The Divine Comedy

The Divine Comedy is a Baroque Pop band founded by Neil Hannon and was formed in 1989.
Their first album Fanfare for the Common Muse released in 1990, was more on the alternative rock genre rather than the Baroque Pop genre that The Divine Comedy is known for.
It wasn't until the 1993 release Liberation and Promenade , released in 1994 is when The Divine Comedy established the Baroque Pop sound. Using instruments such as the harpsichord, a string quartet, and some woodwind instruments on the recordings.
In the late 90's, Neil Hannon would use orchestrations for his next albums Casanova and Fin de Selce. The latter used more of the wall-of-sound method ("Generation Sex", "National Express"), dark undertones ("Thrilseeker", "Here Comes the Flood"), and orchestral pieces ("Sweden", "The Certainty of Chance").
When Regeneration came-out, The Divine Comedy would steer-away from Baroque Pop. But the next album Absent Friends returned to Baroque Pop and Classical Rock as well as usage of Experimental Music, using non-rock instruments such as the accordion and banjo.
Most of The Divine Comedy's lyrics are inspired by authors, as a matter of fact, even the name The Divine Comedy came from Dante's book The Divine Comedy. Though not a true Progressive Rock band, The Divine Comedy is a great example of revival to Baroque Pop.
Category:Baroque Pop