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Divine Comedy: An 'Absent' March

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? by Adie Nunn
Artists: The Divine Comedy
Words: Adie Nunn
Posted: 24 Jan '04, 17:38
The Divine Comedy release a new album, 'Absent Friends', on March 29th. It was recorded at the end of last year and has been produced and largely performed by Neil Hannon, since the old band lineup went their own ways. It's been mixed by Nigel Godrich, so it's probably going to sound bloody good, innit.

The first single, 'Come Home Billy Bird', preceeds it on March 22nd. It features guest vocals by ex-Kenickie girl and current Xfm DJ, Lauren Laverne.

Full tracklisting for the album is thus:

Absent Friends
Sticks and Stones
Leaving Today
Come Home Billy Bird
My Imaginary Friend
The Wreck Of The Beautiful
Our Mutual Friend
The Happy Goth
Freedom Road
Laika's Theme
Charmed Life

Neil had this to say about it: "Most of the songs employ stories and characters as a framework within which are discussed the loose themes of coming, going and not quite being where you want to be."

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Divine Comedy: An 'Absent' March

Hahahahahahahhahahahaha.

Coming.
crablin | 24 Jan '04, 20:21 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Divine Comedy: An 'Absent' March

just cos he said "coming"? It's like Carry On the divine comedy in here...
ImageChange | 25 Jan '04, 17:23 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Divine Comedy: An 'Absent' March

about bloody time - moving to back to Ireland and having kids takes time, but you can't live on royalties from the Tomorrows World theme tune forever.
h_cos | 25 Jan '04, 19:20 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Divine Comedy: An 'Absent' March

Thank god Nigel is only mixing it not producing it. Hes great with Radiohead obviously, but he totally sucked the soul out of the last divine comedy album...
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 26 Jan '04, 12:40 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Divine Comedy: An 'Absent' March

Thank god someone else noticed that Nigel has an amazing talent for making stuff sound lifeless. It works with the nice quiet tracks on radiohead but the DC's need to have the raw energy shining through.

The recorded live versions of the Regeneration album tracks are vastly superior to the album versions. It sounds like it was toned down so that businessmen would like it.

Mutual friend and Happy goth are both great tracks, and probably future singles.

There are loads of DC tracks used as BBC instrumentals, Summerhouse was over a long running 'not an advert honest' that the BBC had a while back.
nli10 | 27 Jan '04, 16:06 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Divine Comedy: An 'Absent' March

Very true, Alex. Adie's being a bit odd, assuming Nigel's presence will make it sound good- I was thinking just the opposite. Him and DivCom are *so* badly suited. But luckily someone in the know tells me this album sounds as if the last two never existed. Hurrah!
elmsyrup | 29 Jan '04, 08:31 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Divine Comedy: An 'Absent' March

Lighten up, everybody...
shadyadie | 29 Jan '04, 13:19 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Divine Comedy: An 'Absent' March

Bring back Kenicke! :)
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 26 Jan '04, 14:26 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Divine Comedy: An 'Absent' March

This is pretty damn exciting news.
talia | 29 Jan '04, 11:41 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Divine Comedy: An 'Absent' March

I was lucky enough to get sent a copy of this album at my radio station, I have it on now, and I can tell you guys it's going to be well worth the wait, amazing, considering I've never heard of them before this, (only just started working at the station)

If you all want to hear the single Come Home Billy Bird try tuning into KCC Live on Shoutcast on Wednesdays 10-11, and Thursdays 13-14.

DJ Chris.
Vampire
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 26 Feb '04, 00:34 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Divine Comedy: An 'Absent' March

I was lucky enough to get sent a copy of this album at my radio station, I have it on now, and I can tell you guys it's going to be well worth the wait, amazing, considering I've never heard of them before this, (only just started working at the station)

If you all want to hear the single Come Home Billy Bird try tuning into KCC Live on Shoutcast on Wednesdays 10-11, and Thursdays 13-14.

DJ Chris.
Vampire
Old_Anonymous_Comments | 26 Feb '04, 00:36 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Divine Comedy: An 'Absent' March

Do you not think, as a DJ, your musical knowledge should be a bit wider? I mean do you really have what it takes if you didn't even hear of this quite popular band before now?
elmsyrup | 24 Mar '04, 16:22 | Send note | Report this | Reply

Re: Divine Comedy: An 'Absent' March

Hey. I think your point is wel made and I'm sure Chris the dj will have learned from it....But...I've checked them out since (I know this is a ay overdue post but I've only just found it!) and I like listening to KCClive.com becuase their playout is a complete mix between Pop and totally new alternative stuff. Its like a uni station but with the comecial touch. This is because, AND THIS IS MY POINT, they are a 6th form station! meaning the CHRIS you comented too, is probably 16 years old and only jst discovering great bands like the DC.
Just thought I'd point that out. Check them out. I love them because they're TOTALLY new to the ame in general, but with a great playlist if you like a genuine balance between popular and new music.
(No i don't work for them)
P.s. Didn't see that Chris on their site, must have left last academic year or something...Check out the guys on Thursday's 2 till 4pm. Funny. Genuine new talent.
Peace
x
That was long wasn't it?
peatthebeat | 20 Oct '04, 23:48 | Send note | Report this | Reply