Customer Reviews

Divine Comedy

5 star:		(120)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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.

Wow, who could've guessed that Milla Jovovich was such an artistic, multi-talented individual! Not only can she model and act, she's a singer, wonderful mandolin player and composed all the lyrics of this delightful -11 track- masterpiece.

I'm not exactly sure how to categorize her sound. I think about as close as I could get would be to compare her to a medieval troubador performing at some grand yearly village gathering like the 'Feast of Fools' Festival. Maybe that's just the image I perceive because of the mandolin?

Every song is different and memorable, my favorite being -track 7- 'Bang Your Head.' An amazing and eclectic collection and a very bold musical statement by Milla to step out with something so unique and be so successful with it.

My Highest Recommendation!

I bought this album upon its release, out of utter curiosity. It is now some 5 years later and I still can not get enough of this album. It is absolutely magical, yet extremely deep and the lyrics are brutally honest. Milla has proven what a true artist she is. I have made so many people listen to this cd, the usual response is "Oh my god! That's milla!" Utter disbelief if you will. I am just hoping the true follow up will live up to this magnificant musical masterpiece (an indie electroncia diddie is not worth mentioning)...you will be captivated by her beautiful voice, haunting melodies and enchanting music.

The cover of Milla's _The Divine Comedy_ tells it all. Here we are reaching to the heavens but held down by all the demons and hurts and heartaches of life. Milla's songs are direct, personal, and heart breaking. Whether it's a song about our inability to connect with a lost love or a dead friend's suicide or the wall that we make to protect ourselves from hurt, Milla gets down to the raw essence of life and challenges her listeners to live their lives, to make decision, to reach for that higher life we yearn for. I didn't know anything about Milla when my closest friend told me about this CD. I listened and discovered a wonderful, philosophical rock artist. I've seen Milla in movies and in advertisements since that time. She never reveals so much of herself as she does in this CD. Let her beautiful songs and lyrics touch your life :)

I bought this years ago when it first came out.
I was in love with Milla at the time, so plopped my $11.00 down and got her CD. What a suprise, very listenable, takes you away to a nice place...highly recommended.

For fans of this particular album, I found a European website for Milla where you can stream this album, but it must have been the "european" version of the album because some of the arrangements/production on some of the songs are very different.
It's the same songs, but the arrangements are different, with some new lyrics, instruments, etc....

..definitely worth a listen if you know this album by heart, the difference is quite noticeable.

the website is: http://www.millanews.com/milla/millaindex.html

Milla Jonovich created her first splash is the American press for "The Divine Comedy" an album she recorded when she was sixteen. Milla had already six movie appearances on her resume. and a lucrative career as an ubermodel. It would be a mistake, however, to assume that Milla was a vacuous "looker" attempting to cash in with a couple of dance hits.

She suprised her label by fighting for and winning creative control over the "Divine Comedy". The album remains as a elegant and mature musical debut, as you'll ever hear from a sixteen year old. She even made her performance debut on the venerable Mountain Stage radio show backed by Kristin Hersh founder and guitarist of the ground breaking indie band, Throwing Muses. One wonders what Milla could have done had she gone full throttle into a musical career, instead of films.

Released in April 1994, Milla's The Divine Comedy remains one of the best kept musical secrets of the 90's. Acoustic, folky, and hard to categorize, Milla cites Kate Bush as an influence, but some of it sounds to me like music Bjork may have done had she been born in the Ukranine, instead of Iceland. Her plaintive vocals will appeal to those who like the post-Velvet "Chelsea Girl" music of Nico.

Her rich voice is coupled with seldom used instruments like the mandolin, dulcimer, and flute to create an oddly unique and airy sound. The final track, In a Glade, is a beautiful traditional Ukrainian folk song that Milla sings in her native tongue.

Her rendition of Lou Reed's "Satellite of Love" along with her stellar perfomance in Wim Wenders' movie "Million Dollar Hotel" in 2000, shows that Milla is capable of balancing both worlds in the same artistic project. She is still 28 years old and she may well suprise everyone with a second career as a successful singer and songwriter.

People who love each other sometimes have to leave each other. I had to leave the girl I loved, but the last time I had the chance to talk to her she told me to pick up the Milla CD. I did. I listened to it over and over and tried to understand what my love wanted me to hear. I faced my past. I faced my future. I faced myself. Milla taught me to laugh again, cry again, love again. Thank you, Milla. Thank you, Andromeda

When they were handing out the looks and talent, Milla somehow managed to be at the front of both lines. This album is amazing. It reminds me of Kate Bush and Tori Amos at their best, though Milla has her own unique and gorgeous voice already. Her songs bring tears to my eyes and make me happy at the same time.

Buy this CD and pray that she makes some more.

I cannot begin to tell you how relaxing and amazing this cd is. You have to listen to it. It has heavy slavic undertones with very heartfelt and meaningful lyrics.

From a musicians perspective this CD has it all. There is so much going on in every song musically that you have to listen to the tracks over and over to pick it all up. It is one of the best put together albums I have ever heard.

Definitely buy this if youre a fan of good music. Genre has nothing to do with it. Im a huge metal fan at heart but this cd is just something to relax to. something to help inspire. something to clear your mind.

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.