.

Duckworth Lewis Method, is great fun

aka the Father Ted theme was a lovely tune, in both sung and instrumental forms. Something for the Weekend, Becoming More Like Alfie and The Frog Princess were great pop songs imho, although I will admit the Leslie Phillips act grated after a while...

Err, no, hang on. They didn't have style either.

that the Divine Comedy are underrated if anything. Try this wonderful song for starters:

Witty lyrics, well crafted melodies & orchestration. A fine voice. An island of intelligent pop amid the boorish onslaught of Britpop. Some superb songs on every album.
Standout records: Promenade, Cassanova, Regeneration.
Neil Hannon is one of the best writers of recent times. He also penned the theme for Father Ted, enough said?
Not everyone's cup of tea, sure. But very stylish & very substantial. They deserve some coverage in The Word.

can I be your friend?
I detest Mr. Coconut Head and all his works so much I really wish he didn't exist.

as to the original Q?
Evanessence ~ is it Goth, is it Prog, is it Metal, is it Shite? - YES!
you're trying too hard dear NEXT!

Elbow, if you ask me. Just saying...

Another Divine Comedy fan here. I first saw them about 15 years ago, fairly early in their career (supporting Tori Amos), and I liked them straight away. In addition to the songs already mentioned, I'd warmly commend The Summerhouse, Charmed Life, Come Home Billy Budd, hell, numerous others. You don't have to look far behind the image to see (and hear) a serious talent. Here's a live version of Summerhouse, a bit ragged, but you can still discern a bloody good song I think.

Jarvis Cocker and Pulp, obv.

The Divine Comedy wrote some classy, witty, intelligent songs.

I love 'em.

The forthcoming issue contains precisely zero features on The Divine Comedy. It does, however, contain a particularly fine piece on The Duckworth Lewis Method, whose album is brilliant... and I say this as someone who's never really liked anything Neil Hannon has done until now.

I've paid twice to see him and both times he was fantastic. Even Neil Hannon's failures are interesting, like that LP where he tried to be Radiohead and failed (thank God - the world needs more witty lyricists and less miserable buggers). Funnily enough though, I can't get very excited by the Duckworth Lewis stuff.

..I see myself and Bargepole..

..joined hand-in-hand...

Shouting.. together..

that

Anyone who, for the faintest attosecond, harbours the notion that National Express is not reasonable grounds for Neil Hannon to be dragged naked through the streets and then beaten repeatedly with rolled-up copies of the NME until he weeps solemn tears of contrition should be banned from listening to music of any kind EVER. Never mind passing comment on it.

The Duckworth Lewis album gives Hannon only a suspended sentence.

Is a thing of substance and beauty, and Graham Johns reckons Bargepole should give it a blast (hey, this third person thing is fun!). As for style over substance, Franz Ferdinand are my betes noires, closely followed by your Manics.

having risen early to make the point that another pet hate is the song 'come home billy bird'. Ridiculous and irritating at the same time.

Bobby Crush's combo led by Scott Walker's hormunculus.

The Duckworth Lewis Method is a Great listen.
Have tolerated Divine Comedy until now ... Tempted to review and promote to active listening ...

Jiggery Pokery is great pop ... esp if you are familiar with "The Ball of the Century".

I detest National Express with a passion.

I can see how they'd grate for some people, but they've done some marvellous stuff, especially A Short Album About Love.

would like the jury to examine "Something for the Weekend", m'lud.

though can appreciate how it can appear a bit twee, for want of a better word. Seen DC once live and thoroughly enjoyed it all, and felt a special conncetion with Mr Hannon when I was hit in the chest by his pint of beer, it was a MOD ish target tshirt, so good shot!

Saw DLM @ Latitude, great fun well crafted songs, and a cricket lovers delight.

A cross between Scott Walker and ELO what is there not to love ?

style and substance I think

As for DLM its one of the best albums this year

Oh for f**k's sake - it's only pop music.
I adore Radiohead, Belle & Sebastian, Divine Comedy, Pulp. It was my 20s, my vintage. They stand up with loads of other great music. But maybe it's because I'm a fey, pretentious, middle class, Southern softie... All bands are contrived. What's wrong with pretending? They've all said something to me about my life. They don't speak to some of you? Fine. Why get so uptight about it? Who breaks a butterfly on a wheel? Hardly the axis of evil are they?

Why the hatred? There is a sea of turgid lookee-likee bilge out there; it spills out of my radio, washes around my tv screen like a demented launderette washing machine, and seeps out of the walls of shops everywhere I go. Hurrah for literate, original, playful music. Boo to stage school R'n'B. Regeneration and Fin de Siecle are fine albums, and I have happy memories of my staff singing along to the backing singers on National Express using the bar code scanners as microphones behind the tills at Oddbins.