He shouldn't have. He couldn't have. If anything was certain, it was that Neil Hannon and his Divine Comedy would never sell any records.

This wasn't just random prejudice. Their debut album was so grim that it's still gathering dust in the vaults. 1993's Liberation, however, treads familiar ground - the arch smugness, the ear for a fine pop tune - and Hannon looks to be in dire need of a slap. Just like the Divine Comedy we know today, in fact. 7/10

Promenade, with hindsight, was a detour - a Michael Nyman tribute/homage/rip-off that sounds like architecture set to music. 5/10

Who's have guessed its creator was a couple of years away from comic-pop stardom?


David Kelly
Vox 10/1997