Absent Friends (album)

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Absent Friends
Thedivinecomedyabsentfriends.JPG
Studio album by
The Divine Comedy
Released29 March 2004 (UK & Europe)
4 May 2004 (US)
Recorded2001–03
StudioRAK Studios, St John's Wood, London and Konk Studios, London
GenreChamber pop, alternative rock
Length45:56
LabelParlophone (UK & Europe)
Nettwerk (US)
ProducerNeil Hannon
The Divine Comedy chronology
Regeneration
(2001) 		Absent Friends
(2004) 		Victory for the Comic Muse
(2006)
Singles from Absent Friends
  1. "Come Home Billy Bird"
    Released: 22 March 2004
  2. "Absent Friends"
    Released: 14 June 2004
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic4.5/5 stars[1]
BBCfavourable[2]
The Guardian4/5 stars[3]
Mojo4/5 stars[4]
musicOMHfavourable[5]
Pitchfork Media(7.8/10)[6]
PopMattersfavourable[7]
Q3.5/5 stars[8]

Absent Friends is the eighth studio album by Irish chamber pop band the Divine Comedy, released in 2004 by Parlophone in the UK and Nettwerk in the U.S. Two singles were released from the album in the UK: "Come Home Billy Bird", which features former Kenickie vocalist Lauren Laverne on vocals, and the album's title track.

Neil Hannon was the only member of the Divine Comedy by this point, as the band had split up shortly after the release of 2001's Regeneration. Hannon had decided to continue using the Divine Comedy name for this album and was aided by long-time collaborator Joby Talbot, who arranged and conducted the orchestra.

The album was recorded at RAK Studios and Konk Studios in London by Guy Massey, with help from Raj Das and Chris Bolster. It was mixed at Mayfair Studios by Nigel Godrich, who was assisted by Dan Grech-Marguerat.

Track listing[]

All songs written by Neil Hannon.

  1. "Absent Friends" – 3:40
  2. "Sticks & Stones" – 4:48
  3. "Leaving Today" – 4:18
  4. "Come Home Billy Bird" – 4:07
  5. "My Imaginary Friend" – 2:43
  6. "The Wreck of the Beautiful" – 4:58
  7. "Our Mutual Friend" – 5:58
  8. "The Happy Goth" – 3:36
  9. "Freedom Road" – 3:55
  10. "Laika's Theme" – 3:07
  11. "Charmed Life" – 4:41

Guest performers[]

Additional players[]

  • Miggy Barradas – drums on tracks 2, 4, 8 & 11
  • Rob Farrer – percussion on tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 & 8
  • Simon Little – double bass on track 8
  • Crispin Robinson – congas on tracks 4 & 8
  • Joby Talbot – plucked piano on track 9

References[]

  1. ^ DiGravina, Tim. The Divine Comedy: Absent Friends > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Charles, Chris (16 February 2004). "Review: Absent Friends". BBC. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  3. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (26 March 2004). "Review: Absent Friends". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  4. ^ "Review: Absent Friends". Mojo: 109. April 2004.
  5. ^ Wright, Helen. "Review: Absent Friends". musicOMH. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  6. ^ Tangari, Joe (11 July 2004). "Review: Absent Friends". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 4 November 2011.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ Medsker, David (24 May 2004). "Review: Absent Friends". PopMatters. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  8. ^ "Review: Absent Friends". Q: 102. May 2004.
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