Cool, thanks :)
No rush.

The Divine Comedy - Casanova


1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?
Humorous, upbeat, storytelling pop.

2. What did you think of the opening track?
It was OK but nothing great.

3. What did you think of the next track?
Didn't like it as much as the first track.

4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions?
At first I thought he was OK but as the album progressed, he really started to grate on my ears.

5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not?
I thought the music was interesting but nothing stuck with me or gave me the urge to want to replay any of the songs.

6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it?
It went back and forth between somewhat interesting to somewhat tedious.

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?
It was mildly amusing in spots but overall it sounded too contrived for my taste. The lyrics sounded like the writer was trying too hard to be clever and witty and as a result the humor sounded forced and too planned rather than spontaneous.

8. Did you like the instrumental parts?
The musicianship was excellent but nothing about it really stuck in my mind.

9. What did you think of the production?
The production sounded top-notch.

10. Did you know of this artiste prior to listening to the album, and if so, did that foreknowledge colour your perception of this album?
I'd heard of the name but not any of the music.

11. Is this, generally, the kind of music you listen to or not?
No. Too Broadway/theatrical for my taste.

12. Assuming you listened to the album more than once, on repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?
I listened twice. My opinion didn't change one way or the other after the second listen.

13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one?
No favorite.

14. And the one you liked least?
Nothing stood out as being particularly awful.

15. If the album in question is a debut, did that fact allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated?
N/A

16. Are you now looking forward to hearing more from this artiste, if you have not heard any of their other material?
See answer to number 11.

17. Were you surprised by your reaction - positive or negative - to the album?
Didn't know what to expect, so no.

18. Did the album end well?
The theme of the last track was death, so maybe not?

19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?
Maybe a different vocalist, different lyrics, less Broadway vibe?

20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?
Despite the fact that it didn't do much for me, I thought it hung together very well.

5/10

The Divine Comedy - Casanova

I'll preface this review by saying: don't take this personally Trollheart. I do like you as a person. But I can't stand this album.

There must be something I'm missing - this surely can't be as bad as it sounds. Plenty of reviewers on RYM seem to consider this a work of genius. I admire the guy's ambition, playing all the drum, guitar and bass parts as well as the singing and songwriting. But there's a reason people specialise - It's so they can become good at something. The instrumentation just seems barely adequate and the composition feels like a string of pop clichés. His lyric writing and singing are better, but not enough to save this for me.
2/10

I suspect that I would like it better if he had hired a bunch of musicians, just so the individual parts of the songs would have had a bit more flair to them. The strings, bass and drums especially could really benefit from some more character.

Those **** songs couldn't be saved with a life raft.

The Divine Comedy - Casanova

I think there's a great songwriting talent behind this album, and there are even some great performances. However, the production of this album and the arrangements are mostly just completely atrocious. I think this album is probably a genuine effort and not an attempt to generate a lot of cash, mainly due to the fact that this type of music wouldn't even be popular when this album came out, but sadly the production is such that the whole album is glossed over with this lame feel that makes the whole album seem contrived.

You also just have to be into the style of music as well. Personally, I enjoy this album just fine. The glossy production isn't such a big deal for me, and plenty of the hooks are
Catchy As Hell™. In fact, the production is a bit of a novelty if you're coming at it from the right angle. I think there's enough good about this album to make up for many of the flaws.

7/10

In my list of favorite to least albums of all time:

Teenage Jesus and the Jerks - Everything
The Divine Comedy - Casanova
Aerosmith - Toys in the Attic

You think this album is better than Toys in the Attic?

Let's be honest. Aerosmith is a trashy band. They make singles, not albums. Toys in the Attic is their best effort. That said, yes.

1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?
n/a
2. What did you think of the opening track?
It was a bit naff, to be honest.
3. What did you think of the next track?
Oh dear. Sorry TH but I might have to skip some of these tracks.
4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions? (see note 1)
He's just boring.
5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not? (see note 2)
It's bland but not offensive.
6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?
Only listened once.
7. What did you think of the lyrical content?
Some guy saying stuff trying to sound clever.
8. Did you like the instrumental parts? (see note 3)
Skipped instrumental parts.
9. What did you think of the production?
Think the album came across exactly how he wanted.
10. Did you know of this artiste prior to listening to the album, and if so, did that foreknowledge colour your perception of this album?
Listened to some of their stuff before. No memory.
11. Is this, generally, the kind of music you listen to or not?
Nope.
12. Assuming you listened to the album more than once, on repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?
n/a

13. What would you class as your favourite track(s), if you have any?
Songs of Love, because I was trying to figure out where I had heard that bit of music. It's Father Ted, and I now understand why TH likes the album.
14. And the one(s) you liked least?
Charge and most of them.
15. If the album in question is a debut, did that fact allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated? (see note 4)
n/a
16. Are you now looking forward to hearing more from this artiste, if you have not heard any of their other material?
Nope
17. Were you surprised by your reaction - positive or negative - to the album?
Nope
18. Did the album end well?
Nope
19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?[/B]
Not being made
20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?
Very cohesive

A solid 2/10 for me.