...but I *like* the old Divine Comedy... (Regeneration - Divine Comedy)

Member Name: jamescridland

Product:	Regeneration - Divine Comedy
Date:	23/03/01 (8 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A few tunes are good

Disadvantages: ...but much are rather morose

Oh.

Oh, what a shame.

You see, the thing is, I think Fin de Siecle is the finest album that Neil Hannon's done.

Yes, some of the tracks are easily skippable. But I got interested in the Divine Comedy by hearing "Commuter Love", a chilling track about a commuter's infatuation with a fellow commuter. And I heard this on a sampler CD on a packet of cereal. So I went out to buy the album.

I was really excited about Regeneration. A new record deal; loads of pre-promotion - I went out to get the album after I got the free CD in The Independent on Sunday.

And I don't like it much. The lush orchestration (Eric the Gardener) has mainly disappeared. And does he *have* to moan and wail like he does in "Note to Self"?

Much is depressing and dull. I like certain tracks - Mastermind is good, the current single's good - but where have all the clever lyrics, the interesting - and yes, smug - outlook on life, interesting music surprises - where have they all gone?

Where's a decent beat? Where's a few nice uptempo tunes? Where's the amusing lines about the size of hostesses bottoms?

Tip: Don't sit too far away from the CD remote.

Summary: