A Short Album About Love

Decent enough 3/5

Just be a normal person and listen to broadway, Scott Walker, Morrissey — or anything else.

The music far outweighs the singing and lyrics. It’s a shame everything couldn’t mesh. This could have been a top album for me. The Divine Comedy have done enough that I’m well aware of who they are. I know no song names and no band member names. I just know of them. I know I’m sounding like a broken record here but damn it’s a shame that the vocals are so weak. It’s like when Mike Patton records a cheesy b side. Yet his voice still sounds better than this. I’m torn. On the other hand this will be the 3rd album in a row where it should have been given a lower rating but I’m somewhat captivated by it which keeps me listening. Even if my ears were bleeding, I’d stay plugged in. This is like a less exciting Frank Sinatra singing over top of Radiohead unfinished songs in the Pablo Honey era. There, I said it.

Reviewing this so soon after 69 Love Songs is revealing. Stephen Merritt proves that brevity is the soul of wit; his observations land because he sticks and moves. Neil Hannon, on the other hand, lingers and languishes; he feels like he's wallowing in it, which makes his lyrics feel a bit banal rather than incisive. More than that, though, Merritt feels like he's in on the joke of being a lovesick worm; Hannon feels like he thinks he's in on the joke but actually isn't. Insert Vonnegut's observation about how we are what we pretend to be, so we must be very careful what we pretend to be.

Tried this one a few weeks ago and went back in today with the hopes that I could care this time. Sadly, the result is the same. This album, while admittedly not bad, was unable to do much for me. Some of the writing is quite witty (e.g., If...), but something about orchestral pop rarely clicks for me. I feel its the same reason that Father John Misty only occasionally works for me. In any event, not bad, but not my cup of tea. I'll go with a soft 3.

Very operatic. Certainly is short. Not much else to say really.

Album name very literal to the album. Was much more powerful singing than I expected. A few of those songs were really quite good. The middle 2-3 were quite meh. Enjoyable little 30 minuter. High 3

I remember randomly liking the quirkiness of the last Divine Comedy album we got. First song is giving the same vibes and production sounds great. It's like super upbeat lounge music. Not getting as into it as I remember the last album we had, just gets a bit too theatrical at points. "If you were a horse I'd clean the crap out of your stable" is an objectively hilarious lyric. Not as good as the last one I remember, but still pretty unique in a weird way.

Not for me

Kind of a Neil Diamond-y sound? Slow but powerful vocals over ballad-like instrumentation. Some of the lyrics kind of cheesy. Overall, not awful; but not great. Rated 2 but maybe more a 2.5.

It was funny and touching lyric by places and I liked it!

wannabe sinatra

I liked it but did I need to listen to it before I died?

Esta bien

Big band emo

Ugh, everything seemed off

alright, not bad

This is my second Divine Comedy album. Just like the first, this album seems convinced it is doing something great and important. All I hear is boring vocals over repetitive instrumentals.

If Meat Loaf were still alive, I would tell him that I have a better lyric for one of his songs: "- On a hot summer night... Would you be cleaning the shit outta my stable? - Yes... - I bet you say that to all the horses..."

Instrumentally I thought it had a nice sound, and overall was just mellow and inoffensive. Lyrics were a bit cringe

This album triggered a lot of introspection from me, specifically about whether it is fair to criticize art at all and whether a lack of seriousness is a fair factor in that criticism. This wasn’t for me. But it’s clear that a lot of craft and devotion was applied to create it too, which alone makes it exceptional. The introspection for me was why I can enjoy a comparable like Morissey but shrugged this away … and it kept coming back to the intentional lightness and humor (or humour, I guess) of this music, which served as a negative for me. But that’s unfair too, I realize. I think Neil Hammon will be fine without my support, either way.

Discount Nick Cave Discount Scott Walker

I enjoyed the music, had an old school vibe.

A good find. I like some of the melodies, interesting voice.

It is short. It is about love. What it isn't is the usual Divine Comedy. Stick to clever lyrics. Like a politician who joins in a game of football in election week. Stop it, stick to your lane.

6/10

Hokey, corny, cheesy, late 90’s tropey, but I kind of enjoyed it in a strange way.

I found that listening to this while taking a hot shower was the ideal way to experience this. Stepped out onto the bath mat just as the organs hit in the final song. This one takes itself a little more seriously than Casanova while still maintaining some of the humorous lyrics on songs like If… The arrangements are really good and I can tell that he had fun making this. Favorite songs were Everybody Knows, If I Were You, and I’m All You Need.

This shit isn't as bad as the first album I had to listen to of there. But it still sucks. At least I am learning now, after trying to pay attention - that this is not serious. It's satire. At least the lyrics certainly point that way. Anyway, it's not good, Its not funny either. I can't assume the targeted audience for this band are folks I want to ever be around. Absolutely lame.

I knew absolutely nothing about this prior to listening. It's good. Really good in places. A mix of studio and live tracks. The production is decent and I was reminded of early Bowie quite often.

weird first start. the perspective of the guy is giving obsessed weirdo worst song: if best song: I’m all you need

A very theatrical album musically, very orchestral, with string arrangements, piano, and nice touches that make it feel cinematic. I appreciate the suspense, climax, and dynamics created through these arrangements. The songs balance humour and melancholy which present romance in unexpected ways. The album captures and conveys bittersweet, melancholic irony, almost like he's laughing through sadness, signing upbeat cheerful sounding songs paired against sad lyrics, which adds a level of contrast. It’s quite short around 30 minutes, which makes it easy to listen to without getting bored. The album cover evokes melancholy, longing, and emptiness, reflecting the sadder side of the songs. I can appreciate an album like this but it’s not entirely my cup of tea. My favourite track is Someone

This album surprised me, I really enjoyed it

I have no idea what that was but it sure was good.

Good album but not one of the greatest ever, though it’s hard to fathom 1,001 albums… maybe it’s good enough to creep into a list that large. Rating is grading on a curve.

I hated this. Overwrought Morrissey-on-Broadway vibes. It's just not for me.

Wow, the reviews for this are so harsh and seem to focus on a couple of lyrics as being weird for an album of live songs. Maybe it’s a culture thing, with Americans not quite getting the very British sense of humour here - in the UK, the Divine Conedy are probably best known for the theme music to Father Ted and a song about the general cranes of travelling by coach. Anyway, this album is really good, gentle, thoughtful pop, and deserves your time.

This is lovely. I especially like the instrumentation.

Everybody Knows has been burned in my brain for decades. I like it. Much preferred the other Divine Comedy one we had

Not really getting the hate for this. Nice luxe indie-pop with all the extra orchestral instruments you could want. Cohesive set of tunes, lasted half an hour. Smashing

Rage bait comedy album? "If you were a horse, I would clean the crap out of your stable"......whaaaaaaaaaat? "If you were a dog I'd feed you scraps from off the table Though my wife complains If you were my dog I am sure you'd like it better Then you'd be my loyal four legged friend You'd never have to think again And we could be together till the end" Ok, bro......you do you I guess. I hope I never hear this stinking album again.

im not sure i get it.

More than the sum of the songs. A good listen.

Best Song: Everyone Knows (Except You) Well, this sucked. I wish I could give some sort of positive spin to something here but really I don't have much. I guess I can say this isn't for me. I just don't know who this is for, it would be no one I have ever met. This is kind of like if aliens had a full catalogue of human music and they tried to make music similar and this is it. 1/5 because 0 isn't an option.

The reviews of this album are infinitely more entertaining than the album. I love how everyone has taken it so seriously and become infuriated by one particular line. The album is twee, orchestral and pretentious. It’s the intersection of Scott Walker and Noël Coward. It’s absolutely preposterous. All the tracks pretty much follow the same pattern, and it gets terribly wearing after about 10 minutes. However, think there is something weirdly compelling about the album. This album is the aural equivalent of watching a car crash - you know you don’t want to, but you can’t tear yourself away. When it’s done, and this album is over quick, you never want to hear it again, but it sticks with you longer than it should.

I liked it

Pretty good, I listened to it a few times. Reminds me of Tom Waits, a bit.

I have never in my life heard of this guy, but he scratches a Morrisey itch and, as far as I know, is much less insufferable.

First listen. It seems like this fellow is in love with someone. I don't know, it's hard to tell. There's a fine line between sweet and saccharine, and this album crosses that line with such gusto that the taste of it turns to pure bitterness in my mouth. The lyrics here are, uh... bad. Really bad. They're an uncomfortable mix of sappy, trite, meandering, and, at times, far too insistent. The text is replete with endless rephrasings of 'I love you,' each as banal as the last, and metaphors that are either so thin that they end up saying nothing at all, or so contrived that they turn into pure nonsense instead. I strongly suspect that a lot of this is meant to be silly on purpose, of course, and very tongue-in-cheek, but alas, the 'humor' doesn't quite land with me. Musically, it's competent enough, but lacks a strong identity. Most of it sounds rather derivative and bland, and though it has its compositional bright spots, they are sadly far too scarce to raise the thing out of mediocrity. The opening track is perhaps the sole exception; it has a decent melody, a punchy enough chorus, and perhaps most importantly, it's bombastic enough to distract the listener from how vacuous the text is. To give this record one more compliment, I do like the arrangements quite a bit, and the album does sound good as far as the instrumentals and the overall production is concerned. That might very well be a case of damning with faint praise, however, as it's still not nearly good enough to salvage songwriting (and singing) of this quality. A Short Album About Love is easily the worst album I've heard on here so far, and the only one that I can confidently say that I outright dislike. Still, I HAVE heard music that is quite a bit worse, so I suppose I should exercise some caution and leave a bit of room at the bottom until I've figured this whole thing out. Fav. Track: In Pursuit of Happiness Reaction: 😕

People actually listen to and enjoy this bullshit? Yuck.

Pretty interesting, like edgy crooning

ts is so majestic holy i like everyone knows

A slower traditional pop album. Lots of strings. Not my genre, kind of boring. Nicely written love songs though. 6/10

A genuinely enjoyable listen

Highlight Song/s: Someone This sounds like music from a soundtrack of a movie that features a man staring out at sea at night-time with some light left from a moon that is particularly bright, and which he has very, VERY strong longing feelings that he needs to convey via singing.

If into if I were you is great. Whole album was much better than I thought I’d think of it

Meh

Interesting. Seems like Nick Lowe.

Kinda get Geordie Green vibes, wonder if he's a fan. "Someone" and "If..." are a bit of standouts. Not much else I'm likely to return to. Kinda like the melody to the closer; the interplay between the organ stabs and the guitar.

No. No, this doesn't need to be on the list.

While listening to the first song I was like, "what the hell is this?" Was not into it at all. But boy did that turn around quickly. Starting with "Everybody Knows (Except You)," I was hooked. Both "If..." songs are brilliant and honestly after the first track it's pretty much straight bangers for the rest of the album. I loved the 60s pop nods and the cheeky lyrics. Baroque pop is really an underrated genre. This was an unexpected gem for me. Totally obsessed after listening to it. Someone in another review said this reminds them of Scott Walker, and that makes sense both for the sound of the album and why I love it.

NEIGH.

Better than the other album, but still terrible.

J'aime trop ces relents theatraux moi (the Divine Comedy en meme temps) Y'a un cote épique, romanesque qui est souligné par la voix "Morrisonienne" du chanteur

J’ai eu l’impression de regarder un film en écoutant cet album

Hmmm what will this be???? It's interesting, kinda like a musical Sorry won't be making it through this one. 2 Stars. Okay I kind of like Someone! Has a Frank Sinatra or one of those other big band singers. Okay I actually stuck around til the end and it honestly wasn't that bad. There were some pretty songs. I'll give it 3 stars.

Best: If... Worst: Everybody knows Liked songs: 7/7, 100% Light 4 If Engelbert Humperdink had access to more modern music tools and was obsessed with horses for some reason and im here for it. Obviously not the most revolutionary album in terms of lyrics, but they're fun and I think the arrangements are overall really good. Fun album, though I can see how its polarizing.

not my cup of tea

Zmer se veselim poslušanja, ko vidim, da je nekaj, kar ne poznam. In naslov ne laže, 31 minut je vse skp. Začnemo z "In Pursuit of Happiness" (ugh, aren't we all?). Ok, začne se na en način (počasno, trobentasto, nizko, resno), razvije pa v čist neki drucga (hitro, urgentno, divje). And I love it. Besedilo je kul. Nasledn komad ("Everybody Knows (Except You)") je pač, totaln opis mene pri 20ih alpa nekoga recimo, ki je hopelessly zatrapan v nekoga in to že vsi vejo, razen THE person. "Someone" je baladast in v bistvu prou hud komad. Tip ma fine vokale, vsa besedila do zdaj po mojem mnenju totalno zadanejo različna obdobja zaljubljenosti in ljubezni. Že vidim, da bo to album, k ga bom še poslušala. "If..." je silly, kinda hilarious. Še kako se konča v crescendu je smešn. Self deprecation je zmer zabavn ("If I Were You (I'd Be Through with Me)"). "Timewatching" je mal žalostna balada. Ampak čudovita. In zadnji, "I'm All You Need" ma dost kratko besedilo, spet začinjeno s humorjem. (Včasih se zj lotim pogledat kako so drugi ljudje reviewali album, ki ga poslušam in je zanimiv vidit, kako se v kakšnih mišljenjih ujamemo in kako se drugje popolnoma razlikujemo. Tu se predvsem strinjam s primerjavami s Scott Walkerjem (sploh barva glasu) in celo Father John Misty vajbom (kinda; hudi komadi tinged z abstraktnim humorjem in mal self deprekacije), mi je blo pa zanimiv vidit, kok folka ni razumel albuma in ga slabo ocenili. Oh, well. Je pa nekdo napisal podobno k js, da album pokrije različne stopnje zaljubljenosti in ljubezni, vključno s toksičnimi aspekti in heartbreakom. Yes! In, đizs krajst folk, kdo prav, da morjo bit besedila zmer resna/smiselna?!)

Some catching parts, but not for me.

ok

Two albums by this guy, seriously?? At least it actually was short.

I gotta say, I really disliked the other Divine Comedy album I had earlier on in the project, "Casanova." I thought it was strange, somewhat tone deaf, and overall just a weird flop of an album that combined a lot of ideas and one persona into an album and just was off-putting. This was very different. This was their follow up album to "Casanova," and the energy and feel is still light and fun, but feels tighter and more directed. Maybe I've heard more music of a similar ilk since and am more willing to buy into the concept and just go with it. Maybe I was in a bad mood the day I heard "Casanova." I don't know. But this was a great listen. Neil Hannon's voice is captivating. It walks the line of corny character actor and geuine performance at the same time and does so brilliantly. "Everybody Knows (except you)" is insanely catchy and I could still sing it days later after only listening once. The string and horn arrangements are wonderful, and really had a fullness to the sound that ties the album together. I loved the guitar work too. I dunno what it is about the sound, but I adore it on this album in a way I didn't on "Casanova." I really wanted to give it five stars. But I can't. It does meander a little bit for me ("Timewatching," for one) and it does feel a littttttle corny in places. I think that's a symptom of the era, the influences, and the genre. But still, it's there. Overall, a very surprising four stars. I'd love another album just like this. Standout Tracks: In Pursuit of Happiness, Everybody Knows (except you), I'm All You Need

I was living out of hotels with my sister. In one of them the Wu-Tang Clan was performing in the basement. The Rza ended up staying at my house and convinced me to watch his newborn baby and insited I wear a tie. I used to wear them all the time but couldn't tie any of them and quit.

It’s tough to understand why this artist appears twice on the list. There’s nothing here that’s memorable.

First off, I appreciate this album stayed true to its stated goal of being “a short album.” And yes, it was also about love. But it got points for being short. The entire album reminds me of the Faith No More version of “This Guy’s In Love With You,” which was kind of cool as a one off. But as a whole album, it got a bit much.

This was the guy that wrote the songs for the Wonka film. A set of lush produced love songs, with quirky lyrics.

This record sounds like a clear combination of musical perfection and miserable sound. So, on average, it gives us...

Well. By Jason's metric, I suppose I needed to hear this. It was certainly entertaining, in a B-movie sort of way. I dig heavily orchestrated stuff, so I found the music to be pretty cool at times. So the real issue here is this damn singer. I don't think I have ever heard such a dichotomy between the content of the lyrics ("If you were a horse, I'd clean the crap out of your stable nd never once complain") and the way in which the lyrics were sung. Hello, Johnny Mathis. Y'know . . . I'm gonna round up just for the chutzpah of the whole endeavor.

I'm gonna real time comment on this one. Song 1: Fuuuuck, not another baroque pop turd in the music punchbowl. Song 2: Everybody knows that I want to smash my phone. The brief episode of guitar sucks. The vocals suck worse. Song 3: My dad would LOVE this. Song 4: A bright spot! I think he really wants the object of this song to be a horse. I can almost overlook the horrible oboe. But then he starts imagining the object is his daughter/sister/dog and it starts getting fucking weird. I like it. Song 5: Premise is promising, song doesn't live up to its promise. Song 6: No. Song 7: All I need is to never, ever, ever hear this again. So, in sum, one song is just weird enough to be interesting, and the rest are garbage. I'm sure this music appeals to some people (fans of that Wainwright guy?), but I just don't appreciate anything about it.

I rounded up to two stars due to the wit, but I really didn’t like his voice or the production. There’s an element of theater or melodrama that I like in the Magnetic Fields, but I would rather hear about electric eels under the covers rather than riding your lover like a horse at dawn.

2/5 - There were moments when I got hints of The Decemberists or The Magnetic Fields, who I like, but the orchestral arrangements and excessive crooning here are just too much. The horse and sheep comparisons in the lyrics were also pretty odd. I didn't entirely hate this, but I didn't need to hear it, and I won't be back.

i'm sure it's fine but i must be aromantic because what the heck are some of these lyrics lmao

I had to turn this album off after what he said about his sister... also it was not very good up until that point anyway.

Good album

The album started off strong. It has a strong theatrical feel to it. The album losses it's way after the strong start with the bizarre lyrics of If.... I think the less said about if... the better. The album also feels overly dramatic.

Britanski mediji su devedesetih obožavali ovakve stvari, meni je ovo dosadnjikavo

Despite the fact that, if I could sing, play and write songs I'd want to be in a band more like Siouxsie and the Banshees, I was pre-disposed to like this, because The Divine Comedy are the lovely bunch of Northern Irishmen who gave us the splendid National Express (which, I note, features on the album that followed this one). And, by halfway through track three (Someone), I'd given myself over to the lush arrangements, even enjoying the fact that Neil seems at times to be channelling Tony Christie or Herb Alpert. What's not to like about an album about love, filled with wistfulness and melancholy combined with daft lyrics. I'm not sure when I'd put this on, but hurrah that, in the UK, we can deliver poignancy with a sense of silliness. *PS as to why he writes like this, I've just read that it's partly to "escape" memories of a childhood spent in Northern Ireland during the troubles. So, he's definitely entitled to be daft if he wants. PPS Someone. What a great track.

One od the strangest and least appealing albums I've listened to. Horrid vocals, shoddy production, and some truly baffling arrangement/lyric choices for a "love" album. Only redeeming quality is the shorter runtime. Wholly terrible

this one is a decent 3.5

Would you like some cheese on your cheese?

When you buy Scott Walker on Temu.

Micro-waved Scott Walker. Enjoyable and good stuff, but I can't feel the appeal to get back to it!

If I already wasn’t into this, “If” put the nail in the coffin for sure. 1/5

3.75 rounded up to a 4 Surprised at how much I enjoyed this, since the last Divine Comedy album on this list I could take our leave. I think this helped being a little more fully realized, the orchestrations were lusher, his voice was better, and also, maybe most importantly, the album was a lot shorter!!! But also, let’s be real, no need for two Divine Comedy albums on this list ever. Just make it this one, the better one, and take that other one out!

Great musicianship, but not for me

Nicest thing I can say about this album is that it's not very long

Very beautiful and easy listening. Seems like an album that's great to drink.

good

This certainly is a short album, and I certainly is about love. What they didn’t tell in the title, however, is that it sounds very outdated and cringe (especially the lyrics).

Overwrought musically and lyrically. Some of these lyrics are just insane (horses and burgers????)….not something I would ever listen to again. Some of the orchestral arrangements (e.g. Someone) are interesting enough to save this from being a 1.

Reminds me of Jens Lekman and also Alan Partridge. I mostly know this guy as the writer of 'My Lovely Horse' so it was nice to hear him return to the equine motif. I like that he's the dude who writes horse songs. Someone’s gotta do it. It’s the sort of album I'd grab a song from if I was making a mix CD for my wife and needed some levity amidst the more severe stuff. It’s cute in its absurdity, love songs that would only be sung as a little inside joke.

I was really trying to find a possibility in which I didn't absolutely love this, but it just doesn't exist. Winking, cheeky, outsider, but with that chamber pop sound I love. Some songs reminded me of Monkees outtakes, which are some of my favorite tunes. Yeah, idk, this was kinda made for me!

I was shocked to see that this album was recorded in the late 90's. It sounded like show tunes from the 60's/70's. I think that a generous portion of wine might have made this cheese more enjoyable. This was an album Greg Brady would have wanted to record.

A well produced album with some interesting instrumental aspects. The first songs were too much for me but after If.. I quite enjoyed the journey. His newest release describe the use of his music well: its music for a boring Sunday afternoon.

Not an unpleasant listen, but wtf. Man falls in love with horse?

That version of Fever was anemic lol

When I saw it's a chamber pop album I thought I would like it but I was wrong. It's overblown and doesn't sound like a genuine album, just a collection of corny theatrical songs. At least it's short.

Nice enough, another genre-less album - excellent vocals and orchestral backing.

Pick your favourite vomit onomatopoeia, it's so cheesy you're gonna throw up

Quite daint

Great

This is a grower. A couple of listens in and I got it. Would like to listen to more of them

Solid songs, but rather strange?

Beautiful

This was a little unusual, but I sorta enjoyed it. Big production. It was almost had a Father John Misty vibe to it. I wonder if Divine Comedy had any influence on FJM?

Pass, next, no thanks

eh

Yeahhhh… its definitely an album about love. Not sure

The orchestration and vocals were really good on this album.

6/10 - some great funny lyrics on this, with "if..." With his lover as a horse he would be happy to clean the crap out of the stable, gave me and the wife a chuckle

It's either an ode to the love songs of the 50s and 60s, or a parody of them. Either way, it's ok. Not mind blowing, but it has some nice instrumentation and orchestration.

The instrumental itself is probably a 4 but the lyrics knock it down hard. Everyone is talking about how weird they are, but I'm surprised I didn't see anyone else talk about how creepy the lyrics are. There is not once where he actually talks about this girl or what she wants, well, with the exception of when he says she doesn't want him and when he says she would be happier as his dog. I would feel sick to my stomach if someone wrote this album for me. I'm not even someone who particularly pays attention to lyrics, but these genuinely ruin my enjoyment of the entire album. I just kept thinking, "That poor girl." repeatedly.

What a beautiful voice!

I really dig this one. Great instrumentation, catchy songs, cute and funny lyrics but not cringe-inducing. Good stuff.

Rating: 1.5 Cornier than the Iowa-Nebraska border.

If I could vote negative stars, this one would get a few. This is the worst piece of crap I have hear, how do these people get record deals?

Irish Neil Diamond? I mean, Neil Hannon. This album is all about grand gestures - orchestral swells, lush arrangements, and a voice that could sell out a Vegas residency if it wanted to. It really does have that Neil Diamond energy - but dressed in Irish charm and a bit more irony. I admire it, even if it’s not quite my cup of tea.

Love finding artists I'm not familiar with who fit a style I generally love.

I was surprised this came out in 1997, while listening I assumed it had been made at least 10 years later. Similar in tone to 69 Love Songs by the Magnetic Fields, which is not a bad thing. I did like it… but it did start to wear me down after a while.

Sad man sings about love as if in a Hallmark show.

The songs were unremarkable, they were good for generic love songs but I didnt see what stood then apart from everything else

God this isn’t devoid of value but why the hell is this on the list. So bad. Alright I wrote this a little preemptive. The last song rips.

Was good. Nothing crazy to me.

Fav: I’m All You Need Least Fav: Timewatching Might be my favourite new discovery so far. All the songs are bangers and the lyrics are hilarious. I see a lot of people complaining about the dreadful lyrics but they fail to see it’s clearly comedic. Moral of the story is that The Divine Comedy is hugely underrated by the users on this website

Really enjoyed a few tracks. Bit corny all in

guessing this guy's dad wrote this book or something

decent enjoyed this

kinda weird but not unlistenable

It's aight. Not really my thing. I bet I would love it if I listened a whole lot more.

До крипового смазливые, сальные песни про Любовь. Ну, если Любовь, то только такая. Лучшая песня - Everybody Knows (Except You).

Chamber pot music is not my jam. The best thing I can say about this album is that it is, indeed, mercifully short.

Painful. Confusing.

Couple of funny songs here and there (If) but didn't hook me

This one is a true "going in blind" album. No idea who these guys are. Never heard of this album. I am absolutely blown away. Could be that this was my first listen not at my home, or that I'm freshly married, but front to back this is such an impressionable and moving album. Dare I say my first 5 stars and not at all the emotions I expected while sitting in an airport. I also like when the theme of an album is clear and throughout (a la Dark Side of the Moon), and this one stays its course throughout. Will need to give it a second listen but for sure my fave from the project this far (not that many albums in to be fair).

funny at best. more just a waste for this list

I’ll always have a soft spot for Neil Hannon purely because he wrote the Father Ted theme. This album didn’t really grab me but it was enjoyable enough. Favourite song: If I Were You (I’d Be Through With Me)

I can’t be arsed writing a proper review for this album

Not good

meh.

A very unique version of a love ballad album. 7/10

Short, good vibes, well made. Not exceptional but by no means bad.

# Album Name: A short album about love # Artist: The divine comedy # Rating: 2/5 # Comments: God damn. This felt like forever considering it is actually a short album. I cant believe shit like this makes it to the list. Im on a bad run. # Top Tunes: # Would I listen to it again? No

A pleasant enough listen on the surface but some weird weird lyrics. A decent album but definitely has one or two off-putting moments that slightly lower the score.

a lovely and relaxing album

Perfectly encapsulates how it feels to be stuck in a one sided situationship with an emotionally unavailable person (every waking hour of my life)

Miðað við nafnið á hljómsveitinni á þetta að vera grín eða það vona ég því textinn við lögin hljómar þannig. Það er bara verst hvað það er ekki fyndið að semja ástarlag og segja ef þú værir hundur myndi ég gefa þér afganga af matarborðinu þótt konan mín væri á móti því. Annars eru lögin næstum því góð ef þau væru ekki öll eins

Neil Hannon is a genius. This is one of my favourite albums of all time. Unfortunately a lot of people on here are too stupid to appreciate it, but I don’t care. More concert tickets for me.

This feels like an album out of it's time. It has an older vibe even though it was released in 1997. You can tell that they had fun making it, at 30 mins or so it is indeed a short album. I'm going to give it another listen because I'm still not sure what to make of it

An album of songs that all belong in the last scene of a Zach Braff indie movie

Wannabe Burt Bacharach with saccharine arrangements. Why try to be a pale imitation of freaking Burt Bacharach? This was so dull I let my daughter change the music to Kpop Demon Hunters.

At least this lived up to billing and was actually short. Still prefer Scott Walker, though.

Never got this lot. Nope. Music for MELT centrists.

🗯 It’s exactly what the title suggests — lush, witty, and romantic, but maybe a little too polite for me to return to. The production is mint: strings sweep, arrangements sparkle, and Neil Hannon’s croon has a theatrical charm that carries the whole record. It’s clever and beautifully made, but on my listen nothing really hooked deep enough to demand a return visit. Not bad, not unlistenable — just a pleasant listen that passes without leaving much of a dent. Verdict: Fine but not essential For fans of: Pulp, Scott Walker, chamber pop with a wink and a tuxedo

2.4 rounded down.

Kivoja melodioita, joskin välillä biiseissä oli hyvin outoja ja irrallisia kohtia kuten "If" loppu. Myös sanoituksissa toistuvat eläinviittaukset vähän omituisia kuten "If you were a horse I'd clean the crap out of your stable". Mutta ihan hyvä kuunneltava ja sopivan pituinen albumi.

This was so much better than I expected. Operatic witty and emotional

This was good I really enjoyed the album

Different - and enjoyed it

I never heard about this album before. Overall content was okay but I wasn’t totally on board with some of the songs

"If you were a horse, I'd clean the crap from your stable" That line woke me up and realized I wasn't listening to the music anymore and was dissociating. Is this meant to be romantic?

I live Divine Comedy a lot, and especially the big hits. They unabashedly awkward, fey and twee, which I enjoy. He's a little much a bit of the time, Neil Hannon, and I have a strong feeling that I wouldn't want to go for too many pints with him, but he can certainly deliver lovely tunes.

I’ve never heard of this, and the brief description didn’t prepare me for what was to come. This album is right up my musical alley. I’m a sucker for show tunes, regardless if they’re from an actual musical. I really like his voice and the instrumentation was very listenable. “Everybody Knows (Except You)” is now on my favorites playlist. I say this often, but records like this are what I love about doing the album a day exercise. I never would’ve heard it otherwise.

I don't know much about this artist, but this album somehow sounds both campy and earnest at the same time. Blending modern chamber pop with 80s ballad style music supports the premise well. I don't know if I'll listen to this again, but I did find it enjoyable in a quirky unique way.

Alright, I'm making a real push to catch up again. Excited that this album lives up to its title. A tight 30 good be great. Let's get into it! Listening notes: -A little theatrical on our first track. And a little schmaltzy. Could be fun, could be annoying. -Think I'm enjoying my first listen. "Someone" is doing it for me Review: A little dramatic for my tastes but pretty and pleasant with a couple solid tracks. And short. I'll round 3.5 to 4 again, on account of the tightness of the album.

I think it is genuinely difficult for men to write love songs that aren't overly trite and schmaltzy. The Divine Comedy does a pretty decent job of doing it in this one. There are a few lines that go a bit too far over that line into cringe turf, but he just comes across as earnest in his intent. And as the youths will tell us, earnestness leads to cringe. I'm also a sucker for chamber pop and orchestral backing. This album has it in spades. So overall, I'd give this 4.5 stars, rounding down to 4 though for that horse line. You know the one.

Slow and cheesy, mellow baritone crooner - like Morrissey, but in the style of Tom Jones.

A man who years is a man who earns. I think Irish men invented yearning or something. The instrumentals are so beautiful, especially the intro to timewatching.

Another crooner. It definitely was short but not great. High 2.

Too theatrical and kind of boring. The last song (I'm all you need) was ok, but didn't need the rest.

This was pretty forgettable. One of the songs sounded like Frank Sinatra so that was something.

I could tell straight away it was going for a grand, cinematic feel. The lush orchestration and theatrical vocals make it sound almost like a stage production rather than a typical pop album. Neil Hannon’s voice is front and centre, full of character and drama, and songs like “Everybody Knows (Except You)” really lean into that big, romantic sweep. The problem for me was that the whole thing felt a bit too polished and arch to really connect on an emotional level. The arrangements are impressive, but after a few tracks the mix of overly smooth strings and wry delivery started to feel repetitive. There’s a lot of craft here, but not enough moments that made me want to come back for another listen

6/10

short and sweet

If Scott 2 was good. Fave song: In Pursuit of Happiness

Not a big fan, voice does lowkey remind me of Scott Walker's. The insturmentals were good except for that one song that was ear-rapey at the end. Glad it was a short album and not a long album about love. Favourite Song: Someone

enjoyable, just good

A little bit sappy, but I guess that’s what you get on an album about love.

can’t try and be sinatra

Wanted to hate it, but the guitar work is so smooth and nice on some tracks. Also not my thing, but had fun. I want love songs to be like this not the 80s pop drama

This guy has dedicated his life to write the best love song, and he's given it a good go.

ok but kinda forgettable 50/100

Dude got so tired of questions like “would you still love me if I was a horse?” he wrote a whole song about it

It didn't do much for me🤷‍♀️

Bavi me to, trochu do opery

Pretty good sound

Damn OTT orchestrations and lush Neil Hannon vocals are triggering quite a few here. The writer of the Father Ted theme and My Lovely Horse will forever get respect at mine, and these are just great Divine Comedy songs.

You gotta be kidding. This is a "must listen" for nobody. Even if you like mellow, orchestral Pop music, there are a million better choices than this pile of musical poop.

As the title suggests, this album consists of a series of quippy love songs. The album is, in fact, short, but the songs are not. And this really wasn't as intimate and warm as I would've guessed; every song here sounds grandiose and theatrical. There's just so much happening with the music here at all times, and it grows very tired very quickly. I'd say the only song I truly enjoyed was 'Everybody Knows (Except You)', a solid standalone song. The creeping and swelling strings of 'Timewatching' were nice, but this ended up being one of the more forgettable songs here; it's too slow and uneventful. The vocals and lyrics on the album, while fitting, are just as painstakingly melodramatic as the music. So yeah, didn't like this album. I did like the line "If you were a man, I'd still love you" though.

Nice

Divine comedy manages to strike a chord of sardonic humor that resonates in ways other heartbreak albums just don't; the song writing is witty and vocal delivery manages to be varied and engaging. While a bit over produced, the tracklist is tight and cohesive making the album quite enjoyable

Just like the other album on this list from The Divine Comedy, this definitely feels more like a musical/Broadway production than an traditional album. His performance is very self indulgent and you know this dude just likes the smell of his own farts...

Good album

El álbum empieza muy bien, pero en la 4 canción baja el nivel y se hacen todas muy parecidas

Another first time artist and album for me. Thanks for the introduction!

p810. 1997. 1 star. Not as clever or as funny as it thinks it is. There is something about Neil Hannon and his annoying faux-Scott Walker vocals that makes me want to punch him every time he opens his mouth. On the plus side it's short.

6/10. Not particularly my taste. Might listen to it again but mostly not.

Not for me.

1. Overwrought 2. Even worse 3. I'm starting to think that because a rock outfit has strings and orchestral backing, people assume a band is deep and meaningful...well, no. (Suede, Blur, hell, even Oasis are NOT this overwrought. Please stop them from embarrassing themselves and all of us who love "Britpop" This is just crap....) 4. If you were a horse (at first I thought they were singing "whore" which at least might have been a bit edgy)? This is getting ridiculous. Please kill me.... 5. If I were you, I'd not have made this crappy song and worse album. I would've put away the strings and the pretense, I definitely would've galloped off...away from you because you're a hack whacker. (Luckily, this might be last time I will ever listen to this crap. I'm going to make the whole 7 songs, but I vote this as one of the worst experiences of Britpop I've ever experienced. Embarrassing.) 6. Puerile. Dammit, it keeps getting more horrible. 7. This guy keeps singing about animals...maybe he is really a pervert who thinks he's funny? This is not cute, nor clever, not even particularly witty. This might be the worse "best" album ever put on vinyl, plastic, etched anywhere at any time. I'll need to purge this bad bad britpop with some truly excellent stuff by Blur, Suede, Verve, hell even Oasis. Please shoot this guy...the best thing I can say about it was that it was thankfully short and did end before I killed myself. This album went to -11. I need some better Britpop music. I'll start with Blur (1997)...just about 1 minute in I'm feeling better (Beetlebum, thank you.) And Woo hoo!!!!

Ah, I get it now! This album is all about a guy creepily staring at an unsuspecting woman through her window while hiding in the bushes!

Could have been about 30 minutes shorter if you ask me. It's well made by competent musicians, I just don't see how this can be in the book while Burt Bacharach and Henry Mancini aren't.

genuinely surprised by this one. another album on this list that can be simply described as "all killer, no filler". orchestral, almost big band pop music inspired from classic mood and ballrom music from almost a century ago. songs of longing and intense emotion, this album is chock full of pretty and progressive orchestral motifs and accompaniments. despite the short runtime, there's a lot of power in the instrumentals that make the songs hit a lot harder.

Clever and cheeky, sure, and assuredly executed, but did we really need two of these louche-y larks? For Godfather 2 or the Empire Strikes Back this is not. It's less outrageous (or obvious) than Casanova, and so its seems likely that the jokes were lost on even more people. The most germane questions might be how often the hipsters (the purported intended audience) who bought this in the late '90s listen to it now and whether they feel good about their purchase today?

I listened to this twice. The first time, I kind of liked it but I found it a little old fashioned and a little cringy in how dramatic it is (especially some of the lyrics in "If..."). On a second listen, I was in a mood better suited to leaning in to the drama of it, and my response to the music was totally transformed. What before had seemed cringy and overwraught now seemed romantic and sweeping. The orchestration is lush and has a grandeur that fits the dramatic lyrics perfectly. The singing is great too; the style sits between Englebert Humperdink and Dusty Springfield. Enough songs failed to resonate with me that I can't give this 5 stars, but I would definitely listen to some of these songs again

#38 A Short Album About Love ~ The Divine Comedy The Divine Comedy is such a funny fucking band. The reason is that Neil Hannon is really good at writing awfully cheesy showtunes with lyrics that long for the 50s and 60s and instrumentals from the 70s. Today he's more known for writing TV show themes and songs for musicals. In fact he wrote the songs for Wonka recently. And now I need to tell you this sappy kitsch music got him famous in 90s Britain, in between the dance music of Fatboy Slim, 808 State, Chemical Brothers and the Prodigy, the boy and girl bands of Take That and Spice Girls, and the Britpop movement. So this pretentious middle-class fop with a love for parody and pastiche was always going to be a underdog in the music scene. But taking a deep listen, you can see the guy had talent. There is some seriously bold production evident and the sound of the album is very strong. The instruments, which involves a chamber orchestra, go through some incredibly beautiful moments to contrast some incredibly goofy sarcastic lyrics. 'Everybody Knows (Except You)' the second track has some incredible cartharsis for absolutely no reason except it sounds cool when Hannon sings about basically sinking a cock into someone. And most of these songs are just incredibly cheesy in a really funny way. You will hear lyrics never uttered before (If you were a horse, I'd clean the crap out of your stable, and never once complain if you were a horse). But Neil Hannon didn't necessarily mind too much, he wanted to get people sappy and happy, and this is definitely a sappy, happy funny album with some truly incredible orchestral sounds to boot. It must be said, that his later albums are definitely better than this because they were a lot more serious than this, but A Short Album About Love is most certainly Hannon's most consistent and capturing of a vision: to create the soundtrack of a melodramatic sitcom. And I can't be too mad about that. This is simply just one of the funniest albums out there, an album that has insane over-the-top instrumentals for incredibly corny over-the-top lyrics.

This was another great album from The Divine Comedy, especially from his output in the ’90s when he was probably at his peak. I’m usually not the first person to talk about vocals, since I’m more drawn to the music that surrounds them, but I have to admit, I really love his wordplay. On one side, it’s witty, smirky, and tongue-in-cheek. On the other, it’s suave, refined, theatrical, and delivered with sincerity. He’s very articulate and precise, yet still playful. He truly is one of a kind, and let’s just say, if I was Scott Walker, he’d definitely get my approval.

Ikke hørt

I don't get it.

Once again an album, or even a band, I didn't know that turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I guess I did know 'Everybody knows' (except you)', that must have been on the playlist of the alternative music station I listened to anno 1997. It's not the best song of the album, that's beyond doubt 'Someone'. Closing track 'I'm all you need' is also a gem. The music is very Scott Walker-like. Just a little less edge to it, except 'Someone' - that's why it's the best track of the album. In its weaker moments it also reminds you of Neil Diamond and even John Barry-style James Bond songtracks. Weak point is 'Wimewatching' - it never comes off the ground. It grew on my every time I listened to it. So yeah, good album.

Os arranjos orquestrais são ótimos, composições doces, emotivas, algo old fashioned, "Barcharachesco", soa televisivo (tipo séries antigas), o rapaz tem um vozeirão, surpreendente. Curti a banda! 4 estrelas.

Why is this guy in here TWICE

Me gustó pero probablemente no lo vuelva a escuchar

it's giving jazz it's giving india and it's giving musical no ha estado mal supongo no me he parado ha escuchar la letra 2.5/5 canción que más me ha gustado: someone

Fine.

Meh. Sappy, but I liked "If I were You (I'd Be Through With Me)".

The Divine Comedy is all of the bets parts of John Hawley with none of the boredom

Alright album, they have a very novelty-song feel to their songwriting but it wasn't too heavy with that on this album, just an album full of slightly interesting suit-and-bowtie-pop songs, not the most exciting but don't mind a first listen

7/10 The lyrics are laying it on a bit too thick, but Im a sucker for dramatic music. Highlight: In Pursuit of Happiness Someone

less sexual pulp = more boring pulp

Album name was very on point. Was missing a lot of the eccentricity of other divine comedy songs which is their USP really. The songs were okay but didn't ever really grab me. Now that I'm finishing off this review a day later I can't remember a single song except for the slow one near the end.

Knock-off Nick Cave. As different from Casanova as is possible to be. A lot of it is fine, but not nearly as deep as they think it is. Very little madcap nonsense.

This really did nothing for me. I'm all for melancholy and or sad love songs, but think the impact is lost when you make the lyrics light hearted and a bit comedic. I might just be describing their schtick though... But this one didn't do it for me

Cute! I enjoyed the word play for the love songs

I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. I naively assumed that The Divine Comedy were a comedy music group, considering their name and that the only song I knew before now was "National Express". The music (and particularly the singing) put me in mind of The Walker Brothers, and I think this is supported by their cover of 'Make It Easy On Yourself' (on the expanded version of this album). The style is a kind of baroque pop which I didn't realise had made it out of the 60s, but I like it. All that being said, it seems unlikely I'll ever listen to this again.

4/5

Songs that sound like they should be in a bad musical that takes itself too seriously. Some of the orchestral pieces would be alright if they weren't ruined by the singing and lyrics.

Rating: 6/10 An album about a man wishing his lover was a dog or horse so he can bang her. A love story for the ages.

"If you were a horse I'd clean the crap out of your stable"... and they say romance is dead huh?

Fucking boring

pass

Maybe I’m shallow, but this guys affect makes me think he’s a creep. And I can’t shake it. The music isn’t bad, and usually I’m a fan of grand chamber pop sounds, but for this one I’m out.

While not bad this album didn't speak to me at all. I felt mostly neither positively or negatively about the song. They were just there, probably something I could have on in the background but if it comes to that I have other things I would rather have playing.

Liked this one quite a bit.

Its like watching Juno movie all over the album.

Not short enough! I am not a fan of this dude's voice.

Blind album and artist. Nothing notable but not bad I guess.

Oddly, I know this band, because ONE of their songs is a favorite of mine, on several of my playlists. But it's not on this album, and the album it is on doesn't have any other tracks that I like very much. The name of it is Songs of Love, from the album Casanova, which came out a year before this one. Most of his stuff is just, frankly, weird. I thought they were a one hit wonder and only now am learning they (really mainly one guy though) made 12 albums, the most recent just this year!

Why?

this guys voice pisses me off

Favorite songs are Everybody Knows (Except You) and Timewatching

ei valehdellut tittelissä on tosiaan lyhyt. kiitän tästä. bonus bointseja ehkäpä tästä? miksiei. vasta toinen albumi tältä jätkältä one of the most influenaeklsrjaslktajsloitjaesrlas aiwinfluential pieces of shit of all time.. tarvii kolmannen ja neljännen ja viidennen.. niin uskomattoman jännittävä ja ainutlaatuinen.. aaaaahhhhhh. laulaa niin hienosti.. ja laulut järisyttäviä. kuullutkaan moisia aikaisemmin! waaaaau.. SPESIAAALI TÄMÄ ON JOTAIN NIIN VITUN SPESIAAALIAA!!!!!! omg if you were mountain. i would climb you.. if you were a dog i would fuck you? what did he mean nby this fucking asshole. literally. someine

I was fooled by the schmaltzy music..... when I started actually paying attention to the lyrics, I was entertained. Sad. But entertained.

I really don't understand why I needed to hear TWO Divine Comedy albums before I died. None would have been enough! This one was more tolerable than Casanova. Was this supposed to be super cheesy? Is that what the comedy is all about?

Gave it two listens and can't get past the campy lounge act quality. If the lyrics weren't so banal, they may have saved it for me.

What is this? It feels like something that would be on my drama club mix tape. It's not awful. It feels like a group influenced by the Smiths. Only without the cleverness or charm.

Irish Burt Bacharach? Sometimes I think the problem is not knowing how to categorize the music in my head. Orchestral crashes, syrupy almost schmaltzy singing. Imaginative and often outlandish lyrics. What do I do with this? It took me a second listen to start to appreciate. I do love the over-the-topness of If…. “If you were a horse, I would clean the crap out of your stable, and never once complain.” That’s just hysterical.

Sure.

Truly awful. Time I'll never get back.

I don't really care for this. very moany. very morrisey-esque. The later tracks are better. someone is good. it is quite strange. somewhere between radiohead and a james bond soundtrack. 3/5

meh

Unlike, seemingly, the majority of the people who are on this website I’m totally on this band’s wavelength. Irreverent, operatic, and fun. Totally my jam. 4/5

I know two divine comedy songs and love one of them, neither are on this album so. Will his voice get annoying? Will this be another thumbs down for 1997? Let's find out. He.. I'm finding out his name hang on. Neil Hannon does have the kind of voice you could hang your whole sound on and neglect the rest but he doesn't there's some big sound going on. Strings always a plus. If.. is very beautiful and weird and I've just deleted the end of this sentence bc I once again started talking about andy robertson after hearing the word Dog. If I Were You actually deeply lovely. Time watching less so just not my bag it's too much. I'm all you need Massive i love this. Yeah i like this a lot. I got interrupted a couple of times so missed some bits but thats a great excuse to come back to it. His voice is a bit too Big and Baritone on some songs as i thought but it's also what I wish I could sing like. You can tell this is a proper little weirdo music nerd at work and that's leading me to bring out the direct comparison to Pulp.

Reminded me of Neil Diamond and Leonard Cohen. It's theatrical and sometimes silly (If you were a horse I'd clean the crap out of your stable.) Not really my style of music, but it's OK.

I’m not quick to give out 1 stars but my god I thought that was awful, nothing appealed to me and it just didn’t work

Felt too over the top and some of the metaphors I just did not agree with

If + If I Were You WOW. On repeat

Yeaaaah didn’t like this one. It was sooo ssslllooowww. I had to stop and come back to it a few times, which is bad considering the entire album is just over half an hour. Nothing made the playlist.

Truly never heard of this artist. Not my style, very interesting though. Cool stuff.

It has interesting moments where the instrumentation soars and shines but beyond that, this is kind of a jokey (or is it actually self serious) mess. Good thing it was short.

Listening to The Divine Comedy is like going to an orchestra's summer pops starlight dinner concert: I'd almost always prefer to hear classical music or the actual pop artist instead of a boring mashup with mediocre vocals while I eat bland catered meat loaf or whatever. Lyrics 1/10 only because I laughed at "if you were a horse, I'd clean the crap out of your stable." Instrumentation 0/10 Vocals 0/10

I assume the album is a send-up mockery of love songs? Even at that, it’s super-over the top. The arrangement is all drama & the lyrics/vocals are all schmaltz. There’s occasionally some interesting music happening in the background. But it’s too much. The music could be a 2 but the overdramatic lyrics and singing make it, clearly, a 1. One song i thought was going to be good, devolved into silliness, with lyrics like “if you were a horse, i’d clean the crap out of your stable; if you were horse I could ride you through the fields at dawn…through the day, until the day was gone. I could sing about you in all my songs as we rode away into the setting sun.” 🤮 And “if you were a dog I’d feed you scraps off of the table, though my wife complains...” This is one of the better songs. In other words, it sucks. It’s a one.

On the lower end of 3 stars

I do not know if we needed two Divine Comedy albums in this book. I did enjoy Casanova and I am sure the crooning is only for certain individuals. I tend to enjoy it mostly, especially on Especially on Everybody Knows That I Love You, which is a great track. Still, Casanova was a great example of what this band does and the inclusion of the orchestra on this one doesn't necessarily merit the inclusion of both albums. No one can claim the Divine Comedy is guilty of false advertising. This is a Short Album about Love and it is definitely a short album that is about love. I liked pretty much every song here, which surprised me. Still, not sure if both albums should be in this book. Fun crooning though!

Eh, not for me. I feel like I'm getting a lot of these kind of UK groups where the voices are distracting for me

in pursuit of happiness- 5 everybody knows- the chorus is good. 5 or 6 someone- 5 if- 4 if i were you- 5 timewatching- 4 im all you need- 5 he didnt lie, it was a short album about love

Didn’t really grab me

Neil Hannon is clearly a lovely talented man. I probably wouldn't have this on the list myself, but I'm never disappointed when The Divine Comedy appears on my rotation. "Everybody Knows" in particular is an absolutely glorious piece of wistful pop

Surprised, but not surprised by how theatrical this album was considering Neil Hannon works a lot composing for TV and film, including writing the songs for Wonka. Funny to see he was a performer in Stuart Murdoch's "God Save the Girl" movie because Stuart mentioned him when we met as a person his wife wants him to be more like--because he's getting paid to write songs for movies. That all being said, I can appreciate why this album is on the list, but just wasn't my cup of tea.

2,5

Love it when this thing doesn't save my review. "If" was so bad it's good, and the rest is just bad.

How in the actual fuck is this essential listening? The wikipedia article couldn't even find more than two sentences to say about it. This is music made for high school theater kids. They will outgrow it in under a year and be embarrassed they ever listened to it too. God damn this is absolute crap.

Slow and boring

Very good. When the recommended track after the album is finished is a Radiohead track

2. Not much jam.

Le sigh. I suppose this is this challenge's attempt to claim unbiased legitimacy by including a(nother) token entry from this subgenre (though "Punishing Kiss" by Ute Lemper was MORE than sufficient representation). 2/1001 = .1998%; which is proportionally more than the population listening to this crap; so, can we please consider it "represented" and move on?

Everything from the lyrics to the vocals was ROUGH! This was so bad, I was cracking up. As far as my listening preferences are concerned this deserves a one. As far as entertainment value I would give this a 5. Thanks for the very unique experience I will never repeat in my life.

More wonderful weirdness from The Divine Comedy! Liked Cassanova better, but props again for being such a unique thing in the late 90's. 3.25

Pleasant. Amusing.

Really enjoyed this from start to finish, thought despite it being an album about love it offered a good variety of perspectives and was sufficiently varied musically to never be boring. Thought the production was solid and enjoyed the grandiose elements, along with the humourous lyrics that really set it apart from a lot of other albums from this era included on the list, which are a bit too self-serious at times

It was ok. I won’t download it, but not too bad.

I know the Casanova album (the one before this) and liked some of Hannon's whimsical ways. I never got this but the single Everybody Knows (Except You) is one of their best songs and If... contains the memorable line 'If you were a horse, I'd clean the crap out of your stable' but it's really just a glorified EP. Seven tracks and just over half and hour, I've already forgotten most of the rest.

"If you were a horse, I'd clean the crap out of your stable."

רואים את ההשפעה ממוריסי . אינסטרומנטליות סוחפת ונעימה אבל לא מעניינת מדי . הוא בכיין קצת , מתאים לנסיעות. אהבת את if… גם את im all you need

The Whores of Yawnsville

Really don't know about this one. Kind of weird, and not really in a good way. Annoying theatrical/cinematic vocals and stupid lyrics. Managed to listen to it more than once out of morbid curiosity to see if any of it would resonate - which it didn't, so since it wasn't awfully awful, I guess it gets a 1.5 rounded up to a 2. Will give it a bonus half point for lyrics referencing horse shit.

The joke’s on us.

Chamber Pop? Really? I mean, I can appreciate a good sub-genre now and again, but this just isn't one of those times. It is an inexplicable combination of The Smiths/Morrissey (brilliant) and 70's mediocre singer/songwriter constructs (Harry Nilsson et al - not brilliant) to greater negative effect. It's not that it is bad or unlistenable, it is just wrong. It reminds me of a great quote from Jurassic Park when talking about the irresponsible science around growing dinosaur... "you were too busy asking whether on not you could instead of asking wether you should."

Showtune music without a show (and mixed like one too). Full of vamping, crooning, and bellyaching. It’s only 7 songs long and I kept checking to see if it was almost over. “If you were a horse I’d clean the crap out of your stable.” What this album is trying to do, Magnetic Fields’ “69 Love Songs” (released two years later) did so much better it makes Divine Comedy sound like a retroactive imitation.

Interesting dramatic melodies with classical backing.

As I approach the half way point in this project. I am not surprised that the author included "a short album about love". ...This isn't a compliment.