The album was written largely over the course of 2003, which saw the dissolution of the old D.C. line up, the birth of Neil's first child, extensive US touring & a move from London to Dublin. These events all contribut... more »ed to the general subject matter of the album & its title 'Absent Friends.' Neil says: 'Most of the songs employ stories & characters as a framework within which are discussed the loose themes of coming, going & not quite being where you want to be'. The album was produced & largely performed by Neil Hannon, recorded by Guy Massey & mixed by Nigel Godrich. Longstanding collaborator Joby Talbot contributed the orchestral arrangements. XFM DJ/indie rock goddess Lauren Laverne & French multi-instrumentalist/'Amelie' composer Yann Tiersen both guest on the album. 11 tracks. Copy Controlled. EMI. 2004.« less
The album was written largely over the course of 2003, which saw the dissolution of the old D.C. line up, the birth of Neil's first child, extensive US touring & a move from London to Dublin. These events all contributed to the general subject matter of the album & its title 'Absent Friends.' Neil says: 'Most of the songs employ stories & characters as a framework within which are discussed the loose themes of coming, going & not quite being where you want to be'. The album was produced & largely performed by Neil Hannon, recorded by Guy Massey & mixed by Nigel Godrich. Longstanding collaborator Joby Talbot contributed the orchestral arrangements. XFM DJ/indie rock goddess Lauren Laverne & French multi-instrumentalist/'Amelie' composer Yann Tiersen both guest on the album. 11 tracks. Copy Controlled. EMI. 2004.
CD Reviews
There is a special edition from France with 4 extra tracks.
Allan Cody-Rapport | Clermont, Fl United States | 04/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm not going to reiterate what was said by the previous two reviewers (I agree with them), but you may be interested to know that there is a french edition with an extra disc of four tracks (Idaho, Anthem For Bored Youth, Girl Least Likely, and All Things); it is entitled "Absent Friends Companion" - you know, like the "Casanova Companion", only all these are unreleased studio recordings. Now if you go on Amazon.com France (see the "Directory of Amazon.com stores" at the bottom of your screen) the price is about 16 Euros. When I ordered this, for some reason the price became 13 Euros and change, I added the express shipping and the total came to $36 (I don't know what the price would be if you ordered slower shipping). I ordered on a Sunday and received the discs on the following Thursday - I was bowled over! So if you're going to order this import, do yourself a favour and order the limited french edition while you're spending the money (it'll probably end up being cheaper than this $34 disc when you include shipping). If you don't care about the extra disc, then wait 'til May 4 when the domestic release comes out at around $17. By the way all the extra tracks are worthy of being included on this wonderful album. Just FYI."
Neil Hannon At His Finest...
shinjigaze | chicago, iL. | 04/21/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Many Divine Comedy fans were ambivalent towards Mr. Hannon's last CD, 'Regeneration'. The change from the humorous, 'nod-and-wink' music that comprised much of Hannon's back catalog was too radical for some. I, however, enjoyed the record on its own merits. That said, I had one reservation concerning that Nigel Godrich-produced effort: Despite its accomplished veneer, there seemed to be a 'Let It Be' weariness that permeated the songs. I was vaguely apprehensive that 'Regeneration' would be the final D.C. release. Subconsciously, I reserved final opinion on the CD until I heard some new music... 'Absent Friends' is an extraordinary achievement. The eleven songs on the CD flow into each other very well. While all the songs are beautifully rendered, I do have some particular favorites: The final track, 'Charmed Life', has one of the greatest lyrical melodies I've ever heard. 'My Imaginary Friend' is very charming. 'Leaving Today' approaches epic proportions. 'Come Home Billy Bird' shows Mr. Hannon's love of words and, along with 'The Happy Goth', a surprising lack of sarcasm for their respective subjects. But special mention should be given to 'The Wreck of the Beautiful', a hypnotic song about a ship during its final journey; the backing vocals do a remarkable job of conjuring an underwater world in which the 'Beautiful' is laid to rest. A side note: With the less-than-congenial split from long-time friends who comprised the group since 'Casanova' in mind (the complaints centered on record contracts, salaries, creative input, etc.), fans should find Neil's homage to the cover art for David Bowie's 1970 record 'The Man Who Sold The World' fascinating... Get this record!"
All Time Favorite
Mr. Hugo Falque | Paris, France | 05/09/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Try downloading Stick & Stones for instance. Listen to it, and keep in mind it's nothing but an OK track by Absent Friends' standards... It may be too early to say it, but I do believe Absent Friends will be seen in twenty years as one of the greatest albums of all time.Think about it, just how many other albums have come this close to the beauty of Pet Sounds , Forever Changes or The Queen Is Dead? It's only been released a month ago and I've already seen some people ranking it in their 25 favorites albums ever.
I was at first reluctant to buy Absent Friends because as a 20 years old Punk fan, I thought it could only appeal to older Rock fans like Air's Talkie Walkie did. But when I saw The Divine Comedy had sold out theig gig in Paris in only a couple of days, I thought I should definitly give them a try. No need to say I'm glad I did.
Let's start with the weakest track of this LP: Leaving Today. It's not very tuneful, lyrics are a bit cryptic and musically speaking there's nothing special about it.
That said, everything else is perfect. What is truly amazing is that there isn't any filler here even though the CD clocks at more than 45 minutes.
My favorite songs are "Absent Friends" , a wonderful way to start this journey, "Come Home Billy Bird" and its enchanting chorus, "The Beautiful And The Wreck", wich a french critic described as "a rocket into my heart", the excellent closer "Charmed Life", and... "The Happy Goth"!
How I smiled and joyfully laughed when I first heard this song! It is one of the very few rock songs that has lyrically really spoken to me with The Smiths' "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out", Hole's "Miss World", Liz Phair's "F**k and Run" and The Psychedelic Furs' "Pretty In Pink". I forced all my friends and my whole family to listen to this song, and they all liked it, even my 30 years old techno-fan brother!When you hear the last notes of Charmed Life, there is only one thing you can think about: Thank You , Neil. I'd like to be like you when I grow up.
Absent Friends is one of these albums you're going to spend your whole life with. It might not move many people, but it will move them deeply (that's it, I'm crying now!). Offer this one to all your friends! And don't expect to see any better album in 2004!THANK YOU SO MUCH NEIL HANNON! THANK YOU FOR MAKING SUCH BEAUTIFUL THINGS!"
Lovely. A return to familiar Divine Comedy territory
David Goodwin | Westchester, NY United States | 04/20/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I find it strange that "Absent Friends" is heralded by various editorial sources as being a "return to form." More properly, it's a return to a stylistic base (I'm one of those people who believes that Regeneration was a fun variation on a common theme). But oh how good it is! Those who're hankerin' for a return to the chamber-pop indies days of the Divine Comedy will love this release...as should, well, everyone else, ideally."Charmed Life" sets the tone; from its piano intro, it's immediately evident that the "old" Divine Comedy vibe is back. Refreshingly, Hannon has learned from his "Regeneration" experiment, and manages to meld his older style with that newer approach on some tracks. "Leaving Today" combines "Regeneration"'s moodiness and atmospheric approach with a lush, dramatic string arrangement. "Wreck of the Beautiful" continues in this tradition. Essentially, the tone retains the old Divine Comedy playfullness, but isn't afraid to indulge in introspection.The more characteristically Hannon moments are also delightful. I absolutely adore "Come Home Billy Bird," which features some of the most entertaining lyrics on the album (I've seen reviews that critique it as being "formulaic." Ehh. If it's by numbers, it's at least done very, very well). And I have a soft spot for "The Happy Goth," a song I saw Mr. Hannon play while he was opening for Ben Folds in New York a few years ago (my formative DC experience, natch). Cons? The album seems to drag somewhat near the end, and there is a distinct lack of uptempo numbers ("Billy Bird") excepted. "Laika's Theme" is pretty, but doesn't really go anywhere.Verdict? A worthy entry in the Divine Comedy canon; to experienced fans it could conceivably either sound like more of the same or a welcome return to normalcy, but I'll stand confident in my statement that I just *really, really like* the thing. It's currently only available as a pricey import (and is, I gather, probably copy-protected in much of Europe), but presumably that'll change in the upcoming weeks. If you've never heard the band before, this is a great place to dive in."
A Mature New Work from Neil Hannon
Juan Mobili | Valley Cottage, NY USA | 05/31/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I must say I'm only very familiar with "Regeneration" -his prior album-before the domestic release of this wonderful album, and I'm joyously impressed where Hannon has traveled from one album to the other. Whereas "Regeneration" was rather dramatic and bleak in its melodies and arrangements -and yet worth owning in its own right- , "Absent Friends" has managed enough of a romantic and ironic tone, at the same time, to invite listeners more successfully in.
The decision to let go of the band -whether economically driven, as reported, or not- seems to have freed Neil Hannon to pursue his musical vision to a fuller, unimpeded extent than its prior album did.
As far as I'm concerned, where Brit progressive rock was dictating the mood of "Regeneration," "Absent Friends," at times, evokes the spirit of Stephen Sondheim. I know ... this may sound wild or strange to you but listen to "Imaginary Friend" -where the melody turns to unexpected pleasurable places, without ever sounding premeditated- or "Happy Goth" which as much of an oxymoron as this title may sound, is very much that.
Actually, I could name practically every tune in the album as a personal choice, I'm that pleased and inspired by it.
Although, I believe Hannon is not done with his changes, I do think that he's hit a particular stride as a composer already which has converted me on a faithful follower of whatever he may do next.
Here's an intelligent, articulate songwriter in touch with the essence of his style, and yet there's enough of what he's gotten him fans in the past in this CD, to satisfy old and new customers."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1