Album Review: The Divine Comedy – Bang Goes The Knighthood
3 min read
Built on the heavy heels of Neil Hannons masterful and intellectual desire to create musical poetic musings and witty records, The Divine Comedy have recently released to a gleeful DC fan base their new record Bang Goes The Knighthood.
Topical and humorous, the album is another venture following from Neil’s ambitious rise into orchestral pop producing and multi-instrumental recordings as heard over the front man and principal leader of the packs 20 year career from records including Regeneration and 2006’s Victory For The Common Muse.
Though the band line up is ever changing the credibility of the music created by Neil has never dimmed and this record is true testament to that.
Bang Goes the Knighthood is the bands tenth outing and is one that is well worth an ear pricking, packed to the brim with wit and Neil’s self-assurance.
Down In The Street Below is a melancholic opening showcasing Neils matured and vintage, almost crooner like vocals set over a cabaret style foundation also heard in the later track Assume The Perpendicular.
The Complete Banker, a song surrounding not only the current financial recession but also predominantly the current scandalous reputation of the banker is the clear standout on the record with its direct approach to the situation followed up by the catchy, eerie chorused yet poppy and whimsical Neapolitan Girl.
At The Indie Disco is a delicate and acoustically charming break away from the singers usual style with a nice string arrangement throughout giving the track a classical filling.
“Can you write a silly song” is sung by Neil on the albums Can You Stand Upon One Leg in the albums token track of what sounds more like a bands cheeky practice improvisations than a structured pop track. It also provides more than a chuckle with an impressive fawlcetto note held ending.
Literary wittiness mixed with a gin and piano inspired, orchestral pop/cabaret record is what is found throughout Bang Goes The Knighthood and although I wouldnt find myself coming back to the record time and time again I can confidently and proudly say it’s a refreshing step away from the commercial music we are force fed every day and in its own way, more thought provoking.
To give it further credit the music the band produces sounds very complex and there is something about that that makes you appreciate it more that your common pop tracks and Bang Goes The Knighthood is evident of that in a self confessional way.
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