feel all nostalgic and brought back memories of laughing with the fam.
Despite the fact I'm not always a fan of britpop, this is a nicely written album. A lot of great tracks and hooks
Strange, but clever album. I didn't hear anything ground breaking, but it was edgy, flowed good, and didn't have any bad songs.
Very fun!
This album has a lot to like. It's also got a lot to dislike. It's just got a lot in general. The theme is... pretty cringey, and a bit obnoxious and overblown at times. But, I *think* it's mostly satirical, which seems to be supported by the nuanced lyrics in a lot of the songs. That said, the weird spoken intros/interludes are very much not my jam. And the singer has a very melodramatic singing style which can get annoying as well, although it's usually not that bad. There are some garden-variety tracks on there, ones that just kind of exist and are pleasant to listen to but don't really go anywhere special. But most of the tracks have at least some kind of hook to make them interesting. In the first half of the album, Something For The Weekend and Charge stood out to me, the former for its build-up and plot twist, the latter for its interesting use of harmony and rhythm. I was all ready to give this album a 3, but then I was completely blindsided by Through A Long & Sleepless Night. That song isn't singlehandedly what raised it to a 4, but it is a massive tonal shift that conveys a sense of agitation and discomfort incredibly well (most of the beginning part is in 7!) and has a very satisfying build and resolution. The two closing tracks were also very solid and helped to frame the album as a cohesive unit instead of just a collection of songs about a guy being a sleaze. And that caused me to reinterpret some of the earlier songs, and I went back and listened to parts of them, and I'm pretty happy giving this a 4.