Neil Hannon's previous "best-of" album,
A Secret History, was issued in 1999, ten years into the career of this singer/songwriter of bittersweet chamber pop. Over two decades later, the Divine Comedy are still a going concern, with
Charmed Life now telling the whole story over the course of 24 tracks. A new song, "The Best Mistakes," is included here alongside the 1999 U.K. Top Ten single "National Express." ~ James Wilkinson