Victory For The Comic Muse - The Divine Comedy
Victory For The Comic Muse Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 19 Ratings

  • Summary: The title of this ninth Divine Comedy album for Neil Hannon echoes back to the band's debut, 'Fanfare For The Comic Muse.'
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 16
  2. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. With Hannon’s usual fair of orchestral chamber pop filling Muses’s eleven tracks, the real difference lies in his lyrical progression. [#15]
  2. 'Victory for the Comic Muse' is the Divine Comedy's finest album since their post-Britpop Chris Evans-approved heyday.
  3. Neither wholly satisfying nor wholly great.
  4. It can indeed be shunted into the drawer marked "I can't believe I used to like this band." [17 Jun 2006, p.39]

See all 16 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. CathS
    10
    This is a fantastic album, featuring songs of real character, wit and warmth.
  2. chrisw
    8
    The Divine Comedy's most mainstream record to date. Full of smart lyrics and huge chorus's, Neil Hannon has crafted another fine record full of symphonic pop and baroque flourishes. 'To Die A Virgin' is a stomping ode to sexual awakening, 'Diva Lady' a biting, tongue in cheek swipe at music primadonna's and 'Mother Dear' a strummy, summery tribute to his mother. A great cover of the Associates 'Party Fears Two' showcases Hannon's unique voice and 'Lady Of A Certain Age' is a gorgeous and clever ballad. Still not quite as good as the wonderful Cassanova but a great record nevertheless. Expand
  3. Danilio
    7
    NME magazine can indeed be shunted into the drawer marked, ' I can't believe I used to read this shit '
  4. GiorgioNo-roder
    4
    Disappointing. The lyrics are never as witty as they were before. The orchestration sounds dull and been-there-done-that. Regeneration was little appreciated but a step forward. Absent was a step back and with VIctory, it's another two steps back. And why make this album sooo short? Expand

See all 15 User Reviews