A Short Album About Love

1. in purzuit of happinezz - 0 2. everybody knouuz - 1 3. zomeone - 2 4. if - 1 5. if you uuere you - 1.5 6. timeuuatching - 1 7. im all you need - 1.5

Overall sound is OK, lyrics are not great

Una mena de Scott Walker dels temps moderns. Arranjaments de luxe sobre cançons de crooner de nou mil.leni. Sent un disc tan curt, podria ser més rodó, però temes com 'If' o 'Everybody Knows (Except You)' ja fan que valgui la pena

Just wasn't for me. I'm not a fan of 80's-90's pop, and this was many of the worst parts of that era. Pretty bland lyrics, not a great sound. This one's a pass.

I love many albums by The Divine Comedy. On my shelves, I have the debut *Liberation* and the sophomore LP *Promenade*--with its gorgeous minimalist string orchestrations inspired by Philip Glass and Michael Nyman. I also own their commercial breakthrough *Casanova*, the indie-rock, Radiohead-inspired *Regeneration*, and their real true masterpiece *Absent Friends*. My partner also owns *Bang Goes The Knighthood*, because she's much more of a fan than I am, even though she doesn't collect albums. Yet I would lie if I said I know that later very well... So I'd say I'm more than "open-minded" when it comes to Neil Hannon's *oeuvre*. Yet I don't have *A Short Album About Love*. I've always considered that "rock critics" overrated that one, expecially compared to later, more consistent albums. You can bet your boots that if Hannon had released that project *after* *Absent Friends*, most people would have forgotten it by now. It's one of those records where Hannon crosses the line and becomes quaint, boring and hackneyed, musically speaking. The blame doesn't lie in the concept and the wonderful production but in the overlong compositions, clearly lacking the lively dynamics of the best The Divine Comedy songs. Therefore, and as "short" as it is, that album feels like it goes on for an hour. So, nope, not this one. 2/5 for the purposes of this list, translating to a 7/10 grade for more general purposes (5 +2). Next, please... Number of albums left to review: 385 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 280 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 146 Albums from the list I won't include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 195 (including this one)

"The friend who claims he can sing who had enough cash to hire an orchestra - The album". Sounds very dull and boring.

Always be yourself! Unless you can be Sinatra, then always be Sinatra. Or, perhaps, Freddy Mercury.

Meh

The beginning of "A Short Album About Love", feels camp. The over the top instrumentals and overbearing singing on the first few songs (In Pursuit of Happiness and Everybody Knows) feel as though this album is a joke that I just don't understand. This deviates with "Someone". While the song still has incredibly overbearing instrumentation, the song feels real, raw, and actually fits the Neil Hammon's voice. And yet, we go back to cheesy, overdone, and straight up weird songs with "If...". "If I Were You" feels like it comes out of a musical, and I'm not sure how to feel about it. The next song, "Timewatching" continues the musical theater trend, but feels deep and brooding. It's one of the more serious songs. The album concludes with "I'm All You Need", an extravagant yet surprisingly self-aggrandizing song. The instrumentation is amazing, and yet the lyrics really make you dislike the singer. Overall, the musical backing is entertaining and intriguing. The live orchestra adds something that many albums miss. Unfortunately, the singing and lyrics hold this album back. At many times, it's hard to tell if we're supposed to laugh or take the album seriously. To me, The Divine Comedy gives theater kid energy. In some songs that really works, and in others it really doesn't. Best Songs: Someone, Timewatching Worst Songs: Everybody Knows (Except You), If...,

Neil is talented as a lyricist, but I find the music boring and moaney. This album is better off on someone else's shelf than mine.

Was interesting but then everything sounds the same after

this was not as bad as i thought. kinda monotone and goofy tho.

Sometimes okay, sometimes just cheesy and dull. Don't really get the appeal

Beautiful, fun, elegant, great simple concepts executed extremely well. Varying instrumentation keeps me on my toes and gets this album the edge it needs to be wonderful, even if it's only following its title's instructions.

I love the full instrumental, but get tired of his voice, so there's only so much I can take. I didn't love this

Better overall than Casanova, in part because it's trying less hard to be wry/humorous. Its length also works in its favor. A high 3.

Not a bad album actually. But bad timing for nothing but love songs lol

Don’t really remember any of the songs.

A year ago I never heard of these guys, now I'm a fan. Really like the style and music! Standouts: Everybody Knows, If..., Someone, If I Were You, In Pursuit of Happiness, Timewatching, Favorite lyric: "If you were a tree, I could carve my name into your side, and you would not cry, cause trees don't cry," 4.5 / 5

Mercifully short thankfully, nothing inspired or engaging coming out of this one. A weird combo of sometimes country, sometimes showtune takes two of my more challenging genres and doesn’t do much of anything worthwhile with them, and the vocals aren’t doing the whole thing any favors.

Not loving this one. It kind of sounds like James Bond theme music from two or three or more decades ago.

The title sums the album up perfectly. Witty, emotional, and just a wee bit strange chamber pop, The Divine Comedy appears to be, in this form at least, a 50s lounge act given a Gen X makeover with a bit of Irish wit thrown in for good measure. Curious about their other work. Not sure about Neil Hammon’s singing voice: at times it is powerful and full of emotion, other times it sounds underdone, like he should have gone for another take. Overall enjoyable, though not exactly memorable.

You didn’t miss anything with this one. Move along

It felt more like a Broadway album than anything. And even for it being such a short album, I got tired of the songs about halfway through. There were some great instrumentals but it felt more like a concept that should’ve been condensed into a single song.

Lives up to its title in that it’s a short album and is indeed about love. Overwhelmingly sincere, almost to the point of being saccharine.

I thought I would like it when it started, but it turns out it was a bit overdone and boring

I truly enjoyed the other Divine Comedy album we had (Casanova), despite and partially even because of all of the shtick, kitsch, and the near overwhelming amount of pathos, with just the right tongue-in-cheek feel to it. This one has all of the same ingredients. But the mix just doesn't quite do it for me like Casanova did. I guess it's hard to tread the line between convincingly over the top with bland kitsch on one side and overdoing the pathos on the other side.

No tracks stood out but I enjoyed the album.

I like: Everybody knows (except you) If... If you were a horse I'd clean the crap out of your stable

It's aight

Not a fine of the guy’s lounge singer voice.

There's no jokes on this. False advertising. Honestly good though - love the orchestral stuff.

This was pretty good

Lovely album! Almost Tony Bennett esqe at times. Loved it. Makes the five star rating system frustrating. I want to give it more than 3 but have to rate based on other albums 72/100

I like how the songs build with some nice instrumentals. Solidly okay.

Really good, but I especially love the demos that have smaller arrangements.

Beautiful record, uniquely recorded in the Royal Albert Hall. Never listened to them, and was quite surprised! Will sit down some more with their music 7,5 out of 10

Un espectacular album que recolecta increíbles canciones románticas. El sonido del álbum es intenso al igual que sus letras, evocativa a la música romántica clásica, pero con un tinte moderno que les quita la edad. No diría que es un indispensable, pero es un gran álbum.

Not bad, but fades to the background pretty quickly.

Boff je l'ai écouté fort dans mes ecouteurs et ça a peut êtes forcé.un peu la note mais c'était très moyen comment album. 2.5

No thanks

I lapped this up in my youth and saw Divine Comedy tour with an orchestra to play these songs! Youthful optimism and naivety was attracted to these perfect notions of romance and love whilst Hannon’s wit slyly undercut the sincerity here and there. As for its inclusion here, I am unconvinced that it is an album you must listen to and there are other albums in Divine Comedy’s back catalogue which sums up baroque pop - Promenade is probably their most complete album, Casanova has the biggest hits and even more recent offering Victory For The Comic Muse is more enduring. But I can’t knock on DC and they meant a lot to me.

The only thing comedic about this album is how astonishingly bad it is.

Reminds me of the Magnetic Fields. Kinda boring and weird. Two stars for at least keeping it short.

Het album is wat het belooft. Kort, en over de liefde. Ik vond het niet slecht

This was a very compelling album because honestly I don't think any other orchestral or chamber pop album I have ever heard sounded like this one. The vocals on this album feel like they are from Broadway in that they are so crisp and enunciated for better or for worse. It was a weird experience. It was like listening to an opera but without the annoying operatic singing. I kind of liked it but I really have not clue what situation I could possibly play this and it felt like the right music to play. It's an enigma. I did like it though. The only song I was not a fan of was the first song and the second song was meh but after that they rattle of five straight extremely grandiose songs that were extremely interesting to listen to. Still thinking of when I can listen to this outside of time where I am listening to music by myself but overall 8.5/10

Lovely whimsical album but ultimately forgettable.

I chuckled along with the last The Divine Comedy album I was given, enough that I remembered it more than a year later when served this album. This new batch of songs are just as ridiculous, which could be fun, but some of the charm has worn off. A touch more tedious a bit less witty and, well, pretty mean. Anyway, do we really need two of these albums on this list?

Lovely enough musically, cheeky enough lyrically.

Up da ra

Yeah the lush chamber pop is not really for me. I don't think this band needs to have one album on this list, let alone at least two. At least it is short.

i like what he’s trying but again i’d probably reach for any scott walker record before i’d reach for this

I’m unsure what it was but I didn’t find anything particularly good in this. Throughout it all I wanted was for it to be over. Once it was I was relieved I’ll never have to do it again.

Just not that super. Not terrible, but really didn't break any boundaries, apart from some good taste boundaries in the lyrics.

I like it better than I thought I would.

I dunno about this one. I normally don't mind baritone singers but something about this guy just sounds pretentious which is strange because lyrically he proves he's not taking any of this seriously. Speaking of lyrics. They're not as funny or witty as he seems to think they are. Just listen to If... to get an idea of what I'm talking about. Musically the orchestral presentation isn't bad but it isn't enough to make this worth listening to either. Thank God I decided against the remaster which is twice as long as the original release. It's like a 2.5-3 star but I'll probably just round down to a 2 on this one. It's all pretty forgettable. As I was typing all this out I think I figured it out. The way he sings sometimes sounds like a prince from those old animated Disney movies and it's just super cheesy and borderline annoying.

Lo, as the generator has felt it necessary to unleash a period of unprecedented fallowness one year into my journey, ‘tis befitting that the wretched beast of recommendations should bestow upon me a band whose moniker is The Divine Comedy…For now, truly, I must ponder which of the nine circles of hell I inhabit.

Tarkoituksella awkward sanoitukset haha hauskaa.. Vituttaa vaan kun ei kunnolla hauskat kun pitää keskittyä rakkausteemaa eli tulee semmone paskasekotus joka ilmesesti haluttu saada aikaan melodiat täysin samaa koko 36 minuuttia hohhoijaaa.. Hauska näinhän se menee rakkausalbumeissako heh.. Ensimmäisen ironiakerros annetaan ilmaiseksi eli heh ei olekkaan perusrakkauslaulu eriskummaliset sanat hahah awww... rakkaus.. Toinen ironiakerros pitää katsojan yrittää löytää päänsä sisältä. Hän voi esimerkiksi ajatella että albumi pilkkaa rakastavaisia jotka kuuntelevat albumia ja naurahtavat välillä kun tulee höpsön söpö lyriikka.. Tämä ei kuitenkaan ole tarpeeksi cope... Sen takia tarvitaan kolmasironiakerros, harmillisesti tämä kolmaskerros, vaikka olisi ihan hauska konseptualisoida päässä, ei riiittäisi tekemään tästä albumista mitään spesiaalia niinkuin esim röökiä vetänä albumi jossa jo toinen ironiakerros ylsi viiteen tähteen. Korkeampien ironiakerrosten tutkiminen voi olla tarpeellista mutta on todennäköistä että tästä albumista ei voi tarpeeksi älykäs ihminen nauttia...

Odd: I'm really not sure about this. I didn't hate it but the music just sounded dulling and merged into background noise with no meaning to me. Also what the hell are these lyrics, it just seems like an album for those who feel 'different' or 'misunderstood' but in reality it's just really cringe.

Loved it

Really not my thing

Fun album - love the orchestration, the melodies and lyrics are clever. My favorite piece is Timewatching - homage to Nat King Cole - he's singing with only string accompaniment. The strings are exquisite.

Meh.

Solid, big fan of Timewatching. Still not as good as uzi

It's kinda fun. Would probably get a better rating if I listened to it more closely

Decent listening. Not highly offensive but not extremely interesting either

I listened to this once through and seriously thought, "What the hell did I just listen to?" And I was prepared to toss this on the pile of 1s. But our listening group figured out, this was kind of meant to be an over the top, comedic-leaning sort of endeavor. I gave it a second listen. Don't get me wrong, the album is still strange, but now that I know it's supposed to be strange, I think I actually like it.

It's good but I also don't want to listen again.

I have a hard time picking out lyrics when casually listening to music. Purely considering the sound of the album, it wasn't so bad. Nothing particularly stood out as something I'd seek to listen to again in the future, but also nothing was bothersome to listen to.

First listen: 2 stars. Second listen after realizing that I didn't need to take it so seriously: 3.5 stars.

it was fine for what it was

Music wasn't bad, weird lyrics. I just kind of zoned out on those and it was pleasant.

This ain't it, I certainly appreciate that it was a short album about love. Such lame lyricism god damn. 1.5/5 Fav track: If I were you

Production was lush, some really nice orchestral touches. Those vocals, boya oh boy were they twee! Was often not sure if the lyrics were supposed to be funny, but not sure I can give it the benefit of the doubt. Too too twee. Fave track: Someone

Sounds like an original cast recording of a jukebox musical of Scott Walker unreleased B-sides. Thanks to Maeve for helping me write that. Fave track: In Pursuit of Happiness

With the obvious shades of Scott Walker, I enjoyed this album a LOT more than I expected to. Beautiful.

Something about this feels off. Every time I start to think I'm enjoying it, it takes a turn I don't like.

10/10 The Divine Comedy has to be one of the coolest musicians I’ve ever heard he’s got such a great style; I love the way he composes music

In Pursuit of Happiness is wonderful, but I've always felt this album tails off very quickly. Lots of dirges.

Well, what else can be said about it? It is a short album about love. While not as boisterous and empathic as such a concept required, The Divine Comedy uses whatever he had in his arsenal to do his job well. It even has a tinge of late 60s/early 70s Scott Walker influenced orchestration that is easy to spot at points. Good stuff. Favorites: Everybody Knows (Except You), If, If I Were You (I'd Be Through Me), Timewatching.

What a strange record, interesting take on a pop album, it feels like a theatre production tried to do Brit Pop. Lyrical it's very silly with comparisons to sheep, horses and dogs. Nothing stands out it was fun.

Started this and thought I was going to hate it but it grew on me. Maybe part of me is being kind to this because I’m still recovering from the 80 minute Wilco album from yesterday. This is a unique album which makes it hard to compare to anything else. The theatrical orchestral music is what really saves this one for me. If the music was more traditional rock it wouldn’t have the same effect.

How is he so good and so fucking punchable at the same time?

It was fine.

IDK what to make of this album. Kind of hated it at first then I warmed a bit. But in the end, this just reminds me of a stage musical with a bit of a pop music aesthetic and it kind of falls flat. More random UK shit from the 90s that doesn't belong.

I've got a kinda soft spot for Neil and DC. It's so easy listening and camp but inoffensive. You can only take so much of course.......

I have tried over and over again to be interested in albums by this group, and never succeeded. Not terrible, just not for me. Perhaps too clever for his own good?

som bem agradável

The length is acceptable. Dunkin’ on last 2 long albums. Might be a 4 without Timewatching. 7/10

good length, didn't annoy me, nothing special. most 3/5 album ive ever heard.

Short and sweet, like my butt cheeks

4.0

Sardonic orchestral love songs is probably a good summary of the album. It is also a short album, as promised... thing is with The Divine Comedy it's very much a mood thing - some days I'm into them, some days, not. Still, this record is short enough for that fact not to matter, as it's funny, soaring and doesn't overstay it's welcome.

Singer's voice and style remind me slightly of Nick Cave, though this album is really quite boring both in terms of instrumentals and lyrics. Not much variety in the vocals either, each songs feels like the same song. 1.5

A short album you say?….

Pop orquestal. Ni fu ni fa.

Pop orquestal. Ni fu ni fa.

5, Of course. Canciones: Everybody Knows (except you)

Drek.

competente. aburrido. cantante narciso.

I found this difficult to pay attention to.

Fuckin yuck

this was alright, but i can't help but feel sad it isn't the national express 7 times.

Too long

Complete garbage. At least it was short

Not even funny, just toxic. And a symphonic orchestra cannot save lackluster music. This makes me lose hope for humanity.

Wow, those are some bad lyrics.

4 Good shit Hard choice

Almost felt like I was listening to a musical.

I feel like this was pretty good, but just didn't make enough of an impression

Musically I didn't mind this, but listening to the lyrics I got some weird stalkery vibes and that took away from it.

it was good but it dont really catched my attention to be honest

This is pop? The Wikipedia entry has to be wrong. This is painfully slow. The guy has a good voice, but it really isn't clicking with me. The biggest saving grace is that this is only 31 minutes long. There really isn't anything musically wrong with it; I am just not enjoying any of the songs on this album A high 2/5

Could not find any joy with this one.

gran disco

I don’t think I’ve heard of The Divine Comedy before. The name makes me expect comedy music for obvious reasons, but I can’t see something like that being considered an essential album. Let’s listen and find out! Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Everybody Knows (Except You), If I Were You (I’d Be Through With Me) This album was wonderful. Apple Music says it’s pop, but that’s far too reductive for this. It’s symphonic with crooning vocals, but I wouldn’t know what to categorise this music as. What I can say is that it sounds fantastic, there is the running theme of love and self deprecation, and it is a fairly quick listen at just over half an hour. I liked this a lot and would definitely recommend you give it a try.

3.5/5. Pretty good. I've heard of The Divine Comedy before, but this is my first time listening to them. The voice sounds a little similar to Jim Morrison, which I found interesting. Overall, a pretty tame but enjoyable album for a morning.

The instrumentals feel way too lush and extravagent for how simple the lyrics are. It is also at times much too soapy and just focused on showing love without any details at all. 4/10

Nice but sooo boring

Boring. I even liked the beginning, but the further I go the worse it gets. Thank you, next.

These songs sound like they belong in a musical stage show - sort of chanson. Not unpleasant, but not to my taste.

Very orchestral, feels very much like a broadway show. Sticking to one topic, especially one as broad and nebulous as "love", does get saccharine after a while. Favorite track: "I'm All You Need"

Something nice about it. 3/5

This was like a parody of… something bad.

hmmmm. not to sure on this one yet. 2.5

Not really my type of album.

I really gave it a fair shake. I might just not possess the correct mentals.

why are all the reviews for this on this website so bad this album slaps. He does go on about the horses though

Grand, compelling and at the same time intimate, this album took me a few listens to get into. But the evening listen on the couch with a glass of wine caught the right mood.

liked

Decent production, good ideas, middling execution, giving it a 3, since I wouldn't be as hard as it seems some others are.

Has some clever songwriting and some moderately catchy tunes.

not the worst thing ive ever heard. this will prob grow on me but for now i stick with this rating. last three tracks are highlights.

Too much speak-singing for my taste.

Not for me

Dislike the singer’s voice. Overindulgent childish lyrics.

Yeah it’s exactly what it says, I don’t love it nor do I hate it 3/5.

What a great Scott Walker album. Seriously though, they wear their influences on their sleeve don't they? I enjoyed it for all it's bombastic pop glory. Some very interesting tunes for a post Britpop world.

Kinda somber and smooth. 3.5

Yawn.

This one was completely new to me. There are definitely some catchy moments on there, although some of the chamber pop sound was a bit over the top for my taste. Overall, not a bad album and possibly one that would grow on me over time.

Has some really good moments and also cringe moments

this was, indeed, a short album

Valiant effort to recreate sounds of the past (i.e. soaring orchestral ballads of the likes of Sinatra and others) by modern means. The singer even has quite a potent baritone. But somehow the songs themselves are not really there, and without excellent songs, the project falls somewhat flat. Well, it was worth a shot. 3/5

AJ: I like the album title. Strings and horns sounded good. This mostly sucked. There are more than a few “what the fuck did he just say!?” lyrics. Some had me questioning if it was some botched attempt at a comedy album. I don’t get it at all. Wikipedia called it “baroque pop.” Who’s fucking idea was that? I am not a happy burger. Cat: this sounds like the soundtrack from a one man off Broadway musical

Why do I feel like Zack from Love Is Blind would love this

Strange and entertaining 2.5/5

Zach has good taste in music

Epic sounds and funny lyrics. But doesent have quite THAT to make it higher then 3 stars.

Blueh, noiosi

Welcome surprise. Doesn't feel like it's from 1997, more from the older decades. I somehow really like "Timewatching", it kinda sounds a bit haunting.

More enjoyable than the other album in the list by him, not sure if there are any others or if having any of them in the list is appropriate.

Took a few songs to get into it, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. Will be a good one to keep on the shelf for winter time or a rainy day.

Short but epic. Wonderful stuff from Mr Hannon and his marvellous melody makers.

Nice, but what’s with all the horses?

He's another I can't take too but is acclaimed. 2

3.5/5. Lives up to its title at least.

I guess I kind of get it. I like the wry sarcasm of say, the Magnetic Fields more. But I might listen to this again.

Hard pass.

Not great, not bad. Chamber pop will never be something I truly enjoy.

This one caught me by surprise. Though I'd probably never load this one up again, I enjoyed it.

название обещает альбом про любовь, я получил альбом про любовь музыкально это просто крепкая троечка, но я ощутил какой-то музыкальный концепт в этом. какое-то вот это торжество и пафос в конце каждый песни. невероятная яма на предпоследней песне. этот тот редкий случай, когда идея и концепт сильно добавляют альбому.

ну не короткий альбом же)) Но вокал очень мощный + приятные музыкальные партии с оркестром небольшим Алкоальбом: говорить о любви на крыше дома, попивая дешевое вино

Название как бы сказало нам всё даже до прослушивания. Ну да, это сентиментальный альбом о любви. Ну и всё тут. Слегка скудноват по аранжировкам. В целом автор играет с ритмом, с темпом, с настроением, но как-то... ну, всё равно очень похоже друг на друга. Даже музыкально. С текстами и так всё понятно. Возможно особняком стоит отметить Timewatching, поскольку из всех 7 треков только она смогла что-то выбить из меня, на небольшую слезинку продавить. Она вся такая минорная, про влюбленность и её безвременье, какие-то страхи. Very melancholic. Послушать можно. Благо, что пластинка короткая.

3 +1 за то, что вроде проникнулся этими песенками -1 за то что подзаебался к концу. Надо было делать шорт шорт

Not feeling it, at least it's a short one.

Best Song: If... It turns out the true Divine Comedy was him making two horse-based love metaphors in a row - one about cleaning up his horse-lover's poop and the other about riding his horse-lover all night long - and deciding to lead with the poop one. Worst Song: Timewatching. Grossly theatrical melodrama. Overall: It's not terrible, but it mostly just sounds like the soundtrack to a dinner theatre show. Hopefully the food was better than the show.

unbelievable that these bozos got two albums onto the list

Catchy but too annoying. Like a very twee Sinatra

Surprisingly good Album

The best part about this was that it was the shortest album I've heard so far on this 1001 list. Good god was this a difficult listen. Crap lyrics and some of the worst singing ever - it reminded me of something who thinks they can sing like Sinatra except they're a 2 time divorcee doing karaoke at his local bar trying to pick up chicks half his age. How did this group win a record contract!? 2/10.

So, this is cheesy. This is desperate. But what a voice! I love this big crooner voice and to be honest, except for some whack lyrics about if you were a horse etc.., I sort of got sucked into the album while cooking dinner. Interesting orchestral sounds and it wasn't until the last song that I was kind of fully put off by the cheese.

Haters rejoice, something everyone can agree is terrible and out of place. If this guy and Ute Lemper got together and had a baby the world would explode.

At least it was actually short. Couldn't take another \"69 Love Songs.\"

Blessedly short. not my thing.

The veiling for this album is tolerable. I have major problems with the vocals.

A Morrissey look-alike, not bad though

If Jim Morrison, Elton John and David Bowie had a baby. Took a while to get into, but it’s actually good. Weird good.

Neil Hannon’s wry lyrics and orchestral take on pop add something a bit different to the 1001, so fair enough that The Divine Comedy comedy are represented, but at that same time I didn’t feel I was listening to a particularly remarkable album. I enjoyed the first couple of tracks (and any time the music was a bit more sprightly or rousing) but on the whole I didn’t really connect with it. 2.5

Pure raw grunge

Reading Stevie's review informing me there are no other James Brown albums on this list at the same time that I start listening to this one is not a good combo. In fact, it's a recipe for disaster. I don't think I would have given them even 3 stars but I sure as hell won't be now. This wasn't a great album and I found it boring, and now wanting compared to a JB album.

Dunce of an album. Bland, boring, forgettable. The spiritual successor to that really lame baroque pop Scott Walker album that I couldn't stand. It's an unearned attempt to make a Frank Sinatra's "My Way" seven times in a row. Never heard of this group (or guy, if it's a Tame Impala situation), but I certainly don't think I was missing much. British bias to the maximum degree here, replace this shite with a James Brown album ASAP. Soundtrack of a man refusing to die. Favorite tracks: If... Album art: Based on this cover/title, I had high expectations. It looks cool and mysterious, and it suggests an inspired concept. The music is just so lame. 1/5

Not really for me

This is a self indulgent production.

What a lovely album... shades of 60s and Blur and Pulp. Will give TDC more time for sure

A cross between Belle and Sebastian and Magnetic Fields. Good, not great.

Snoozefest

Never heard of this before. It's pretty gushy and over the top. This is akin to Scott Walker's early era of numerical releases (Scott, Scott 2, Scott 3, Scott 4) of baroque pop and chanson, but Walker executes it with far more conviction. It's more than fine and perfectly listenable, but I see this as second fiddle.

very good, unexpected gem. kind of a mellow sound.

I enjoyed this. Unique pop music and the singer was also good.

Trop d’amour

I've got to admit, I didn't really "get" it. Was it a satirical album? Was it meant to be funny? I enjoyed some of the tunes, but the fact it was so short as well made it feel a half-arsed attempt at an album. Certainly not in the top albums to listen to before I die!!!

Comedy or not, comedibly bad from my perspective

Didn't vibe with this one whatsoever. It was just mind-numbingly boring and I ended up tuning most of it out as background noise. It was a late 90s album trying to sound "retro", I guess? It calls back to mid-century easy listening albums, and I think it still kind of fails at that. It's like if a PT Cruiser was an album. The orchestral aspects of this were pretty neat for a bit, but it didn't save it for me. At least this was true to its name: it was indeed short. Favourite: In Pursuit of Happiness

Certainly very short - about 30 minutes - but also very good. Neil Hannon is a great singer and lyricist, with a slightly skewed perspective on the world. Wonderful, if perhaps a bit one paced and similar sounding. I really liked it

Listened to on 2/8/23 3.5/5 Favorite song: timewatching I didn’t like this album the first time I listened but the more I did the storytelling got even better

It’s sort of histrionic and the lyrics are a bit silly but I got into the proto-elo vibe

It's a nice album. Kind of surprising that it made the list, to be honest, because it doesn't seem to be *that* highly regarded, in the grand scheme of music history. But the writing is often clever, and the melodies are pleasant, if teetering on the edge of saccharine. The lyric "if you were a horse, I'd clean the crap out of your stable" got a laugh out of me, though. That's true romance.

Very operatic, but with a good blend of rock in there

Very unique album, and I enjoyed it. Using an orchestra in this setting really enhances an album when used correctly, and they did. Favorite track: Someone

Suave

God, I really wanted to like this. But I just found it extremely dull.

so awful and terrible it was like hearing the only straight man in your high school theatre department wax poetic about his horrid love life. God I wish I could give it a 0/10

Did I want to like this more or less than I did? I can say with more certainty that I didn't listen closely enough: The Divine Comedy continues not to get their due from yours truly.

Another exciting and wonderful surprise in a shape of a band, The Divine Comedy, thatcI have never heard of! From the first song onwards, this album was full of baroque splendor and glamour, orchestral motives and actually great singing by the main guy in the band, Neil Hannon. I never knew this, but he was a composer that recorded music for IT Crowd and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. This album let me appreciate him even more. Basically every song on the record is a hit, or at least a single worthy track. I am certainly adding almost whole album to my everyday playlist. Great job Neil, easily 5 stars.

Neil Hannon probably thinks he is very clever. That can be annoying sometimes. Here's the thing: like it or not, Neil Hannon is in fact very clever. Composition, arrangements, lyrics. And singing. It's all on point and creative. It's great

A less clever but more polished Magnetic Fields type thing. Couple of funny lines. Not bad.

Just lovely, and exactly what it says it is. (The 2020 extended version has some noteworthy material but it makes it a not short album about love and that gets to my nerves)

Short Album, but i only like it as a friend

2 albums from this guy? Why? Good thing this dropped on holidays so I had an excuse to skip this and just rest. I don't think I can handle two days of this self-important boy. Anyway, "A Short Album About Love" is indeed a short album about love. That's it.

Never been a huge fan of the divine comedy and that speaky singy kinda thing. Some amusing lyrics and I knew the single from the album so was sing-along-able. Probably wouldn’t listen again.

Wow, I was not expecting this! How is this from the 90s? Let alone considered pop? Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, but this never what I would picture if you said that. The voice is absolutely magnificent, and the orchestral backing is gorgeous. Are some of the lyrics a little cheesy? Sure, but I don't care, it sounds amazing, and while this isn't technically an "album", so maybe it shouldn't be on this list, but I'm so glad it is. Fantastic. Reminds me a lot of Nick Cave.

Listened Before? N Ugh... MEH. Another slow, droning, europop album. Listen guys, it doesn't rain all the time in the rest of the world. Do some coke or something, lets GO. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Everybody Knows (except you)

Je vois les références cinématographiques et rétro, le lien avec l'Italie même avec le nom du groupe. C'est intéressant, mais je trouve souvent que c'est chargé.

Generally liked it, nothing too outstanding for me

I like the usage of brass, but together with the strings, lyrics and voice I can picture this music being played in some cheesy musical.

Nice little ironic baroque pop album.

Never heard of this before but pretty pleasantly surprised, really like the vibe and the orchestral bits really add something

I loved some of the instrumental parts but a lot of parts were a bit... cheesy?

It's a decent listen. They set a nice mood but its a tad overdramatic at times. The lyrics are also a bit hit and miss. Good, not great

Not my thing really, but it definitely has a vibe that I could see folks enjoying and it's well put together.

honestly… i loved this album. usually this type of music (theatrey) is something i am SO against, but i kind of ignored the lyrics and just listened to the music and the trumpets made it sound so happy and it was just really fun.

I always appreciate and often love well-crafted melodic pop music, and this seems to qualify. Yet sadly after 32 minutes I'm left with not much I remember, which is frustrating. The vocals are occasionally slightly off-putting; a bit musical theater-ish maybe, but not enough to derail it on its own... as for the music, there's almost too much polish, too much that's evened out here - i.e. I can think of nothing that sticks out either instrumentally, or a creative bridge, chord progression, hook, vocal.... it just sort of washes over you in a (pleasant, to be sure) hurry and after the half-hour I'm left with "wait, what did I just listen to again?" 5/10 2 stars.

I’m impressed that this album managed to annoy me within the first 30 seconds. It was totally over-orchestrated , the background piano line on the first song being emblematic of that. Lyrically, it tries to walk this weird line between ironic-over-the-top and genuine earnestness, and ends up just making me cringe. Not only that, I found that I could predict the next rhyme before it came. The only positive thing I’ll say is that the vocal performance is pretty decent. 3/10, disappointing bc I actually remember liking Casanova

5/10. Why would a frog get me down? And why do these guys get multiple albums? At least it was short and had that creepy song about wishing a girl was a horse so he could ride her.

Oooooo I wanna punch this guy in the teeth. 3/10

Le titre disait vrai

pas inécoutable en revanche c'est les pires chansons d'amour que j'ai pu entendre

I don't have time for this winky-ass shit post of an album. Mercifully short, though it seemed long.

Oh no, not again. First time I ran across this fucker on the list I was too nice and gave him a 2. We'll, today you're getting a 1 my man. Not because it's an entirely unlistenable monstrosity - that would be much more interesting - no, it's because it is an emotionally disingenuous piece of mediocre melodrama. Just shameless watered down Scott Walker. And, and, and... It simply does not belong on the list. Just look at the skeletal Wikipedia entry for this one, it tells you everything you need to know: nobody gives a shit. This had goddamn well better be the last time we meet here Divine Comedy. The fact that you are taking up 2 spaces on this list, while Neutral Milk Hotel doesn't even get one, is preposterous.

I definitely don't like this. It all sounds like it should be a soundtrack to a very bad romantic comedy play and somehow they got Scott Walker to sing. It's definitely not "bad" objectively but it's definitely anything I want to listen to, sorry fans.

Meh - wasn’t for me - voice grated on me and nothing about the song structure gripped me. Production fairly crappy too

If... is the weirdest song I've ever heard in my life holy shit Somehow managed to be creepier than Dante's Divine Comedy. I'll stick to that next time, thanks.

A great listen throughout. Highly recommend it

Easy-listening but not something I like much

Music isn't bad, but the vocals aren't great, and the lyrics are terrible.

There should be more short albums about things. As the title suggests, this is a sweet, shot and idiosyncratically romantic chamber pop record. It's not subtle, but it's really good. The lyrics are direct, full of imagery and amusingly truthful all at once. In all literature, music or art I'm not sure anyone has ever described the devotion of being in love better than 'If': "if you were a horse, I'd clean the crap out of your stable, and never once complain, if you were a horse, I could ride you through the fields at dawn, through the day until the day was gone"? Rating: 4/5 Playlist track: Everybody Knows (except you) Date listened: 30/10/22

Kinda goofy, but I like his voice

Just what I’ve been looking for. Thank you.

Sounds like a dramatic opera. It's dramatic and the orchestra is swayed by the emotions of the vocalist, which can range from groovy to chaotic. It's consistent, and the songs are alright, but they all somewhat sound the same, and only one song stuck out to me. Not sure how you could screw that up with just 7 songs. Maybe if I watched more ballets I'd appreciate it more. Dude loves comparing his lover to animals. Favorites: Someone

I had not heard this before. This album is strange and interesting and I could imagine it might grow on me over time. The production and musicianship is excellent despite it being recorded live. I'm not completely converted by the high theatrical sound and humorous lyrics but definitely intrigued ...3/5 for intrigue

Så mysigt!

Short and sweet. Playful, unpredictable, tender, with great melodies. I definitely need to listen to some more 'The Divine Comedy!

I actually wasn’t that keen on this after the first listen. I somehow didn’t know what I was going into and simply wasn’t ready. But I had a feeling that I was missing something. So I gave it another listen. And BANG. There it was. I was totally blown back the second time around. The grandiose orchestration, the wonderful songwriting and Hannon’s raw and honest emotions. Especially the four songs starting with “Everybody Knows (Expect You)” and concluding with “If I Were You…” stands out as phenomenal. How have I wasted 25 years not listening to this sooner?

Wasn't short, didn't feel the love, nor did I get the humor 1 because it was music

3 Very moody and dark. At first I couldn’t get into the vocals but by the end I was pretty sold. This group seems like they know when to let the music rest in order to earn a catharsis, or in some cases an anti-catharsis. Oldies sound with a the aggression and malignancy that came along with the 90s. Didn’t blow me away but I think I might look into them more when I want a change of pace.

1.5 So, his schtick is he does a poppier, strings-heavier take on Sinatra? But coupled with some of the worst lyrics I've ever heard? "If you were a horse I'd clean the crap out of your stable And never once complain" What? Apparently there's room for filler in a list of 1001 greatest albums of all-time. This album is musically mediocre and lyrically painful, and I'm really not sure why this is something I "must hear before I die". On to the next one.

From “If…” If you were a horse I'd clean the crap out of your stable And never once complain We got ourselves a real Bill Shakespeare over here.

Genuinely brilliant and right up my alley. One of my best new finds from this 1001 Albums list.

Someone's a stalker. Even if this is supposed to be camp or something of a spoof, it still comes across as creepy.

Kinda like The Magnetic Fields doing Scott Walker. This SHOULD be up my alley!

Non conoscevo affatto questa band. Una scoperta interessante. Inoltre è un disco abbastanza breve e le canzoni parlano d’amore, quindi a livello di marketing mi sembrano onesti.

Pop sinfónico. Lento. Aburrido

Expecting something 'avant-guarde' but it was just a collection of old fashioned love songs. It gets one extra star for having the most literaly truthful title of any album I know.

Its okay i guess. 3

Nice album. I like Everybody Knows and If I Were You.

Percebe-se uma qualidade na execução do pop, mas incomoda a percepção da tentativa de soar como Nick Cave.

I could never get into The Divine Comedy. Dramatic overwrought sadboy britpop is better served with more archness, as shown by Messrs Cocker and Gedge.

Unexpectedly chill.

An old favourite!

Really pretty chamber pop arrangements. Lyrically it's a bit trite but it's bearable.

I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I was going to

Great instrumentation and vocals. Probably the best chamber pop album I've heard yet

yeah idk tbh, dece sunday tho

Reminiscient of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Not my thing, but worth a listen.

bello allegro, un filo ironico credo.

Не то

A very nice album indeed with very precise & carefully-chosen lyrics.

I can hear how good he is but I'm just not too into crooning or whatever the right term is for this style of music.

So this is what Chamber Pop is? I have to admit, i don't dislike it and the more I listened the more I was interested and drawn in. Didn't know this existed and glad I had a listen. ***1/2

This band is not good

There were some things I liked about this. Some of the instrumentation and the humor especially, but I didn't care for the singing style - that sort of dramatic, over-the-top, broadway type of singing. 3 stars.

I've a grudging respect for Divine Comedy. Their overplayed cleverness, catchy lyrics, odd orchestral sounds. But I can't work out - who is now annoying - Neil Hannon or Divine Comedy fans?

I can only take Neil Hannon's idiosyncratic, Scott-Walker-lite vocal style in small doses. But I really enjoyed the big, sweeping sound. This sounds like some long lost orchestral pop gem out of the 60s. Fave Songs: I'm All You Need, Timewatching, Someone, Everybody Knows (Except You), In Pursuit of Happiness

Not something I’d ever listen to outside this project, but it did enjoy it!

Why?

This music is fine but I'm failing to see why I need to listen to this mediocre cocktail lounge music before I die (let alone TWO albums now) or what great musical impact this artist had

This album started off pretty good. I did enjoy the first 2 songs and then it kinda went off the rails. If... was way just weird and then it was downhill from there until the last song. I did enjoy parts of that but then he had to go and make the lyrics weird. Not something I need to come back to and not one I feel like I needed to listen to. Nothing from The Divine Comedy belongs on this list and nobody can convince me otherwise.

This album seems like something my grandmother would like - May she Rest In Peace. It’s croon-y with instrumentation from the 40s. I don’t hate it but I don’t need it in my life.

I don't know if it's because I listened to this after Iggy Pop, but I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Humor was dry, but good at times.

If you were my dog, I'd feed you scraps from off the table.

Musically interesting, I suppose, but lyrically silly. Not for me.

What a bunch of nonsense. I thought that this was satirical halfway through the first listen as this was just too ridiculously bad. On the second listen it was pretty unbearable hearing how dumb the lyrics were. There are some albums that may make sense being on this list even though they aren’t the most enjoyable. This one did not seem to have any importance. 1.8/10

Brel-liant. More obsessed with horses than I remember.

3.5 - A cheeky British trifle with clever lyrics, tight orchestral arrangements and baritone crooning. Fun and frivolous.

If you’re gonna try to be Sinatra, can you at least try to have an ounce of charm?

I don't think I really understand this at all. I've never heard of this guy before and listening to this album, I am confused. It's got a lot of show tunes Broadway kind of influence in it with having an orchestra, but without the grandeur and drama of full show tunes. It's making me cringe and I am not enjoying it. Who are the Divine Comedy fans?? Is it like middle aged mothers? I do not understand. Ok now I see he wrote theme songs for IT crowd and Father Ted which is pretty cool and also makes a lot of sense. Maybe this music does only make sense as a soundtrack to me.

There's certain Divine Comedy I really enjoy, but this just wasn't it. I found this one just a touch *too* cheesy. Part of me really likes the OTT grandeurs of it all, but I found some of this just a bit much and soppy. There's a very weird one about his lover being all kinds of animals which was just funny

Not bad but just not something I'd normally like to listen to. People love the Divine Comedy but I kind of just don't get it. I don't think it's bad by a long way but just doesn't seem that good.

way too over-dramatic

This album has so much potential but ultimately suffers in its execution. I’m a big fan of chamber/symphonic pop but was disappointed with this album. First of all, the lyrics are melodramatic to the point of being over earnest drivel. The vocal delivery is somewhere between Jim Morrison and Frank Sinatra which is a cool sound, but paired with the often obsessive lyrics of unreturned love, they come off as incredibly cheesy. All meaning here feels forced and for me it just doesn’t work. It gets a three for the musical execution and the grandiosity of its vision, but it is closer to a 2.5

It's like a movie soundtrack. Certiainly atmospheric. Fave: If...

Why include this Neil Hannon project, and not the cricket-themed concept album side project "The Duckworth Lewis Method"? That would really get the commenters foaming at the mouth about the UK-centric bias! 😆 Anyway, this is a perfectly pleasant listen - I got a Frank Sinatra album picked the next day, which makes for a nice contrast... Fave track - "Everybody Knows (Except You)"

Huh; this was very strange, but I kind of liked it. If Henry Mancini ever went through a post-punk phase it seems like it would sound like this.

I didn't care for this at all. initially, I thought it was maybe going to be something like Belle and Sebastian, but it just was nothing in the end. 2/5

Really enjoyed the bombastic melodrama of the first track, but then it kinda fell off a cliff for me with the second track. Some of these tracks are pretty good, others horrendously sugary sweet love songs that made me vom a little in my mouth.

I wasn’t expecting much from this one, but I kind of loved it! Very pretty throughout, and I like how his voice added a little bit of edge to offset the sugary sweet coating. This might be my favorite week here ever. B

Never heard of this before today. This is weird. Sometimes this reminds me of Beck’s Mutations (an album I really love) and at others more showtimes-y, almost FJM kinda stuff. Unfortunately the swings in energy and style don’t compare to those aforementioned artists, and thus ASAAL comes off very one-dimensional. I imagine this album was a bigger novelty at its time, but I can’t help but feel like I’m missing something here because this sounds pretty middling to me. 2

2.5

boring shet