Fin de Siecle

Arguably the most complex and charismatic of Divine Comedy's albums. The music is often intriguing whilst losing nothing of the bands accepted quirkiness.

Possibly a statement about the end of the millennium but more likely an affirmation of life, this has some stirring harmonies and beautiful pseudo classical pieces.

There is pastiche a plenty about this offering with Neil attempting German nightclub music with "Sweden" and the full chorus giving vent on "Here Comes the Flood."

It is an album full of changes in tempo and style with some thought provoking lyrics in the form of "Life on Earth", the beautiful "certainty of Chance" with its spoken poetical ending and "Sunrise" which brings hope to Neil's troubled homeland of Ireland. Understated pieces such as  "Commuter Love" also have their own appealing power.

Above all the success of Fin is that it stays fresh despite numerous plays.

OVERALL RATING: 7.127