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.

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

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.

I give this Casanova only one Cyrano de Bergerac

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

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...

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.

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

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

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.

Dogshit

Dirty old man, the soundtrack.

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

Please - a decent album, not this banal crap

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.

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.

A meandering pile of ocean trash. Gave me a deeper appreciation for silence.

After previously hearing A Short Album About Love, I found myself to enjoy The Divine Comedy really quite a lot. It goes without saying then, that I went into this album with some optimism. This paid off, as it is quite unlike anything I’ve heard before. It feels a little musical theatre/cabaret at times, but somehow without the cheesy side of it. The vocals are fantastic, the arrangement if very interesting, and the lyrics have a definite tongue in cheek element that I like. Overall, a bloody great album!

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"

Casanova I don’t think I particularly liked the Divine Comedy when this came out - they’ve got all the hallmarks of a band I wouldn’t have liked as a teenager - but listening now has triggered a long forgotten memory that I bought the Becoming More Like Aflie single. Something for The Weekend and Becoming More Like Alfie are a great start, both excellent 60s-lounge adjacent pop songs, but it’s definitely a bit of a mixed bag after that. Some of it I really enjoyed and some of it grated. When it’s on the right side of knowing archness it’s a great cabaret-chamber-pop album with some nicely wry lyrics - Down and Out in Paris and London, Songs of Love and Through A Long and Sleepless Night I really liked and The Frog Princess is excellent. But it often stumbles the other way, and you get a sense of slightly smug self satisfaction, the feeling he’s not quite as clever as he thinks he is and the music becomes too cabaret and too musical theatre - Middle Class Heroes, Charge, Theme from Casanova and The Dogs and the Horses are all quite irritating. He has a great ear for a melody and a hook, and he's more often than not a very good lyricist, and I quite like the 60s cinematic lounge style of Something for the Weekend and Becoming More Like Alfie a lot, I just get a bit lost when he leans to heavily into cabaret. It’s probably just about tips into a 3. ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 Playlist submission: Becoming More Like Alfie

I can’t make my mind up if I liked it or not

At first I was like, I like this and then by the end I was like is aight

Some whiny shit.

What is this

If flight of the conchords wasn't funny

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.

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?

Not sure exactly what I just listened to tbh. The real divine comedy was that i listened to the whole thing.

This guy has to be a sexual predator.

Don't know who this is but fuck him and his terrible album

Man, reading the reviews of this album on here reveals there are a lot of people who a) don’t have a sense of humour and b) lack fairly basic comprehension skills to understand what this album is about. This is a wry, filthy, regretful, bombastic and incredibly catchy collection of songs. Mostly sung in character, the songs here are both hilarious and affecting An album that contains the lyrics “Everybody knows that no means yes, just like glasses come free on the NHS” alongside “Sing a happy song, for spring does not last long, a flowers blooms and then it’s gone” is running quite the gamut of pathos The sound of The Divine Comedy is best described as chamber pop, or a hybrid of Pulp and Scott Walker. But it is easy to overlook that, for all the pastiche, there is nobody else out there that is able to pull off Neil Hannon’s alchemy. What Douglas Adams is to sci-fi, or Terry Pratchett is to fantasy, Neil Hannon is to the Orchestral pop song. Something For The Weekend, Alfie, Songs Of Love, Frog Princess, Dogs & The Horses - all terrific songs that can make you laugh and/or cry In truth this is probably a 4⭐️ album as occasionally it does go a little too far over the top (hello Charge, which is a fun joke played a little too long) but so many people have missed the genius of this album that I’m going the full 5 to compensate

I really enjoy this album. He's so witty. And Songs of Love is of course the theme tune to the greatest TV show ever made.

Hello! Ooh! Heeheehee, you bloody pervert. Ah, well I love this one. Making up for the strange inclusion of his second worst record (which isn't really even an album) earlier in the list. Something in his genes/jeans told him to pretend... This record is one of my most played, ever since Chris Evans championed them on the breakfast show and I borrowed the CD of a friend, and just completely fell in love. The voice also suited my singing voice and although I haven't listened through to this particular album in years I still know every single word, having spent most of my teens singing along in my bedroom. Effortlessly well painted characters, unloveable rogues, devastating takedowns of the middle-class, an incredibly unsubtle and yet witty war-is-sex metaphor, the Father Ted theme tune, Dickens quotes, endless references to the French Revolution and Breakfast At Tiffany's, a Radio 3 back announcement, before ending, no, CLIMAXING on a wonderfully beautiful piece of musical theatre (presaging Neil and Joby Talbot's future achievements in scoring Wonka by almost 30 years). What the hell more do you want, you ingrates??! 😂 I jest, taste is personal. But this record was a huge part of my cultural education, I only later realised why I went on to love Scott Walker and Jacques Brel "Institutionalised mediocrity.....wit, against shit" "....and I said "wa-hey! Yeah!" "Burn your briefs we leave for France tonight" "Maybe I need her because I want to be her - Baby, can I be your girl?" "The entire lyrics of Through A Long and Sleepless Night" He even went on to top this effort, arguably twice. Hence why I was quite annoyed to get the follow up instead of the two after that in the book which were far more deserving. Slightly upsetting that the good folk of this site either hate this or have never heard of Divine Comedy, Neil deserves better.

I was not expecting this album to be so fun. It’s a mix of Morrissey and Scott Walker with some dramatic arrangements.

I love this album so much. While it's not my #1 favourite DC album (Short Album about Love gets that honour), it's a close second. From the pop ridiculousness (a good thing) of Something for the Weekend, to the fact that The Dogs and The Horses has never not made me cry, it's filled with tune after tune after tune. I just had a dance around my kitchen to 'Becoming More Like Alfie'. It won't be to everyone's taste, but if you buy into Neil Hannon's world, you'll come away happy.

Frog Princess, I am a muppet

Went through this record three times in a row, really special album with plenty of surprises and original sounds and words

Welcome to the Stomach Room! Oh, look it's Scott Walker & Burt Bacharach. Hello, Burt, hello Scott! What's playing? Sounds like chamber pop mixed in (or is it up?) with a bit of Brit pop & Frank Sinatra, old blue eyes himself! Sounds so strange, yet so very familiar. Did Noel Coward show? Of course! Go say hi!

8.5/10 - The bio said he was influence by scott walker and I can very much hear that. But also idk why but this album was actually amazing to me. I loved becoming more like alfie, frog princess, woman of the world and theme from cassanova. The scott walker influence is most heard in dogs and the horses.

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.

A beautifully orchestrated masterpiece with brilliant and sharp lyricism thru out.

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

Thankfully I heard this after Scott Walker's Scott 2, because this album is heavily influenced by it. It feels like an attempt to create a 90s version of Jackie, and it succeeds somewhat. The highs are not as high, the lows are not as low, and it doesn't pull off the sleazyness nearly as well. However, I appreciate the sheer theatricality of this album, it goes 10 miles over the top and it knows it. Appended: This has become, over the years since I originally reviewed it, one of my favorite albums ever made.

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

Some solid and interesting BritPop, similar to Pulp or elements of Belle and Sebastian. Baroque-pop? Worth listening to, although not sure I'll listen often. First song was especially solid.

Enjoyed this. Will look into more of their output. Quite enjoyed the Reissue but can't delve too deep as got to catch up on missed stuff.

wow!!! this was really good, never heard of it before! like a chamber Pulp

The 90s could have been the greatest decade in music ever, and Britpop is indisputably one of the greatest genres in music ever. The Divine Comedy reminds me of Pulp, but more baroque. Neil Hannon has the same range and a very similar wit to Jarvis Cocker, so it was easy for me to enjoy this record.

Speakeasy, theatre, orchestral delight!

These are well-crafted and interesting songs. The production is very good, though sometimes the overly fussy arrangements are off-putting. Vocalist (and songwriter) Neil Hannon is singing in character on this album, which mostly works but is a little too mannered on some of the tracks.

Not heard this for a while - top notch!

Genre: narrative poetry For painting Cool liked that

I'd never heard of them, but way more fun than I was expecting from the description and the photo.

The frog princess were our nickname for Len’s 2nd wife. Joanna Toad. 4.3

Like

It’s actually not too bad for me. The lyrics are cringey.. especially the middle class heros.. but I believed he created this album purely to entertain people not just because he thinks it’s cool. And it kinda worked.. people have strong opinions about it. One star is better than 3 stars. -1 star is as good as a four. Music wise, it’s not too bad?? I do like all the theatrical elements. And I love IT crowd, so this is a four for me.

Requires two listens to fully enjoy. Broadway musical feel with some great lyrics and orchestration.

The word "overblown" was created to describe the sound of The Divine Comedy. It's like if Morrissey got horny and more predatory, then someone offered him a free two-week session with an orchestra. "Everyone knows that 'no' means 'yes,'" is a line that I choose to take as a tongue-in-cheek reference to Alfie and the singer's need to be a lothario. I got strong "The Continental" vibes from the spoken introduction to a few of these songs. There is a lot of potentially questionable talk on this album but I think it's clearly intended as parody. Hopefully. I had never heard this album or any song by the Divine Comedy before. Fully bombastic singing that could be tongue-in-cheek is right down my alley though. The songs I enjoyed were: Something for the Weekend Becoming More Like Alfie Charge Songs of Love The Frog Princess A Woman of the World The Dogs & the Horses Really enjoyed this one, as I can enjoy kitsch.

4/5

I had never heard of this album, let alone the band. This is a work of parody, camp, and novelty, aptly named. Though novelty or camp doesn’t connect with my musical soul, this is novelty on the grandest scale. In fact in a way this work seduced me much like its namesake, Casanova himself seduced his patrons and lovers. Rather than feeling ripped off or violated, I feel rather satisfied by the experience of listening to this album.