Absent Friends [Import]

Product Description
Exclusive French limited edition of 2004 album features 15 tracks including a bonus CD with 4 rare bonus tracks, 'Idaho', 'Anthem For Bored Youth', 'Girl Least Likely' & 'All Things'. 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.' 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. Copy Controlled. EMI. 2004.

Absent Friends,Divine Comedy,Rock/Pop

Average customer rating: Battle of Britain Crank this up in your car CD player! One of the Great War-Film Scores

Battle of Britain Ron Goodwin , and William Walton Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Goodwin, Ron | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Walton | Walton, Sir William | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Battle of the Bulge: The Original Score by Benjamin Frankel The Longest Day: The Ultimate World War Movie Theme Collection Film Music of Ron Goodwin The Great Escape (Score) A Bridge Too Far: Original MGM Motion Picture Soundtrack [Enhanced CD] ASIN: B00028HBUW Release Date: 2004-06-08

Tracks:

1. Battle Of Britan Theme - Ron Goodwin
2. Ace High March - Ron Goodwin
3. The Lull Before The Storm - Ron Goodwin
4. Work And Play - Ron Goodwin
5. Death And Destruction - Ron Goodwin
6. Briefing The Luftwaffe - Ron Goodwin
7. Prelude To Battle - Ron Goodwin
8. Victory Assured - Ron Goodwin
9. Defeat - Ron Goodwin
10. Hitler's Headquarters - Ron Goodwin
11. Return To Base - Ron Goodwin
12. Threat - Ron Goodwin
13. Civilian Tragedy - Ron Goodwin
14. Offensive Build Up - Ron Goodwin
15. Attack - Ron Goodwin
16. Personal Tragedy - Ron Goodwin
17. Battle In The Air - Ron Goodwin
18. Absent Friends - Ron Goodwin
19. Battle Of Britain - End Title - Ron Goodwin
20. March Introduction/Battle Of Britian March - Sir William Walton
21. The Young Siegfrieds - Sir William Walton
22. Luftwaffe Victory - Sir William Walton
23. The Few Fight Back - Sir William Walton
24. Cat And Mouse - Sir William Walton
25. Scherzo 'Gay Berlin' - Sir William Walton
26. Dogfight - Sir William Walton
27. Scramble!/Battle In The Air - Sir William Walton
28. Finale: Battle Of Britain March - Sir William Walton

Customer Reviews:

Battle of Britain.......2007-01-23

Ron Goodwin is awesome. This Soundtrack again shows his genius of producing great stirring (military)music for an equally great film. His main title and "Aces High" march are great works of music and the other pieces are also great. Walton 's score is also really good(especially his Battle of Britain march and Battle in the Air). The two scores for the film are put together in this great Cd. A must buy for all film music lovers.

Crank this up in your car CD player!.......2005-05-03

I remember watching this film at the flicks in 1970. How quaint it is now to see real aeroplanes! Wonderful film and a superb soundtrack, especially the foot tapping "Aces High" and the one William Walton composition retained for the film "Battle in the Air" The stirring "Battle of Britain March" brings it to a great conclusion.

One of the Great War-Film Scores.......2004-06-11

Ron Goodwin is one of the most underrated film composers of his time. Single-handedly he made music for war films into something of an art form with "Where Eagles Dare," "Operation Crossbow," and especially "The Battle of Britain." His stirring main theme will always call to mind the soaring beauty of British Spitfires and Hurricanes, and the few courageous pilots who held the breach against the Nazi scourge in the summer of 1940. But equally worthy of note is his wonderful German march. Indeed, it ranks as one of the best in the genre. There was a controversy with the film that involved the music. Originally, Sir William Walton was to do the score and in fact he produced some very interesting music. In the end it was not quite what director Guy Hamilton and producer Harry Saltzman had in mind, however, and Goodwin was brought in. The current version of the film includes elements of both scores, oddly enough. Most of Goodwin's music is still there, but two elements of Walton's score are also evident ("Battle in the Air" and the "Finale"). The recent release by Varese is an updated version of the RKO CD of 1999 with new notes, artwork and updated sound. It is remarkable in that it includes both Goodwin's score (including his own "End Title" which is arguably the better ending)and the music written by Walton, as did the earlier version. This is a rare treat for film buffs. The new release is very nicely packaged with notable production values and a reasonable price.

Average customer rating: The Tenperance Seven meet Noel Coward meet Scott Walker best Divine Comedy record? Yes! *raises glass* Return to form Hannon's a grower

Absent Friends The Divine Comedy Manufacturer: Nettwerk Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Chamber Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Victory for the Comic Muse Regeneration Regeneration A Secret History The Good, the Bad & the Queen ASIN: B0001Z36PK Release Date: 2004-05-04

Tracks:

1. Absent Friends
2. Sticks & Stones
3. Leaving Today
4. Come Home Billy Bird
5. My Imaginary Friend
6. The Wreck Of The Beautiful
7. Our Mutual Friend
8. The Happy Goth
9. Freedom Road
10. Laika's Theme
11. Charmed Life

Customer Reviews:

The Tenperance Seven meet Noel Coward meet Scott Walker.......2006-01-21

This unusual CD is very much a grower, as other reviewers have rightly said and as always with growers, you end up liking the least user-friendly songs best. First, Neil Hannon's voice dominates the proceedings - stating the bleedin'obvious, you may say - but it is a most unusual voice constantly challenged and egged on by some of the equally extraordinary and original arrangements and orchestrations. As a result, Neil's offerings can no longer be called pop music or even anything like it, with such oddities as a bass bassoon in "Happy Goth", a purely string backed song in "Our mutual friend", an almost music-hall setting for "Charmed Life" and God knows what for the instrumental "Laika's theme".

Neil Hannon can really really sing, and he gets those notes: sometimes, as you may guess from the heading, the whole thing reminds me of a much more thoughtful and emotionally charged Temperance Seven, fuelled by Whispering Paul McDowell's 20s voice and Joseph Kronk's exceptional arrangements.

The obvious "quickies" are "Absent Friends" and "Come home Billy Bird", the first sounding like a mad canter through the Big Country with a cast of Neil's unlikely characters and the second a light-hearted romp about a sad middle manager waking up drunk after a Belgian businmess meetinmg and trying to catch his plane home to see son's match. Very good, almost poppy but not quite. "Happy Goth", about the lonely adolescent girl locked in her inarticulacy, costume and attitude, listening to something awful like Nirvana, is deeply affecting in its portrayal of complete communication breakdown ("that's what she would say, if she ever talked to you")- and it features the bass bassoon: knighthoods all round. I know a young girl like this and she is also lovely inside and out - but her beautiful self has almost sunk to screaming point under the loneliness and image. Desperately sad. "The Wreck of the Beautiful", Neil's frightening ghostly allegorical tale of a ship rusting to death, is just outstanding and shows a complete maturity of thought, writing, singing and arrangment - beyond all doubt one of the best two or three things he has ever produced. The same is true of "Sticks and stones" ("you and I go together, like the molar and the drill") about romantic breakdown and of "Leaving today" about Dad leaving home and all the heartache involved. Bye bye, bye bye.

"Our mutual friend", a witty story about being gazumped over a girl by the mutual friend (another refernce to Noel Coward) who introduced them, is a musical storm with the staccato strings and then a wall of emotion at the end, is great and so is "Freedom Road" which I find very chilling. It's built around one guitar clawhammer chord, except that orchestrations give it another new dimension of almost fear and a whole new chord sequence. "Laika's theme" is an odd instrumental that will not be to everbody's taste, but "Charmed Life", a genuine thanks to arriving at a happy state, includes the tribute line "Breaking up is so very hard to do" - nice touch!

I suppose that any other "band" would have had 5 stars for this very odd and deeply moving work, but Neil is such a one-off that he has to be judged agaist himself, really. Make no mistake, you will play this until the laser guide disappears and it is incredibly good, well thought out and beautifully played (just get the bass and strings on Charmed Life).

When Neil Hannon gets a universal five stars there will not really be any competition left in this field, and there's very little as it is. Worth every penny of your money and this will stick with you for life, I guess. Excellent, unique - but also unsettling and chilling at times. Music isn't always fun, gang.

best Divine Comedy record? Yes!.......2005-10-02

after the Regeneration album, i wasn't sure what to expect from this new Divine Comedy album. the band that i had initially fallen in love with, had drastically decided to change their style; going from charming and bombastic pop with a dramatic flair, to a more moody and slightly Radiohead-ish kind of sound.
i found myself beginning to like their newfound sound, but i missed the charm of the older material. now with the brilliantly titled "Absent Friends", Neil Hannon and company seems to have found the perfect balance between the charm and the mood. "Leaving Today" and "The Wreck Of The Beautiful" are some of the most achingly gorgeous melodies that have ever seen the light of day. these songs are like the kind of pop songs that Erik Satie might have written if he were a pop star. really affecting and haunting. and it's so so good to have the humor back in the lyrics. i really missed the wit in such lines like "you and i go together like the molar and the drill" from "Sticks And Stones." there are so many great and classic songs on this album that if i were to go through them all, it would just be non-stop gushing. so suffice it to say, this is my favorite Divine Comedy album and a great place to start if you're the slightest bit curious about this wonderful and irresistable band. and is it just me, or does the song "Freedom Road" sound just like another song? i cannot place it. is it a cover? hmmm..drives me crazy everytime i hear it. oh well... Absent Friends is a perfect album full of priceless orchestral moody pop songs that are truly unforgettable. listening to this, i can finally appreciate the previous album, Regeneration even more now; because it's the stepping stone to this unrivaled greatness.

*raises glass*.......2005-08-25

I'm just held by amazement that whatever Neil Hannon sets out something to do, he does it very well. He has never really failed even in a single occasion--even on the atmospheric Brit-rock of "Regeneration", which is also a wonderful album--and now he returns to the old form (as the others had said) with his latest opus, "Absent Friends".

Each of The Divine Comedy albums is touting the same basic influences (Scott Walker et al), but otherwise carrying a different style, tone, theme, and feel, and "Absent Friends" is no exception. On this album, musically it presents another totally different motif: American Western, which Neil and co. surprisingly pull off so well--conpiscuously heard on the opening title track, "Come Home Billy Bird", and "Our Mutual Friend", which boasts a full, vibrant stringwork, and the Midwestern-ish perspective of "Freedom Road", where Neil talks about life in the cross-country, with the familiar pick-up trucks and stuff. I can even hear a lot of banjoes on "My Imaginary Friend" and the charming closer "Charmed Life",--you think that they might sound out of place with the characteristic TDC style, but no... it sounds otherwise fantastic! Sometimes you can't mistake the downbeat "Regeneration" strains still lingering on such tracks as the heart-rending "Leaving Today" and the eerie "The Wreck Of The Beautiful", which pretty feels like a suicide note or something to that effect--but fascinating nevertheless (just don't play that in the dark--it creeps me out!).

Of course, what has largely inspired "Absent Friends" is Neil's family life. The lyrical cad of old has grown up and is now a dad, but his knack for writing witty lyrics hasn't tarnished a bit--in fact its ambers are still burning, so to speak. That's the usual problem of other musicians who have left their supposedly 'exciting' lives and enter marriage and parenthood, and their so-called creative matter has just begun to go downward from that moment on. But not so here. Whether Neil talks about the peculiarities of childhood ("My Imaginary Friend"), the ambiguities of adolescence ("The Happy Goth", with lyrics like "And her face is whiter than the snows of Hoth/She wears Dr. Martens and a heavy cross/ But on the inside she's a happy goth"), and moments of parenthood ("The Happy Goth" again, the catchy pop song of "Come Home Billy Bird", and the heart-tugging "Charmed Life"), he tackles them all successfully without sounding corny or small. I also like "Sticks and Stones" boasting lyrics like "You and I go together/ Like the molar and the drill/ Flesh is weak but darling we know/ That the ego's weaker still" (ooohhh!) and "Our Mutual Friend", a tale of betrayal which always makes me think it's a cross between "Something For The Weekend" and "The Frog Princess". Great stuff.

Overall, a brilliant, poignant, wonderful album which has lost none of the old Divine Comedy charm... simply, another masterpiece from Neil! And I'm still held by amazement...

Return to form.......2005-06-10

After Regeneration came out a couple years ago, people complained that he had changed his style. If fact almost everything we loved about Divine Comedy had changed. His fans were disappointed. I was too. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't what I wanted. I heard that Neil was disappointed that his fans didn't want to follow the new direction, but he also decided to return to the tried and true sound which made him famous in the first place.

This album is a return to form. He's still got it. It's got the orchestration, it's got the literary references, it's got the wit... it sounds like The Divine Comedy. It's not as good as Liberation or Casanova, but maybe he's just getting warmed up again...

Anyway, there are tracks on this that are as good as anything he's ever done. The Happy Goth is definitely the best track on the album and I would say one of his best to date.

Hannon's a grower.......2004-12-18

Upon first listen you may dismiss this as string laden and pretentious, with nary a memorable tune to be found. But as is the case with all of Neil Hannon's albums, upon the third or maybe even fourth go-round everything becomes apparent, the lush atmospherics, the Scott Walker homages, the wistful melancholia. This is one of those rare albums that rewards over time, and I tip my hat to any artist that can pull this off in todays musical climate. Its not as striking as Casanova or Regeneration (hence the three stars), but it is very good unto itself, so don't cloud your judgement with The Divine Comedy's past successes. Standout tracks here are "The Happy Goth" which brilliantly rhymes 'goth' with 'Hoth' (as in Empire Strikes Back ice planet Hoth) , the hummable "Come Home Billy Bird", and the wonderous one-two punch of the two closing tracks, the haunting instrumental "Laikas Theme", and the lovely "Charmed Life", which could be described as Hannon's 'My Way'. I recommend this strongly to fans of The Divine Comedy, but be prepared to spend some time with it.

Average customer rating:

Absent Friends The Divine Comedy Manufacturer: EMI/Parlophone ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Chamber Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | CD Singles | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B0002BK9LC Release Date: 2004-06-15

Tracks:

1. Absent Friends
2. Sticks & Stones
3. Leaving Today
4. Come Home Billy Bird
5. My Imaginary Friend
6. Wreck of the Beautiful
7. Our Mutual Friend
8. Happy Goth
9. Freedom Road
10. Laika's Theme
11. Charmed Life

Album Description

4-track single taken from the 2004 album of the same name, features the title track b/w three non-album tracks, 'Something For The Weekend' (BBC Radio 2 Ken Bruce Session), 'Absent Friends' (BBC Radio 2 Ken Bruce Session), & 'Absent Friends' (Video promo

Average customer rating:

Absent Friends, Pt. 1 The Divine Comedy Manufacturer: EMI Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Chamber Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | CD Singles | Pop | Styles | Music R&B | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000293NEO Release Date: 2004-07-20

Tracks:

1. Absent Friends
2. Mr Right

Average customer rating:

Absent Friends Divine Comedy Manufacturer: EMI ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Chamber Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Supergroups | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00018D0SU Release Date: 2004-04-05

Tracks:

1. Absent Friends
2. Sticks & Stones
3. Leaving Today
4. Come Home Billy Bird
5. My Imaginary Friend
6. Wreeck Of The Beauti Ful
7. On Mutual Friend
8. Happy Goth
9. Freedom Road
10. Laika's Theme
11. Charmed Life

Album Details

Japanese Release featuring a Bonus Track

Average customer rating:

FAF: Out Of Hal For Absent Friends Manufacturer: S.I. Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000TUCOOG

Product Description

Featuring rare, demos, live and other previously unreleased tracks. Songs: 1) Downtown (Edited Version) ;-- 2) Into Love (Acoustic Version) ;-- 3) Memories (Acoustic Version) ;-- 4) The Fight (Acoustic Version) ;-- 5) Dreamer (Acoustic Version) ;-- 6) Looking For Love (Previously Unreleased Demo Track) ;-- 7) Someone Like You (Live) ;-- 8) Downtown (Live) ;-- 9) Running Scared (Live) ;-- 10) The Bald, The Fat & The Ugly (Live) ;-- 11) Attitude (Live).

Average customer rating:

Absent Friends The Divine Comedy Manufacturer: Parlophone ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Chamber Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B0001MYY8G Release Date: 2004-03-30

Tracks:

1. Absent Friends
2. Sticks & Stones
3. Leaving Today
4. Come Home Billy Bird
5. My Imaginary Friend
6. Wreck of the Beautiful
7. Our Mutual Friend
8. Happy Goth
9. Freedom Road
10. Laika's Theme
11. Charmed Life

Album Description

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.

Average customer rating:

Two Absent Friends Sune Spångberg Trio Manufacturer: Dragon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B000005G91 Release Date: 1997-11-25

Tracks:

1. En Ballad I Advent Till Min Far
2. Pleasure of the Ball
3. Zo Zey Call One Concentration Camp Werner, Eh?
4. Blues Fstersund
5. Drottningholm Ballad
6. Helsinki Tre Hetska Dygn
7. Sittin' in the Sun
8. Sunday Blues
9. Congratulation
10. Bro I Sol
11. Vinterdag Med Sol
12. Vinterdag Med Sol 2

Average customer rating: A Mature New Work from Neil Hannon All Time Favorite Pleasent but lacking something There is a special edition from France with 4 extra tracks. Neil Hannon At His Finest...

Absent Friends The Divine Comedy Manufacturer: Parlophone ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Chamber Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B00014TJUC Release Date: 2004-03-22

Tracks:

1. Absent Friends
2. Sticks & Stones
3. Leaving Today
4. Come Home Billy Bird
5. My Imaginary Friend
6. The Wreck Of The Beautiful
7. Our Mutual Friend
8. The Happy Goth
9. Freedom Road
10. Laika's Theme
11. Charmed Life

Album Description

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.

Album Details

This Beautifully Reflective Album, Packed by Fantastic Orchestration, Shows a Real Return to Form for Neil Hannon.

Customer Reviews:

A Mature New Work from Neil Hannon.......2004-05-31

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.

All Time Favorite.......2004-05-09

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!

Pleasent but lacking something.......2004-05-03

Having sacked the whole of his band due to financial problems, Neil Hannon comes out alone. Of course, you wouldn't know the difference by any stretch of the imagination. The Divine Comedy can be good, 'A Short Album About Love' being a case in point, but sometimes fall into either novelty pop or drab indie. Last album 'Regeneration' was fairly disappointing, but here Hannon has the confidence to orchestrate his album with lush strings, so hopes are higher. Opener and title track 'Absent Friends', a tribute to the backing band he had to get rid of, shows off his crooner-like voice to good effect, but lacks a certain edge somehow, despite referencing Oscar Wilde among others in true quirky fashion. Similarly first single 'Come Home Billy Bird' is pleasently tuneful and Lauren Laverne's vocals add to the mix, but nevertheless it just lacks true intrigue in any manner, landing firmly in the middle of the road. 'The Happy Goth' is interesting lyrically, looking at gothic culture, not a subject one would expect Hannon to take a particular interest in. The whole album is very pleasent and therein lies its problem - the melodies not quite gorgeous enough to balance out the lack of intensity. It does its job, but edges towards coffee-table status at times.

There is a special edition from France with 4 extra tracks........2004-04-26

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..........2004-04-22

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!

Average customer rating:

Square One For Absent Friends Manufacturer: Musea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Morning Lights Presets Posthumous Silence Spock's Beard Sola Scriptura ASIN: B000JMK8Q0 Release Date: 2006-09-13

Tracks:

1. Hello World
2. Stick Around
3. Call It Chance
4. Square One
5. Wonder
6. Berlin Wall
7. Us
8. Falling Asleep
9. Billy

Product Description

The simple name FOR ABSENT FRIENDS should probably get an instinctive reflex in any Progressive rock fan ! It is indeed a very short acoustic ballad performed by GENESIS on the mythic "Nursery Cryme" in 1971. Quite certainly influenced by Peter GABRIEL's band, the group mentioned here has still adopted a rather different style, given that their music is a blend of sophisticated rock and neo progressive. This is not a coincidence if ARAGON, RUSH and MARILLION come back so often when trying to compare them to anything known. Dynamic and direct, the albums focus on the melodic beauty, counterbalanced by the energetic and efficient themes. Superb guitar or keyboards solos accompany Hans Van LINT's impressive voice, a sort of successful blend between Michael STIPE (R.E.M.) and FISH (MARILLION). "Square One" (2006) is the sequel of the meeting between the band and the Musea label. Here is without any doubt its best album so far, including nine excellent tracks. The nice melodies are enhanced by the singer's expressive vocals, while powerful guitar riffs are making contrast with atmospheric keyboards parts. All this is well played and produced. And, arriving to the conclusion of this excellent opus, let's mention Christian DECAMPS' vocal contribution in the final song, "Billy", initially written and played by legendary French band ANGE. Here is certainly one of the best Dutch Progressive rock line-ups of the Nineties !

Rock Music:

1. Air Hostess [EP] [Import]
2. Automatic-Live [Import]
3. Backyard Adventures
4. Bee Gees Songbook [Import]
5. Been Here B4
6. Breakin the Ice [Import]
7. Broke Window [CD-single] [Import]
8. Carnegie Hall Concert - June 18 1971 [Original recording remastered] [Import]
9. Clifton EP [EP]
10. Come Ons

Rock Music