10 Best Rock Bands From Ireland
7. The Divine Comedy
One of the most literate bands in modern music, The Divine Comedy is essentially frontman and writer Neil Hannon alongside whoever he’s rustled up for any given release. Hannon has a baritone croon indebted to his hero Scott Walker, a mastery of all manner of genres, and a cheeky sense of humour that makes him pretty delightful even at his most winkingly pretentious.
Their 1996 breakthrough Casanova is a great place to start, with upbeat, expansive tracks like “Becoming More Like Alfie” and meticulous, complex arrangements on closer “The Dogs And The Horses” showing Hannon’s more serious side.
They’re a great albums band, keen on a concept, like the water-themed Promenade, or the stripped back Regeneration, which sees Hannon ditch the horns and strings in favour of more straightforward guitar rock. “Bad Ambassador” from that album shows a distinct side of the band.
He’s also responsible for the theme tune from Father Ted, “Songs Of Love”, a lovely, whimsical number with or without the wry lyrics.