The Divine Comedy
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Dublin, Ireland (1989 – present)
The Divine Comedy is a baroque pop band now based in Dublin, Ireland, fronted by Neil Hannon.
Neil Hannon, Originally from Derry, has been the only ever-present member of the band, being its founder in 1989 when he was joined by John McCullagh and Kevin Traynor. Their first album, the heavily R.E.M.-influenced and now-deleted Fanfare for the Comic Muse, enjoyed little success though. A couple of equally unsuccessful EPs - Timewatch (1991); Europop (1992) - were to follow, with newly-recruited member John Allen handling lead vocals on some tracks. After the commercial failure of the latter EP, this line-up soon fell apart.
Hannon, however, was not deterred in his efforts and re-appeared in 1993 with Liberation. Featuring a fairly diverse musical outlook that goes from the tongue-in-cheek synth pop of Europop(nearly unrecognisable from the previously-released version) to the classical stylings of Timewatching.
Indeed, it was only some minor success in France that really enabled Hannon to proceed to his second effort Promenade. Released in 1994, this was heavily driven by classical influences, with Michael Nyman’s stylings clearly an influence. Hannon himself acknowledged this when he apparently sent a copy of his new album to the composer, jokingly asking him not to sue. Essentially a concept album about a day spent by two lovers, it also received similar critical acclaim to that which Liberation was afforded. Commercial success, though, was not forthcoming.
Neil Hannon, Originally from Derry, has been the only ever-present member of the band, being its founder in 1989 when he was joined by John McCullagh and Kevin Traynor. Their first album, the heavily R.E.M.-influenced and now-deleted Fanfare for the Comic Muse, enjoyed little success though. A couple of equally unsuccessful EPs - Timewatch (1991); Europop (1992) - were to follow, with newly-recruited member John Allen handling lead vocals on some tracks. After the commercial failure of the latter EP, this line-up soon fell apart.
Hannon, however, was not deterred in his efforts and re-appeared in 1993 with Liberation. Featuring a fairly diverse musical outlook that goes from the tongue-in-cheek synth pop of Europop(nearly unrecognisable from the previously-released version) to the classical stylings of Timewatching.
Indeed, it was only some minor success in France that really enabled Hannon to proceed to his second effort Promenade. Released in 1994, this was heavily driven by classical influences, with Michael Nyman’s stylings clearly an influence. Hannon himself acknowledged this when he apparently sent a copy of his new album to the composer, jokingly asking him not to sue. Essentially a concept album about a day spent by two lovers, it also received similar critical acclaim to that which Liberation was afforded. Commercial success, though, was not forthcoming.
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Top Albums
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A Secret History
The Divine Comedy
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Casanova
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Absent Friends
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Victory For The Comic Muse
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Shoutbox
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Osilu wrote:
Neil Hannon along Cathy Davey, Romeo Stodart (The Magic Numbers) and Richie Egan (Jape) performing Vampire Weekend's, and I didn't know it. What a shame!
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Exiguous wrote:
I'm hooked.
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vathorniel wrote:
heey i just looked and couldn't find the Somerset house live version of Songs of Love (which was IMO a definite highlight of the show!) so had to upload my own video which is not very good quality but still worth watching http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWTw2lyuqg4 cheers!
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californiawait wrote:
babyyyyyy i'm in love with you and my love could go on and on
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rohankilljoy wrote:
Gin soaked boy <3
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lfsc25 wrote:
Can You Stand Upon One Leg?
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californiawait wrote:
I'M IN LOVE I'M IN PAIN
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jotarvr wrote:
Neil Hannon, the kind of guy that should be ruling the World.
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rtom87 wrote:
I've only heard A Short Album About Love, and I loved it. anyone knows what other albums of his are similar to that one? where to go next?
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Under_Radar_Mag wrote:
Paul Rudd interviews Neil Hannon in our new issue: http://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/under_the_radar_magazine_announces_10th_anniversary_issue_featuring_joanna_/
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impressme47 wrote:
definitely my favorite Irishman :)
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f_k_o_s wrote:
I see what you did there -.-
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Discordiosus wrote:
No matter how I try I just can’t get Neil Hannon's music out of my mind.
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Eason687 wrote:
he has an awesome voice
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XDRory wrote:
I really don't understand why he's so unknown. [2] So talented but so underrated.
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hiyome wrote:
Bang Goes The Knighthood <3
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drmishello wrote:
So wrongly tagged.
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VernianProcess wrote:
He wrote some great Baroque-Pop music, but none of it comes close to his masterpiece "The Certainty of Chance". That one really ought to be in the top songs list.
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SilentPoet82 wrote:
New season of the Irish Rock League has started. Your votes will decide the next champion!
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musiikkionelo wrote:
Neapolitan Girl is the best thing ever right now.
Videos
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Play
Beside The Railway Tracks
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Play
At The Indie Disco
2 shouts
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Play
Neil Hannon (Divine Comedy)…
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Play
Poupée de Cire, Poupée de Son…
News
Watch The Alzheimer’s Benefit Gig From 7.30pm!
3 Nov 2011 | from www.thedivinecomedy.com
Thursday 3rd November, 2011
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Alzheimer’s Society Auction: An Amazing Prize!
31 Oct 2011 | from www.thedivinecomedy.com -
Ulster Hall Gig Comp!
17 Oct 2011 | from www.thedivinecomedy.com -
Swallows And Amazons: National Tour!
10 Oct 2011 | from www.thedivinecomedy.com
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Recent Activity
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djandreia, SickDeathCity, heathenpancakes and 25 other people added The Divine Comedy to their libraries. 2 hours ago
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samy_ shared The Divine Comedy with maridu_. Saturday afternoon
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ruimatias, Hilavitan, Bromainfinita18 and 40 other people added The Divine Comedy to their libraries. Saturday afternoon
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KuriousBanana tagged The Divine Comedy with irish and baroque pop. last month
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martamhj, arno_lesaint, gone_sugaring and 13 other people added The Divine Comedy to their libraries. last month
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Affair_ tagged The Divine Comedy with alternative and britpop. last month
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Affair_ and 4 other people added The Divine Comedy to their libraries. last month
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rtms1988 wrote about The Divine Comedy – A Short Album About Love in Wed. November, 9 2011. November 2011
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rtms1988 wrote about The Divine Comedy – Casanova in Wed. November, 9 2011. November 2011
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rtms1988 wrote about The Divine Comedy – Fanfare for the Comic Muse in Wed. November, 9 2011. November 2011
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