The Divine Comedy

by

Milla

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Milla Jovovich is a Jack (or is that Jill?) of All Trades - gorgeous model, convincing actress, and a magnificent singer - who irrefutably proves her talent in the latter profession by the release of this gem of an album. After seeing her explosive performance in `The Fifth Element,' I became curious about her and found out she also sang. However, I did not purchase this album until months later (I had not yet become a loyal customer of Amazon), when I found both `The Divine Comedy' and `The Peopletree Sessions' at a CD shop in Berkeley, California.

Unlike most people whose reviews grace this site, I did not come in with any expectations. Honestly, there were no thoughts such as, "Oh, she's a model; no way can she sing well!" Instead, I just became an impartial listener while riding in a car. After going through the entire album, I was mesmerised by the quality of the album. Stand out tracks are "Gentlemen Who Fell," "It's Your Life," and "Clock."

First and foremost, Milla's voice struck me. Names like Tori Amos and Kate Bush have come up in many reviews, and although there are similarities, I would not go so far as to declare Milla their matches. Adjectives: soaring (in a non-operatic, soul-infused manner), haunting, distinct, ethereal. Her voice invokes Enya, Sarah Brightman, and even Loreena McKennitt. The conglomeration of her commanding yet fragile voice, strong melodies, and the obvious passion with which she sings makes the album well worth any price. Every song rouses a different emotion and mood. Just one run-through will take you through the feelings of utterly creativity, depression, solitude, to reasonless joy, bliss, and giddiness. You cannot shake the thought that it is utterly non-mainstream; in fact, it is weird, unusual, brilliant, making you wonder how anyone can stand any music that isn't of this ilk. This album is the equivalent of a sorceress from the recesses of the forest, of whom you heard, from whom you've heard directly just once, but for some reason you cannot shake that voice, cannot shake the aura that surrounds Miss Milla Jovovich. Every time I see this girl (whose resemblance to Milla is quite striking), I yearn to hear this album. Thus, I always keep `The Divine Comedy' in reach.

I've heard Milla Jovovich being compared to Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, Sarah McLachlan, Jewel, Joni Mitchell and other members of the folk-guitar-Lilith fair brigade. To be fair to Milla, her album is not a disaster at all, but I do think that comparisons to the artists mentioned above are unwarranted.

I first heard this music when it first came out in 1994. Since then, every Tori Amos/Bjork-crazed fan has waxed eloquent over the beauty of 'The Divine Comedy', terming it a must-buy. I agree, since the music and rendition here are no doubt unique, but its by no means a classic. Some tracks reek of amateur production, and others seem steeped in the synthesizer syndrome of the '80s. The radio hit 'Gentlemen who fell' is pretty enough, yet its Milla's lyrical content that I respect the most. Her music is passable, but her lyrics are poetry.

I particularly enjoyed the opening number 'The Alien Song'. This is a track I always skip, yet its a poetic little piece when you read it on paper. The same goes for 'Clock' and 'Charlie', which are my favorite tracks on this CD. I recently discovered that theres an underground fan following for this album and they have a cult built around 'The Divine Comedy'. Indeed, there are some collectors who have made an obsession out of collecting everything related with this album, and believe me, there is MUCH to be collected. For example, did you know that the single 'Its your life' was released on multiple formats in more than ten countries? I didn't either, and while 'The Divine Comedy' was never a commercial success, it continues to amass a huge fan following.

My favorite track here is 'In a Glade' which was sung in Ukrainian ( and NOT Russian, as the album liner notes indicate ). Its an old folk song, but I think this track alone is Milla's finest accomplishment on record. I really respect the artist - she fought for months to have creative control on this record until SBK let her do what she wanted, and she has created an album that is both timeless and beautiful. The only problem I have is that for some reason, I cannot listen to this CD more than a few tracks at a time or it gives me a headache. The only album I can really sit through without skipping a track is 'Vespertine' by Bjork.

Milla's work on this CD is brilliant, and her followup album 'The Peopletree Sessions' (which is long out of print) was equally as good, in an underground electronica sort of way. Its a pity she isn't doing more with her musical career. I heard her with her band Plastic has Memory when they first came out, and they were brilliant! Since they disbanded, I don't know where Millas disappeared to on the musical circuit.

A few notes here : If you liked 'Gentlemen who Fell', do try and get your hands on the CD-Single which contains an acoustic version of the song thats far more affecting than the original. I have also been informed that 'The Divine Comedy' is now OFFICIALLY out of print ! We've guessed all along that this would someday happen since SBK decided to close the book on the album, but this is a crying shame! The world needs to be able to access 'The Divine Comedy' as freely as it could before. I lament that this cult hit will now become even more hard-to-find. So if you have a head, try to get your hands on it as soon as possible as by June 2002, all available retail copies will be sold out! Just a word of advice there!

Highly recommended. Stands on its own as a brilliant, other-worldly folk album.