Casanova

Syns musikken var kjip og vanskelig å høre på.

Helt uinteressant før, under og etter lytting. Charge er både den mest interessante og den mest irriterende sangen. Skjønner ikke hvorfor denne plata er på lista.

Supposedly influenced by Scott Walker. I can hear it. It's equally as unlistenable as Scott Walker.

I have genuinely never heard of The Divine Comedy before, but i guess that’s because they never really hit it big in Germany. That album cover is amazing, though. Anyways, i had no expectations going into it. Halfway through the album i realized i have no idea what Casanova is aiming to be - it has some comedic qualities (especially those terrible pieces of „dialogue“ in some songs), but the production goes all out with an orchestral backing in other parts, while Hannon’s vocals come across as dead-serious, though powerful and attention-grabbing. Is this a parody of Britpop? The self-seriousness of large parts of 90s music in general? Maybe that would explain why the album in parts leans very heavily into kitsch and pastiche - both things i can enjoy but that left me quite puzzled in this instance. Maybe it would also explain the misogynistic tones in some of the lyrics (I really have no idea what to make out of Cannon and that terrible line „Everybody knows that no means yes“). And that could work if the actual music itself would commit to the idea, but it is so self-serious that at no point did i get the impression that the Casanova in question was a character meant to criticize and parody - yeah, it’s sort of hinted at here and there but doesn’t really feel like a through-line. There’s probably some cultural context i’m missing that would paint a clearer picture.

This is a really strange choice for this band. By far their cringiest record.

i used to really like these, but then i didn't - and i had forgotten why. happy to re-visit, but i now remember why i stopped listening. just too much.

I felt very uncomfortable listening to this, but maybe that’s the point.

Not sure I agree that this belonged to the Alternative genre. Kinda boring - felt like I was in JC Penneys.

No private session used for Spotify. Too dramatic and lounge-ish for me. Add "chamber pop" to the growing list of genres that this site has showed me I don't like. Hearing the original "Songs of Love" was interesting.

I’m not against concept albums but when they don’t hit then they can be rough and this did not hit. I wish I was hit hard enough to forget about this.

Listened to this some time ago and forgot to review, what I remember of it was that it was theatrical and weird, but not grating or annoying. I felt like it was a concept album for someone who isn't me. General memory of it is vague but positive, so feels like a 2.5 rounded down for being unmemorable.

He’s sort of a Britpop Tom Jones singing some fairly cringeworthy lyrics. The music itself sounds nice enough, but I’m not a fan of the subject matter. It goes on way too long as well. Maybe one track could be fun in a Britpop mix, but a whole album isn’t necessary. Not as witty as it thinks it is.

Today was is a bit confusing. I'm not convinced I actually like the album, it has an unsettling distastefulness lyrically, and is kind of comedy kitsch but not kitschy enough... IAnyway, some of the stories kind of cut through/are confronting because of a kind of carefree 'give no fucks' honesty. 7: the Frog Princess is one of those. (I carry a fear of Stoneheartedness) . 9: Through a Long and Sleepless Night, for both the words but also probably the track I liked most musically speaking. I chose 11: Dogs & Horses as favourite track on the album as it's an anthemic reminder to make the most of life. It could almost be something to carry in a breast pocket, like a picture of a Queen Anne Chair.

Didn't grab me. Not a very focused listen unfortunately. I found it thoroughly uninteresting and so slightly tuned out without meaning to. Something about the lyrical delivery bugged me I think. At the end I think something a bit more musical and ambitious was happening, so I might have missed a trick there.

An arrogant sound that the songs don't back up

Not really a fan.

I'm not quite sure why this is on this list but it was at least a cohesive concept album about womanizing. The first song was quite good.

This is too much theatrical for me. Some of the songs were quite pleasant with a touch of the Noel Coward. "Songs of Love" has a nice sound with pretty music, can see why this was chosen as the "Father Ted" theme tune.

I thought I didn't like the divine comedy and this album only served to reaffirm that. I just don't get it. Are they supposed to be funny? They certainly aren't good. The leaf singer's voice is annoying and posh. One review stated they're like a Pulp parody. I certainly see that. A really terrible one

I've listened to Neil Hannon on a couple of non-music podcasts and he's clearly a lovely chap who speaks interestingly about a range of things. Because of that I wish I liked his music a bit more. It seems a shame that someone so nice produces stuff I just don't like very much on the whole. I did quite enjoy the instrumental theme at the end of the album – almost a bit of Belle and Sebastian style thing going on there. And there are vibes of that in places, a band I adore. But Hannon's vocals just don't do the thing Murdoch does I'm afraid. Obviously this is largely tongue in cheek I guess, but the theme isn't something I can really get on board with either. So not really for me.

The instrument usually pop more than the vocal in some songs conceptually not a bad album but overall 3.1/10

I didn't even mind the other Divine Comedy album on here, but two is pushing it and this is just not as good. Well-produced though.

As much of a performance or presentation as an album, this one is a swing and a miss for me. Bombastic, musical, singer's voice is actually kind of fun, and at least it doesn't take itself too seriously, which is fortunate as far as that goes. Took a couple spins for me to be able to acknowledge that there is something here worth knowing, just not going to need to come back for this.

Something for the Weekend - 3/5 Becoming More Like Alfie - 2/5 Middle-Class Heroes - 3/5 In & Out of Paris & London - 2/5 Charge - 1/5 Songs of Love - 3/5 The Frog Princess - 3/5 A Woman of the World - 3/5 Through a Long & Sleepless Night - 3/5 Theme From Casanova - 2/5 The Dogs & the Horses - 2/5 Average score: 2.5/5 ⭐️⭐️ is it just me, or do some of these songs sound kinda creepy with all that "no means yes" talk in the lyrics? i never had high hopes going into this album, but i sure as hell didn't expect to feel the need to cover my drink listening to this rapey lyrics aside, i didn't find this album all that interesting, though i'll admit the songs vastly improved in quality once i reached the halfway point. i don't think this belongs in the rank of the worst albums on this list, but it's definitely not among the best

I genuinely got upset when this album got recommended. I have already heard another one from this band and I didn't like it, so my expectations were incredibly low. In addition, I've being feeling very stressed today, so having to listen to this didn't help improving my mood. Fortunately, once I stopped worked and I felt more relaxed, I gave it another chance and it wasn't that bad. Still not good, but at least I wasn't feeling as it was the worst thing ever. As his following album, "A Short Album About Love" (the one I have heard), this is a try to be funny and grandiose Chamber Pop. What carries the record is the orchestral instrumentation, as the vocals can get incredibly tedious. At worst, he is a Scott Walker wannabe (another artists I can't say I really like), having an incredibly pretentious and irritating voice, and at best, his singing is just decent. The lyrics also do anything for me. Some people point them out as funny, but I do not find anything slightly humorous. Coming back to the instruments, while way better, they weren't doing anything that grabbed my attention. Some nice melodies, but nothing astonishing or truly memorable. Furthermore, this album is 50 minutes long and 20 minutes longer than the following one, so it is expected I liked this even less.

It’s pretty pedestrian as it is, but the fact that this came out in the 90s makes it even worse. It’s mid-tier baroque pop with lyrics that seem to take themselves very seriously but come off as only camp and witless snark.

Never heard of them before 1. Oh lord, interesting start with something for the weekend 2. Good vanilla bop 3. Oh no, it's another pervy vampire song 3. 15 seconds in: Pedo vampire???? 4. Back to vanilla bop 5. Stoopid pervy vampire again in black face 6. I'm kind of over this... It's a concept album for sure but good God there are some that just shouldn't be released.

I don't know what this album is. It's quirky and fun. But is it good? I still don't know.

++: Something for the Weekend, Charge, A Woman of the World, Through a Long & Sleepless Night, The Dogs & the Horses +: Becoming More Like Alfie, In & Out of Paris & London, The Frog Princess +-: Songs of Love, Theme from Casanova -: Middle-Class Heroes 5,5/10

Tja. Hadde kanskje falt for dette på 90-tallet. Begynner å bli gammel?

My patience with this album was on the ropes by the third track, which meant the remaining eight were a slog. This feels very adjacent to another favorite of the 1001 book, Pulp—literary, self-satisfied, ironic, and irritating. The music is fine, if a little too Broadway theatrical for me. Another Divine Comedy album is on this list, so there's more irritation to come.

that was pleasant, nothing to write home about though. wondering why he's on here

Campy, cheesy, loungey. Not for me.

This feels like Morrissey's version of a musical. Moody, nonchalant, emoting. And it's not just me. My algorithm agreed, suggesting Morrissey directly after the album finished.

Setting aside the more obvious Scott Walker influence - this sounds like an entire album inspired by the Doors' "Touch Me". While that's not a good thing I can't fully write it off. He seems be having fun here mixing seriousness, self deprication, irony and satire all backed by ample strings. I don't want to hear it again. I get it but I don't care save Theme for Casanova which cooks.

recently listened to Meat Loaf's Bat Out Of Hell, which is in a quirky and theatrical kinda spectrum of albums, somewhat like this one. and i'd say that these two albums go on opposite sides of that quirky and theatrical spectrum. I preffer the Meat Loaf's side. sorry, Neil.

This album was such a mixed bag. There were a few moments that I found genuinely sweet that I enjoyed, but most of it came off so pretentious or cheesy. I’m some of it was meant to be ironic, but it still didn’t sit well with me. I was surprised to see this guy had another album on the list because the first album I listened to from him was such a drag.

Parody is by definition a cynical art form, but it borders on nihilism when no accounting for such parodistic angles really exists. Exponents of 'chamber pop,' The Divine Comedy is at bottom just nineties baroque pop a la Scott Walker, The Associates, etc. Yet while Walker is our baroque genius, able to effect a classic sound made of dying aesthetics, The Divine Comedy has no interest in being taken seriously, happy to make fun of 'making fun of,' except on 'Songs of Love' & 'The Frog Princess,' closer to something that Stephin Merritt would compose, i.e., they're the best tracks here by far b/c they're soulfully eloquent. The rest is drab & insouciant, never in a durable Wildean mode. Irony is a necessary tool, but featureless parody dispirits.

Without the spoken word parts, this might have been good. I get that they are meant to be satirical, but they still aren't funny in spite of that. Plus, the humor of the lyrics is very much lost on me, and his lounge lizard-meets-David Bowie vocals get old by track 4.

Pretentious but I think that was the intent. Some of the lyrics were interesting but overall I didn’t like the sound or the style of music.

Got a little less than half way through before tapping out. This is clown music (derogatory). I want the vocalist to take a vow of silence. It’s a shame because they are doing something musically interesting, it’s just also musically obnoxious. I’m not going to give it one star because I get why this is here but it’s the very first album to make me tap out nevertheless.

Phenomenally stupid and cringe album. Really pretentious musical theatre vibes coming off this lead singer.

Neat. I liked it a lot at the beginning, a bit less in the middle, and then the end was a strong finish.

Huh?

In wat voor rare musical ben ik nu weer beland?

This is so painfully uncool.

Didn’t hate it but felt slightly uncomfortable listening

could not listen in the library

Very funky, not bad

Un band de pop orchestrale Irlandais, pourquoi pas! Les mélodies sont bonnes, mais ça vient peu me chercher, je reste assez indifférent. Je m'en doutais avec le titre de leur album, ce sont des chansons un peu ''lover''. J'ai commencé à apprécier un peu plus le style vers la fin.

The Divine Comedy have crafted their sound and it delivers some good tunes and entertaining lyrics. Enjoyed this album.

An interesting album. Not a huge fan of when this guy talks in the middle of his songs. Some songs were very theatrical in production which made for an interesting listen. Most of the songs, however, don't stand up on their own and I will not be listening to them on their own.

The benign comedy… I can appreciate the production, no doubt about that. But it’s not for me. Songs like 'Songs of Love' and 'A Woman of the World’ brought it up from a 2 to 2.5. Insane voice on this guy btw.

This just isn’t coming together for me. The writing is good, and it’s all well put together and mixed right and all that, but it’s just missing a spark to me

I can't tell if I'm more annoyed by the tongue-in-cheek bullshit that makes up the bulk of the album or the parts that are actually trying to be sincere. Every time it started to work for me, the singer would find a new way to push me away. That said, I get why this works for somebody. Just not me.

Well produced, but too theatrical for my taste. No desire to listen to this again.

< the Beatles

So pretentious!

Sliskigt värre. Svag tvåa

I vissa stunder fick jag verkligen kämpa mig igenom det här albumet. Gillade inte alls sångrösten och fick en dålig vibb. Men musikaliskt ändå mysigt på sina håll så det får ändå landa i en tvåa.

Ganska kul ibland, ganska panguselt ibland. Pulp-Frank Sinatra på hallucinogener.

Enjoyable just not for me

I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This is a sort of lounge music to my ears. Wikipedia says Britpop and orchestral pop. I really do not care for this and would not listen again.

Rating: 5/10 Sort of in the genre of the annoying theatrical Scott 2 school of music, this was not the kind of thing I want to listen to even though it's adequately made eclectic stuff that is surely for some people.

Gradually worse the longer you listen

leichtes popgeträller.

5 / 10

I mean style was chill but ya lyrics where troubling at times and mostly underwhelming

what is this a fratboy musical theatre

What did I just listen to?

Why is this on the list? Is it suppose to be a joke like Weird Al or something else from Dr Demento? Over the top, theatrical Brit pop that I thought was trying to be funny, but wasn’t. 0 songs added to playlist. Gets one extra star for not being unlistenable.

Dit album, en dan vooral de zanger, voelt als een soort parodie op zichzelf. Ontzettend overdreven, bijna als een soort musical word alles gezongen en daar moet je van houden. Ik vind het niet verschrikkelijk en sommige nummers zelfs best wel lekker, maar af en toe word het mij wat te veel. Ja, dit is ontzettend campy popachtige rock? Singer Songwriter? Musicalfolk? Weet ik veel, ik krijg ontzettend het idee dat dit een soort soundtrack is van een musical die ik niet heb gezien. Nu haat ik musicals dus dat is geen al te goed teken. Een beetje Meatloaf's Bat out of hell, maar dan iets minder fun en rock n roll en meer musical. Helaas, ik waardeerde dan toch de meer fun en rock n roll, al kan ik me er niet helemaal aan het idee onttrekken dat dit meer een soort ironisch bedoelde musical is in plaats van daadwekelijk serieuze muziek. Lang verhaal kort; I am not your Casanova... Ultimate Kaos did it better. FAVO: Becoming more like Alfie, A woman of the world

Not my thing - there were interesting arrangements but i just didn’t feel it

I usually like chamber pop and britpop but this album is too theatrical and kitchy overall. I liked some of the baroque pop songs on this album but not the over the top ones. I am also not sure why it is on the list.

This was so buns i’m sorry to this guy I couldn’t make it through

Musical theatre nonsense.

Blur, Oasis, and Pulp should be severely punished for the onslaught of Britpop. Not saying all Britpop is bad, but *points at album*

The Divine Comedy is better enjoyed in small doses. This is the reason why I liked "A Short Album About Love". "Casanova" was good for the first 5 tracks. After that, it got boring really quickly. Reviewers on this website have also pointed that out. 2 stars for "Casanova".

There's two or three decent songs on here.

Teaterpop som antingen flyter på ytan eller blir överdrivet dramatisk. Neil Hannon jobbar med croonersången, men saknar riktigt djup. Enda undantaget är Frog princess, som svänger lite åt Dexys-hållet.

The singer sort of sings like he's in a stage musical, but not in the style that I like. 1.5 stars

I love the Flight of the Conchords but had a hard time making it through this "comedy" album.

Stays too long. Find it smarmy. Would be 1 star but some of the orchestration/piano/instrumental backing is nice.

Pretty boring music

Erikoinen levy. Ei kuitenkaan niin erikoinen, että nostaisi pisteitä. Silti 2,25/5.

Not for me, sorry!

There's nothing offensive about this record or anything, but something just seems a little sinister about it. Maybe it was the creepy intro on the first track, but I just can't listen to it.

the production is way too clean for my liking and the songs themselves feel like some sort of melodramatic scott walker-esque overdramatic nonsense. not for me

Not enjoyable as a whole. Some songs were ok. Most were not.

If there's one good thing I've taken away from this album it's the burning desire to go and rewatch Father Ted. Honestly whilst I enjoyed this in part, the lyrics and their delivery made me feel icky. "So I suggested. She protested. I persisted til she said Well OK. And I Said WeyHey". Even if the lyrics are meant to be taken as irony, it's a bit much for the full album. Favourites: Something for the Weekend Charge Songs of Love

too quirky for me

Like, is this a play? What am I hearing here. Maybe it’s meant to be a comedy album

theater kids going feral

It was ok, quite catchy lyrics, with his distinctive voice,but not really for me.

Again a little corny for me not my thing

Kinda fun but not really good, the songs feel like a play which adds a unique flair to it so I give it credit for that

I think it's already been well-established that this kind of music just just not for me.

This came out in 1996? Really? I'd believe 1976. It's fine, I guess. Not my thing, maybe? I didn't hate it, but I won't come back to it.

boring

He gets some points for musical ambition on this album, but for the most part it allows him to suck in a variety of musical styles.

2/5 - One album of this guy was enough

Fuck this pretentious tosser and his embarrassing attempts at louche seduction.

I'm sure this is good to whatever niche genre it belongs to. If fact, objectively this is a fine album. I just don't like it. I understand the quality, it appeals to a certain audience. I'm not that audience.

What 2/5

4.5/10

With the knowledge that The Divine Comedy are playing with irony, this album is... fine. I liked some of the songs in the second half. But the two opening songs are so brutal, it's hard to get past them.

Weird British Pop. This gives me Prozzak vibes but way less sexual so whats the point?

I really enjoyed this album at first but as it went on that diminished until by the end I was very much not a fan. It was like a less fun, British Prozzak. Sucks to be you The Divine Comedy

Nah. It for me, it has that quirky feel about it but no substance in my opinion

Really really not my thing

2.5 This was interesting. I’m not against chamber/baroque pop at all, it’s usually smooth and different than most other pop. But the singing and lyrics here sometimes threw me off. Not sure if I’ll revisit, but it’s better than most other 2 star albums so far.

Jemig, wat een irritante muziek. Een soort Nick Cave-imitatie maar dan zo opgeblazen en aanstellerig dat je d'r kriegel van wordt. Meer schurkenmuziek à la Ute Lemper. Ik kende deze gasten verder alleen van de titelmuziek van de hilarische Ierse comedyserie Father Ted (hier herkenbaar als 'Songs of love'), en daar hadden ze het wat mij betreft rustig bij kunnen laten.

Een artiest uit de 90s waar ik nog nooit van heb gehoord. Dat kom je alleen tegen in deze snoblijst. Bij het zien van het genre chamber pop weet ik al dat ik een snobalbum voorgeschoteld ga krijgen. Gelukkig hoeven we nog maar een album of 200, al zullen we daar nog een album van deze Divine Comedy tegenkomen. We begeven ons zuchtend en steunend richting het einde van deze snoblijst, die keer op keer blijft verbazen. De muziek is op zich verder niet slecht. Het zijn een beetje niemendalletjes, soms iets theatraal aangezet qua stem als een croonende David Bowie of Grace Jones. Er zit een melancholisch toetertje in, wat strijkers of iets van een xylofoon. Je zou kunnen zeggen om wat sfeer te brengen, maar vermoedelijk ook om een bepaald snobpubliek te behagen. Kijk een beetje moeilijk, gooi er een half orkest tegenaan, en je ticketprijs kan x2 en je kan een retourtje North Sea Jazz of iets anders high-brows boeken. Het is ergens een vergeetbare 3, maar als je 2 albums van deze snobistische Britpop opneemt in je snoblijst en geen plek inruimt voor Mezzanine, dan is het de hoogste tijd om de minpunten uit de kast te halen.

Why is this on here

Didn’t like this much at all. It was like the true average of every song among the Shrek 1 and 2 soundtracks

Its trying to be really campy and funny about asshole men lead by their dick, but its just falls compeletely flat for me and doesn't land. It just turns into a very difficult to listen to album about some of the worst men you have ever encountered in your life. It's not a 1 because the music itself is really good and it was a case of 1 is not like the others because the last song is a very ernest song about pets dying and it got me.

2/5 Most of this album was an excrutiating listen, mostly because of the rapey lyrics. Even though I fully understand that the main characters in the songs were meant to be the bad guy - I could barely get through this album. The last two songs made it a 2 for me instead of a 1, but never again, thank you, NEXT.

I didn't care for this much. It may have been huge in the UK, but it just doesn't hit with me. Not bad, but I'm good without it. 4/10

What is this? 2.

Didn’t like

5/10 - not objectively bad but can't remember any song, he is a good lyricist though

It wasn't exactly bad per se, but the sum of the parts did not work for me. 2.1

Not my thing

There’s bands I haven’t seen yet in this list yet I get more than 1 Divine Comedy album. I don’t really remember what my review was on the last album I heard from these guys but it’s more on the weak side than the so so side. Vocals are weak either way no range. That works with very few people. Not working with this guy. So ya, nope. Maybe I’m in an asshole mood but I don’t feel it.

I found this a bit smug.

Don't mind some of the vocals, but a lot of the instrumentals are a bit cheesy. Don't normally pay attention to lyrics, but the few I noticed here were pretty off-putting. A couple decent songs throughout the album, but otherwise fairly forgettable.

The album about having so very much sex - sometimes even without coercion! The teenage-esque levels of horny are only saved by some good instrumentation and vocals, but not enough for me to listen to this again.

This smells like incel. It's not, and some of the music and vocals are quite nice, but it doesn't feel great to listen to.

jsp jsuis pas fan j'aime pas les paroles après la musique en elle même me dérange pas juste c'est là et ça m'est égal

This one did not resonate with me. I like his voice, unique and deep, but the music did not grab me.

Not a style I find compelling, but its fine

Monotonous, unimpressive. Cool but meh.

Hard one to rate, bonus point for being very unique at least. This is some halfway between muzak, music hall and musicals, inhabiting both the best and worst of said styles. The songs are all over the place, some parts I actually quite liked but most of it was really drab and unpleasant. I will most likely never listen to this again, but it's commendable to make a pop album as hard to listen to as this.

I've only ever listened to the Divine Comedy on the radio, so playing a full album is new territory. I knew Neil Hannon did clever lyrics etc, but i didn't realise they were what is known as Chamber Pop. It makes sense after listening to this, as it is all very witty and overblown with hints of classical music. I didn't mind it, I wouldn't say it set me on fire to go and listen to anything more by them. Or even feel the need to play this again.

One of the reasons why I think this book should have had a limit on how many albums from one entity there is is because if an artist is influential enough we were already going to have a bunch of copycat artists anyway. Like this one, I start listening and immediately think of early Scott Walker, who we have already listened to, and now I have to listen to him again, just in these guys' interpretation And you know who I blame for this? Beatles. The way I see it, Mr. Book Author put 40 Beatles albums on the list, because let's be real, they're all different from each other and one of them is even good, and then thought to himself 'Well, if I put so many Beatles albums in there, but not gonna put the same amount of Dylan Bobs, people are gonna think that I think Bob Dylan is less important... Not good, gotta equalise'. And thus long story short at the end of the day we end up with 5 The Byrds albums. Did we have to hear them before we die? Fuck no. Did Mr. Book even expect us to actually listen to all of them? I doubt so. But here we are. Hating on The Beatles

Could do without it, like many, many other albums on this list

Irritating smug tongue-in-cheek tunes. No thanks.

No

It's OK if you like this. We can still be friends.

2/5

boring!!!!

I’m not wild about Morrissey as a solo act, so why would I want to listen to a slightly different Temu Moz? Did not dig it. TBF, I didn’t end up finishing it. 2.5 for the “slightly different” part. Horns and instrumentation was fun.

Did not like, I tried and it was late lonnnggggggg

It was hard to tell if this was a joke or not. Perhaps the title is an indicator? Maybe, maybe not. But in either case, this was a challenging listen that was pretty tough to take seriously. It was one part goofy ass lounge music (sort of), and one part creepy dude trying his hand at smooth talk with an imaginary lady. This record is honestly so fucking weird, and the novelty wears off pretty quick. 2/5

4.0/10

I liked the other album by this group more than this one.

Wasn't really big on this one tbh. Felt pretty dated in some of its terms and just didn't really enjoy it.

Honestly, this just sounded like a mediocre pop album from the 90s with a crooner as a lead singer. Just couldn't get into it.

I really liked the music but my gawd is this dude so corny when singing lmao

Weird fucking little thing? Weird setting for me, too. I need a guide. TWO !

I remember vaguely that they were pretty well regarded back then? If so, standards were low: it's very disposable 90s pop with a tiresome archness. Completely inessential.

pretty schmaltzy for 1996

2/3

2nd Divine Comedy album in a week for me. And that really, really drives home the point that as a rule, there shouldn't be more than one album from the same artist, except for really and truly outstanding exceptions. Beatles, Bowie, Björk and Pink Floyd might get a pass on that rule, for instance. Divine Comedy definitely have their own sound - chamber pop, apparently - so I can see why they're included to begin with. But it really is an acquired taste for most people, including myself. I like the odd song of theirs but when I listen to more it l becomes a bit much, dripping with... A bit of sleaziness, actually, that doesn't seem to be ironic, either.

Maybe after repeat listens I would get it more, but for now it leaves me kind of flat.

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⭐️

PK, bbut it doessn't hold up

Perhaps if I was in a good mood, I would be entertained by this album.

I really don't like this style of music. 2 stars or D-.

I've zero recollection of this album from the mid 90s. No wonder really. Questionable lyrics and themes. Talking a load of bollocks really. There is a quirky Britishness to it, sure. However it's a forgettable album, which is exactly what I'll do now.

Cheese

Strikes a droll british tone. It works in only a handful of songs, though I see the musical talent.

Meh. Sounds like something better suited to stage/musical. Pleasant surprise hearing the Father Ted soundtrack though!

Sounds like the lost soundtrack to a 1970s community-theatre panto adaptation of A Clockwork Orange.

Like the original Divine Comedy I went through different circles of thought on this. I didn’t care for it, then I thought meh, then I perked up, then I hated it, finally at the end I was intrigued. I don’t know if that’s a recommendation - but there it is.

Boring music, bad lyrics

• 2/5 • Insipid • Sounds like the soundtrack to a mockumentary

What did I just listen to? I feel like I need a shower now. Listened before? N Saved to library? N Favorite track(s): N/A ⭐⭐: Didn't like it, didn't hate it. Saved no tracks.

2.3 1x in BER airport on way back to ATL

This sounded like an old Vaudeville act. Risqué, crass, fun, crazy, strange.

Strangely hammy, weirdly rapey, oddly energetic.

I really don't like The Divine Comedy longer than about a song length.

ook

Best Song: Something for the Weekend. This has a lovely, rolling energy to it. Whimsical and playful. Really nice. Worst Song: Charge. This sounds like three different mediocre theatre songs all merged together into one song that is somehow worse than the sum of its parts. Overall: Another of those British entries that can be broadly classified as "failed theatre music". Were there just entire decades wherein "camp" was the dominant cultural trend in England?

It’s as if the clangers dropped acid and recorded an LP. Worst album on here so far

Even Smiths/Morrisey and Echo and the Bunnymen can make me enjoy this one. Somehow it's a 5 when Belle and Sebastien do it. This just feels boring to me. Not bad, just boring.

This album is not bad, but we're talking about "albums you SHOULD hear before you die". I don't think it deserve a spot.

Sorry but this was honestly annoying

please,,, please stop

I dunno it was just a bit goofy

Catchy, but kind of annoying.

There were some decent melodies here, but something about it was a little off putting. I don’t know if it was the voice, lyrics, show tune like sound, or a combination of all.

This guy sure does like to write about horses. And while this is not quite as bad or annoying as A Short Album About Love, do we really need two albums from this band on the list? This one follows the same feel as the other, which places the listener inside what appears to be a tongue n cheek musical. But I’m not so sure he’s doing it with a wink and a smile. And that is what’s even more frightening.

This felt like mostly a prank that at moments asked us to take it seriously, but just for a sec

This was so confusing. I guess interesting and decent at parts but I really didn’t get it. Charge I’m like “what the eff am I listening to???” And then songs of love!?! And frog princess!?! Props on the range but this didn’t really connect with me.

This was some funny shit but not something I could listen at all a lot of. Musically sounds pretty solid but I can’t take the guy singing seriously. 2.5 goin down.

Really nothing special - so why is it on this list

Disco extraño, un poco dinamitado por el artificio. Las dos primeras canciones suenan bien, pero la fórmula seductora se me cae muy rápido. En algunos momentos me quedé como el meme de Bob de Monsters vs. Aliens. Favs: Something for the Weekend (excepto los primeros 10 segundos, socorro), The Frog Princess (porque suena medio trip hop)

Incluso en sus momentos más tolerables, cuando no es un musical que estoy escuchando en contra de mi voluntad, no hay nada que sus colegas de la época no hayan hecho mejor. Charge seguramente se ha usado como instrumento de tortura en algún lugar del mundo. A la playlist: Becoming More Than Alfie.

Very much like the novelty songs you'd hear on Dr. Demento.

Really didn’t work for me. I can see this working for you but I’m gonna pass. You can just take it all, I don’t want it.

Aldrig gillat sån här klämkäck, bombastisk musikalsmörja. Usch.

Sort of prog-pop I guess? Over the top theatrics in a pop-orchestral package.

Sounded like it was written for indie-adjacent romantic dramas. Songs of Love could have been in a Wes Anderson piece. Didn't care for it though.

WTF did I just listen to?

Hva skal dette forestille? En musikal?

I recall in the 90s as a teenager being entirely unimpressed with The Divine Comedy. Something for the Weekend was vaguely pleasantly nostalgic but the whole album screams 'novelty'. I can't work out if this is intentional or not.

I didn't get the joke; 2 stars.

Not terrible. But I’d never listen again.

It was fine

Dumb. We do not need two Rivine Comedy albums on this list.

Much too theatrical sounding. More like a lounge singer on Broadway.

I can’t believe the number of albums like this on the list. Sounds like a bad knock off of David Bowie. Never need to hear this again.

2.5 - Meh

Ehhh, not really in my wheelhouse, but interesting.

A couple of good songs

Un peu rompiche

Aika väsynyttä vaikka välillä odotti että tulisko jitain kuunneltavaa

Tämä jäi kyllä pahasti piippuun. ⭐️⭐️

Ekojen biisien kohdalla odotin albumilta enemmän mutta fiilis vähän lässähti.

#705. I feel like I need more context, because it seems like this is an inside joke that I just don't get. Seems like a Scott Walker tribute band, but 30 years too late for anyone to give a shit. 2/5: entirely too British

In a couple of days I’ll forget I’ve ever listened to this album. The same thing happened with their other album I got a couple of moths ago

There were points when I liked this and points when I questioned it. It rode the roller coaster between 2* and 3* for me.

This one kinda reminds me of the Disney land haunted house voice but the lyrics are pretty interesting and creative. It surprisingly upbeat and the instrumentals are very unique and accurate for the music. I actually quite enjoy. I don’t really know what I can even compare it to! Trevor said it was like a really weird Disney song from Aladdin.

Nothing funny here - - tortuous. How producers agree to make some of these albums are beyond me... [639/1001 fr those keeping score]

im good

There's obvious Bowie inspiration, and a lot of elements that are very reminiscent of Rufus Wainwright, but overall I think it's a little incoherent and honestly just not my fave.

There was some good humour on the first half that wore down towards the end.

Something for the weekend- 3, feel violated Becoming more like Alfie- 4 I like trumpets Middle class heroes-3 In &Out of Paris & London- 1 i hate France Charge- 2 Songs of love- 2 I listened to the whole song and immediately forgot what happened The frog princess- 3 A woman of the world-2 Through a long and sleepless night- 3 Theme from Casanova-2 The dogs & the horses- 2 I do not have enough cigarettes in my system to rate this more than a 2

This was so unserious.

Creepy

it’s trying so hard :-(

Boring and overly theatrical, couldn’t wait for this to end

All song are the same. Norhing new or innovative here

#52 Casanova ~ The Divine Comedy Everything I said about A Short Album About Love can be applied to Hannon's earlier album, Casanova, except with far less consistency. He's still doing a cheesy schtick, and still someone getting popular with this album, and still I will tell you just to listen to A Short Album About Love or his later albums over this, unless you want more weird dog and horse metaphors. The highlight is the opening track, very beautiful that one. But again, just listen to A Short Album About Love and you get the idea pretty quickly.

From the Wiki: "Casanova is the fourth studio album by Northern Irish chamber pop band the Divine Comedy." There goes another example of England fucking up Northern Ireland with their occupation. 2/5

2 out of 5. I feel like this album tried to go somewhere but just missed the mark.

I’ve never heard of The Divine Comedy or this album before, and I have no idea what this is going to sound like. I’ll admit that the average score for this album doesn’t really bode well, but after close to 900 albums, I’ve yelled “what the hell were these people thinking?” enough times to know that I might find a diamond in the rough. I guess it’s time to spend some time with this Casanova, and find out what he’s all about. This album was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I thought the first few tracks were fine, but it was tough for me to get into this. The arrangements were nice but not unique, with the strings standing out more than the other elements, the lyrics were clever and funny, but the vocals were a tad bland for me. I thought the album picked up quite a bit in quality from “Songs of Love.” I really enjoyed the strings and Wurlitzer (or maybe it was the Hammond organ? I don’t know, there’s like a feature length film’s worth of credits listed on the personnel) together. This was the first point that the instrumentation sounded unique to me. I really enjoyed the strings and horns towards the end of “The Frog Princess” as well. The horns towards the end of “A Woman of the “World” were pretty good too, and punched up the sound nicely. “Through a Long & Sleepless Night” was my favorite song on the album. I really liked the horns and bass, and the strings were great as well. I thought the structure of the songs was really good too, and I liked how the song evolved, building to a great crescendo. Overall, I thought this album was clever and interesting at times, but at what point does something cross the line from being inspired by another artist to lifting their style and sound? To me, it really felt like this album fell into the latter category. The themes of sex in the lyrics and Neil Hannon’s vocals felt very derivative of Jarvis Cocker, and the music sounds quite a bit like Scott Walker, especially on “The Dogs and Horses.” To top it all off, this album was a bit boring in stretches, made worse by its long run time, and long songs. I think I can see what The Divine Comedy were going for, but it didn’t stick the landing with me.

Meh. The creepy crooner schtick is a bit ick.

Pretty funny. Does not take itself so seriously.

This was Brit Pop lounge singing. Not a fan. Unremarkable.

Bloody horns everywhere!!!!

brittibias jatkuu. täysin unohdettava levy. 2/5

#DÍA 16: 1001 Discos Que Hay Que Escuchar Antes De Morir (English Translation Below) Bueno este día tenía que llegar, primer álbum del desafío del que tengo poco bueno que decir. Parece que es una banda algo olvidada a día de hoy y no me extraña, no es que haya envejecido muy bien… Voy a ser directo y decir que el trabajo que hace como cantante y letrista Neil Hannon en este álbum es vergonzoso, parece un constante intento de ser Frank Sinatra para poder dar esa solemnidad y rollo dandy a sus temas que deja muchísimo que desear, o como si Muse hubiesen viajado a los 60s para hacer canciones que tratan la sexualidad de un modo tan profundo como sus mensajes políticos. El humor mujeriego no encaja para nada conmigo, mucho menos joyas como “everybody knows that ‘no’ means ‘yes” o esos pasajes hablados tan vergonzosos, como la intro del disco, que está a un paso de estar al nivel de Corey Feldman en cuanto a ridículo. El LP puede salvarse por algunas ideas instrumentales y rasgos de experimentación que al menos me hacen ver que ambición había, y mucha, aunque resultase en una catástrofe en mi opinión. Charge, pese a ser el culmen de lo patético de este álbum, tiene una estructura y progresión que muestra cierto trabajo. Por otro lado The Frog Princess tiene una de las instrumentales más extrañas, con elementos de Trip Hop, silbidos y electrónica, aunque el hecho de que la composición orquestal esté basada en el himno de Francia la hace sonar como una parodia. Los rasgos más teatrales de las canciones tienen potencial, pero no creo que Hannon sea un cantante cuya voz y expresividad sostenga lo barroco de sus piezas, mucho menos deseo volverlo a escuchar hablar con ese tono seductor que a poco ha estado de hacerme vomitar. Tolerables: Songs of Love, The Frog Princess Menos favorita: Charge #DAY 16: 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die Well, this day had to come—first album in the challenge that I have very little good to say about. It seems like this is a somewhat forgotten band nowadays, and I’m not surprised—it hasn’t aged well at all. I’ll be direct and say that Neil Hannon’s work as a singer and lyricist on this album is embarrassing. It feels like a constant attempt to be Frank Sinatra, trying to give his songs that sense of solemnity and dandy flair, but it falls far short. Or like if Muse had traveled to the 60s to write songs about sexuality with the same depth as their political messages. The womanizing humor doesn’t sit well with me at all—especially not with gems like “everybody knows that ‘no’ means ‘yes’” or those painfully awkward spoken passages, like the album’s intro, which is one step away from being Corey Feldman-level ridiculous. The LP can be salvaged by some instrumental ideas and experimental touches that at least show there was ambition—and a lot of it—even if, in my opinion, it ended in disaster. Charge, despite being the epitome of this album’s corniness, has a structure and progression that shows some real effort. On the other hand, The Frog Princess has one of the strangest instrumentals, with trip-hop elements, whistling, and electronics—though the fact that the orchestral composition is based on the French national anthem makes it sound like a parody. The more theatrical traits of the songs have potential, but I don’t think Hannon is a singer whose voice and expressiveness can support the baroque style of these pieces—let alone do I ever want to hear him speak in that seductive tone again, which nearly made me vomit. Tolerable: Songs of Love, The Frog Princess Least favorite: Charge

I feel like I could come with 10,001 more albums not already on the master list that I like more than this.

Afraid to say I wasn’t fully head over heels for this Casanova. Very meandering and repetitive which is rough for an almost hour long album. The goofy perverted lyrics were not that funny to me but I was charmed a bit with the attempt. Funny to see some reviews taking this album seriously

It did nothing for me personally. May as well have been white noise in its total inability to get my attention.

Initial impressions are that its pretty unremarkable. The souring strings, playful trumpeters and corny vocals sound cliche. I really dont like this guys vocals for the most part. Super melodramatic. I can get behind stuff thats melodramatic and corny but this album doesnt necessarily feel like it's paying homage not acting as a touchstone between music of past and future, instead it feels like its wearing its influences on its sleeves and not doing it particularly well. In and out of Paris and London sounds like some shit Bowie. I actually enjoyed Charge a little bit, it was kind of original, upbeat and fun until it does the R&B thing. What the fuck was that? I enjoyed songs of love, this is the kind of overproduced indie garbage I enjoy. This sing is my jam. A long and sleepless night is enjoyable, the build up is great, the chorus is messy and intense and the refrain is good. The dogs and the horses is great too but made me question whether this album is just super backloaded, the vocal performance on this track is reminiscent of musical theatre and is actually really good. 5/10

This was a strange one, sounded like Elvis mixed with this guy named Mattress lol not very good but dude was a great singer!

1. Songs Of Love 2. Becoming More Like Alfie 3. The Frog Princess

Edgy in a derivative way somehow

Banda irlandesa da década de 90. Lembra de fato um pouco de Pulp. Not my vibe. Não gostei de ouvir, irrelevante para mim...no final das contas, sei la que porra é essa!!! Dois está de bom tamanho...

♫ Listening to "Something for the Weekend" by The Divine Comedy (Casanova, 1996) ♫

In general I’m not against theatrical pop, but most of this album was just icky. Theme from Casanova was mildly pleasant though.

So not my thing. The dude looks like thom yorke. Too bad he isn't tho

Very boring

I rejected The Divine Comedy as a novelty act, a bit of tongue-in-cheek, loungecore cheese, thanks to this album. A great friend of mine who is a huge DC fan later introduced me to the track Our Mutual Friend on a later album (Absent Friends). It absolutely blew me away and I now have huge respect for the band. Doesn’t change the fact that I can’t stand this album though.

Yeah idk what this was. One comment called it discount Bowie, that seems appropriate.

i just dont like this kind of music 2

Didn't we have this album already? When I'm listening, I just keep thinking about the movie Anchorman. Is this serious or is he playing the folks listening? This is something I just didn't really enjoy and can't see myself revisiting. I guess the best thing I can say, he sings pretty well. This just wasn't for me, but not outright terrible. 2

2 Oh God, not this dude again. Much earlier on this list, my first impression of this guy was that he’s an overdramatic Sinatra wannabe, and now, 500 albums later, my opinion hasn’t changed at all - this album just feels pompous, pretentious, and theatrical to a point of being borderline insufferable. You can tell there’s some Morrissey and Prince influence buried in here with the sort of delivery and mysterious romantic frontman persona Neil Hannon attempts to give off, but he has none of the charm or personality in comparison - or the lyrical ability. I mentioned this in my last review as well, but holy cow, some of these lyrics are AWFUL. Fortunately, I didn’t clock anything this time around as bad as "If you were a horse/I'd clean the crap out of your stable/And never once complain", but there is a weird recurring horse motif to be found here as well, both with the final track title and the lyric, “You deserve to be horse-whipped/But I've no horse, that joke's so shit” on Through a Long & Sleepless Night. Seriously dude, wtf’s with the horse thing? And that’s not even the worst line on that song - shortly before that, he charms you with, “It's four o'clock and all's not well/In my private circle of hell/I contemplate my navel hair/And slowly slide into despair”. Just… gross. That all said, I’m actually rating this one just a touch higher than A Short Album About Love. It’s been a while, but I seem to remember that one being pretty boring musically. I can’t say that I loved the music or squeaky clean production on this album either, but it at least feels like it’s trying to be interesting at times - with a different lead singer and lyricist, perhaps I’d like this a little bit more. As is, I don’t see myself coming back… to this or probably anything else The Divine Comedy might have.

This gets an extra star for its connection to Father Ted

Very cheeky, groovy, the kind of album you play while drinking a dirty martini Some of the songs are beautiful breezy pop influenced by 60s baroque pop The rest of the music is stereotypically too british, just something I wouldn't understand as I'm not a fan of crooning and don't really like the theatrics 2.5/5

Alright, only went through like once and a half. None of the songs jumped out at me, but could be good background music?

Better than the other but not by much. 2.5

More spoken word. Weird lyrics

Some of the picks on this list are so weird...

reminds me of joseph and his amazing technicolour dreamcoat type music. solid album, not too keen on lyricism, probably won’t listen again.

Never heard of this band before. I tried placing myself back in 1996 (was 13) and this definitely wouldn't have been on rotation. Listening to it, reminded me of a community television production. You could tell the band is / was tight but the sound and production didn't do them justice. Anyway - not something I'm likely to every play again. No highlights.

Come on list...I'm in the home stretch here. Can't we finish out strong? Yes, this seems very British and very witty for being very British, but as a dumb American, I can't help but roll my eyes at the delivery here.

I’m equally as confident in noting the charms and virtues of this record as I am in saying I’ll never listen to it again.

Unnecessarily overdramatic

this was British as hell. I saw him open for Ben folds and forgot all about him. I bought one of his albums at half priced books for $2. And forgot all about it. It was too long. It sounded like showtunes and a movie score the whole way. And the R trill on “Charge” took it down a whole point.

Simultaneously weird and boring.

Какая-то пафосная попса или поп-рок.

This guy again?! I listened to his other album about two months ago and didn't like that one either. I don't understand how two(!) of his albums made the list. At least I can rest assured knowing that there are no more inclusions of this artist's albums in the list.

This reminds me of something that William Shatner would produce. Lounge/club/showtune vibes, but with a lot of cheesiness. Can't say I really enjoy this one given how closely it resembles a musical. This Casanova did not sway me.

Not for me.

This album cover pisses me off Not much else to say it’s just alright

It wasn't entirely useless because I was laughing at how bad it was

Songs Of Love is great, the rest is not so great, despite the sense of Britpop nostalgia it brings with it. Hannon is a much smarter songwriter than you might give him credit for, unfortunately, The Divine Comedy's music has never been as smart or as witty as it thinks it is. Casanova is never truly awful, but it is something of a period piece, and one which was kind of parodying another period first time around at that. Anyway, two stars for an album with one five-star track.

oh, insufferable

If I had a nickel for every album in this project where I thought "this could be really nice but the sweeping orchestral arrangements really overshadow this guy's not so dynamic singing voice" I think I'd have at least three nickels?

Seems to be forcing it a bit but...

Just felt far too over the top and full of its self and just didn’t sound good, some was at least slightly decent so not 1 star but can only make it to 2

Pass the cheese please.

Utterly cringe-inducing. I can’t believe this clown gets two whole albums on the list when more significant artists are left off.

Pure comedy gold. It’s supposed to be taken seriously unfortunately. It’s a really well performed pile of crap.

Too kitschy for me

The album is smug, pretentious and overblown.

Something For The Weekend was a pleasant reminder of a song I'd completely forgotten about, but by about track 4 I'd started to find this kinda annoying. I'm just not a fan of the over theatrical, musical-ish style. Also, the Britishness of it gets a bit much (references to GCSEs, the NHS etc), and I'm British!

Not my thing, too unexciting, not boring just plain.

This one wasn't very pleasant. I didn't care for the singer's voice at all, and the instrumentation and melodies felt disjointed the majority of the time. There were a few glimmers of interest, but overall I didn't enjoy this very much.

I do like Divine Comedy - I like his voice and lyrical flair - and really like some of their other songs (Gin Soaked Boy is in my top 100 songs) - however i found this album a bit too OTT / show tuney at times and a bit annoying (I am trying to work) so did not really enjoy as much as I thought I would. Some nice moments and hooks but not something I will come back to.

The Divine Comedy is the stage name of Neil Hannon, an Irish singer/songwriter that makes a theatrical version of pop, in the same vein as Scott Walker. Hannon's work sounds like musical theater, with extensive orchestrations and histrionic, first-person narratives. The album includes "Songs of Love," which was the theme song for a British television show, which helped push the commercial success of the album.

Probably my first orchestral pop album 😂 Certainly not my preferred genre, but there were glimpses that were cool - the frog princess for example 2 stars. Obviously creative, but a bit over the top for me in non theatrical contexts

One or 2 good songs but overall not a great album

Light rock lounge musical

I like some of the odd stuff, but this just isn’t good. It’s like he was going for Bowie but failed miserably.

"no no no no NO. youe doing it all wrong!!!" -she walked down the stairs from the balcony. her voice had more punch than anything in this album

Mid as it gets. Some high spots, but just not worth another listen.

As pedantic as a blue polka-dot bow tie at a funeral. Spoken verse poetry that someone said “I could make this even worse with some boring music”

Only know if the divine comedy for , the national express" although I did find I recognised "something for the weekend" here. Also the father ted theme tune! Can't say the rest of it did much for me. A bit strange, kinda half meant to be funny or a bit silly..... Guess that's tracks with the national express song. Think around 2.5

Sounds like the songs from an off broadway show. Not really for me. 2/5 Won’t listen again

Bleh

This feels like the type of music that falls into this category: Q: How do you know someone is a fan of The Devine Comedy? A: they tell you. Over and over and over again as they insist on how great it is. Listen, this is bad. It is clever. It is beautifully arranged and produced. But after a few songs, the joke gets old and repetitive. Fans of this think that SNL had one good season - the first. Liked SCTV more and if you ask about their favorite Monty Python sketch, they say something obscure and look down with disdain at the popular ones.

Het was een hele musical met ongelofelijke kutnummers en heel geinige nummers, geen idee wat ik moet geven

o cara queria ser o pulp tadinho... bem sem sal. xoxo demais.

Ummm. C'mon. This was unpleasant. Dull, irritating at times...many times.

Odd lounge music with slight crooning and peppered with 1970s modern influence and less edge than a dusty bag of dull spoons.