Absent Friends
Encyclopedia
Absent Friends is the eighth studio album by The Divine Comedy
. It was released by Parlophone
in the UK on 29 March 2004 and by Nettwerk
in the US on 4 May 2004. Two singles were released from the album in the UK: "Come Home Billy Bird", which features former Kenickie
vocalist Lauren Laverne
(now a BBC 6 Music
DJ) 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. He 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.
The Divine Comedy (band)
The Divine Comedy are a chamber pop band from Ireland, fronted by Neil Hannon. Formed in 1989, Hannon has been the only constant member of the group, playing, in some instances, all of the non-orchestral instrumentation bar drums. To date, ten studio albums have been released under the Divine...
. It was released by Parlophone
Parlophone
Parlophone is a record label that was founded in Germany in 1896 by the Carl Lindström Company as Parlophon. The British branch was formed in 1923 as "Parlophone" which developed a reputation in the 1920s as a leading jazz label. It was acquired in 1927 by the Columbia Graphophone Company which...
in the UK on 29 March 2004 and by Nettwerk
Nettwerk
The Nettwerk Music Group is the umbrella company for Nettwerk Management, Nettwerk Records, Nettwerk One Publishing, Nutone Records, and Artwerk. With over 150 employees, the Vancouver-based company has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Boston, Nashville, and Hamburg...
in the US on 4 May 2004. Two singles were released from the album in the UK: "Come Home Billy Bird", which features former Kenickie
Kenickie
Kenickie were a four-piece rock band from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England. The band were formed in 1994 and consisted of lead vocalist, guitarist and lyricist Lauren Laverne , drummer Johnny X , lead guitarist and occasional vocalist Marie du Santiago and bass guitarist Emmy-Kate Montrose...
vocalist Lauren Laverne
Lauren Laverne
Lauren Cecilia Fisher , known professionally as Lauren Laverne, is an English radio DJ, television presenter, author and singer...
(now a BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music is one of the BBC's digital radio stations, was launched on 11 March 2002 and originally codenamed Network Y. It was the first national music radio station to be launched by the BBC in 32 years....
DJ) on vocals, and the album's title track.
Neil Hannon
Neil Hannon
Neil Hannon is a Northern Irish singer and songwriter, best known as the creator and frontman of the chamber pop group The Divine Comedy. The band's official website even goes so far as to say, "The Divine Comedy is Neil Hannon," and Hannon is quoted in an interview as saying, "The Divine Comedy...
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
Regeneration (Divine Comedy album)
Regeneration is the seventh studio album by The Divine Comedy - and their first for Parlophone/EMI - released on March 12, 2001. Three singles were released from the album: "Love What You Do", "Bad Ambassador" and "Perfect Lovesong", the latter failing to make top 40.Produced by Nigel Godrich,...
. Hannon had decided to continue using the Divine Comedy name for this album. He was aided by long-time collaborator Joby Talbot
Joby Talbot
Joby Talbot is a British composer.Born in Wimbledon, London, Talbot studied composition at Royal Holloway and Bedford New College at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under Brian Elias and Simon Bainbridge....
, 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
Mayfair Studios
Mayfair Studios is a recording studio located in Primrose Hill, London, England. The studio was originally established in Mayfair, London in the 1960s thus giving the studio its name...
by Nigel Godrich
Nigel Godrich
Nigel Godrich, , is a recording engineer, record producer and musician. He is best known for his work with the English rock band Radiohead and is sometimes referred to as the "sixth member" of the band...
, who was assisted by Dan Grech-Marguerat.
Track listing
All tracks written by Neil Hannon.- "Absent Friends" – 3:40
- "Sticks & Stones" – 4:48
- "Leaving Today" – 4:18
- "Come Home Billy Bird" – 4:07
- "My Imaginary Friend" – 2:43
- "The Wreck of the Beautiful" – 4:58
- "Our Mutual Friend" – 5:58
- "The Happy Goth" – 3:36
- "Freedom Road" – 3:55
- "Laika's Theme" – 3:07
- "Charmed Life" – 4:41
Guest performers
- Lauren LaverneLauren LaverneLauren Cecilia Fisher , known professionally as Lauren Laverne, is an English radio DJ, television presenter, author and singer...
– vocals on Come Home Billy Bird - Yann TiersenYann TiersenYann Tiersen is a musician from France. His musical career is split between studio albums, collaborations and film soundtracks with a distinctive sound that is always involved...
– accordion on Sticks & Stones
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 TalbotJoby TalbotJoby Talbot is a British composer.Born in Wimbledon, London, Talbot studied composition at Royal Holloway and Bedford New College at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under Brian Elias and Simon Bainbridge....
– plucked piano on track 9