Disco de The Divine Comedy: “Fin De Siecle”

Generation Sex sets the tone for the album - one of stunning melodic beauty with bleak dark undertones.

Sweden is, I feel, a minor blemish. Its a blemish quickly forgotten, though, as the strings of Eric the Gardener sweep over... and then the trumpets proclaim the the arrival of one the tracks of the year; National Express (its a coach company for all you dear american friends). With the line "Its hard to get by when your arse is the size of a small country" empirically proven by the numerous times I've had a lady with an arse the size of Belgium barge past.

Then on, via some more sweetly delivered warnings of impending doom to a memory of past conflict. The album ends with this uplifting theme (sunrise); an autobiographical track about Neil's Northern Irish upbringing.

This album shows that Neil can write without hiding behind a sartorial sceptcal screen and is much the better for it.

Fin de siecle is a wonderful, lush, dramatic, wry and articulate album rivaling the beauteous genius of Casanova. If you love life, literature, and film, or if you have good taste without being a snob--buy this album or any of his others. Neil Hannon is a hero for our time!

"Fin de Siecle" was the last studio album that The Divine Comedy recorded for the label Setanta Records. Even though it features two of Neil Hannon's must catchy and commercial songs "Generarion Sex" and "The National Express "it is generally a rather dark and ambitious album. Big orchestra arrangements characterize a great part of the songs, which easily gives the album an overall feel of over-production. Even the album title suggests that this is not to be taken too lightly - I wonder how it is pronounced?

Personally, I prefer Neil Hannon's music when it is more simple, so my favorites are the aforementioned singles, along with "The Certainty of Chance", which both has a catchy melody and a compelling beat, and which therefore is not burdened to the same degree by the heavy arrangements which characterizes the majority of the album's tracks. "The Certainty of Chance" is perhaps the most durable track on the album.

Some tracks are for me almost impossible to get through: Especially the excessive "Eric the Garden", but also songs like "Sweden" and "Here Comes the Flood" are ones I usually skip.

give a few listens to the albums of the Divine Comedy and you cannot help but feel that no one deserves that accolade "songwriting genius" more. his talent for penning perfect tunes is without question and it's done with such charm and wit and a smug cleverness that just sinks in. if you like really great music (and have a soft spot for some of the more "guilty pleasures" of pop) then you'll find yourself in the clutches of this band and you'll never escape!

Fin de Siecle is the album that contains two of my favorite Divine Comedy songs: the great and clever opening song: "Generation Sex" and the beautiful strains of "The Certainty Of Chance." two songs that are quite opposite of each other in their lyrical content and musical mood; but show strong similarities in the fact that they are brilliantly written and performed with a flawless sense of purpose. "Commuter Love" (notice the clever Kraftwerk influence?) is another standout cut that is very moody and contains quite a dramatic rush of orchestra and electric guitar. the song is about a person who is attracted to a woman on the subway who reads "novels by french authors with loose morals." it's a bleak and rainy soundscape that matches the grey colour scheme of the album and it's photo layout. wonderful album

I have finally found a voice that matches the heart meltingly gorgeous voice of Thom Yorke, Neil Hannon- HURRAH!