Neil Hannon swaps comedy for drama. (Absent Friends - Divine Comedy)

Member Name: MonsoonBaby

Product:	Absent Friends - Divine Comedy
Date:	12/08/09 (12 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Sweeping orchestra and great songwriting make this a grand affair.

Disadvantages: Some songs are a little bit too sombre, the upbeat songs are the more favoured on the album.

Absent Friends is the eighth studio album from Irish band The Divine Comedy, and is the follow up to 2001's offering "Regeneration."

Unlike The Divine Comedy's previous offerings of quirky, upbeat pop, such as National Express, Absent Friends shows lead singer and songwriter Neil Hannon taking the bands sound into a more mature, and serious tone.

Like his previous offerings, Neil Hannon still focuses on the normalities of life, whilst retaining the already familiar quirky tone. For instance, "Come Home Billy Bird" tells the story of a man who is desperately trying to make it to his son's football match in time. Perhaps the highlight of the album, "My Imaginary Friend" also capitalises on Hannon's use of quirkiness, telling the tale of invisible childhood friends which disappear with age. The backing beat skips along in a jolly manner and is undoubtably catchy.

Amongst the more upbeat tracks of the album is the evidence that Neil Hannon has adopted a more serious tone, but many of these tracks hold a certain endearing, sweet quality to them. Driven on by sweeping strings and pianos, Absent Friends really is a grand affair. One of the stand out tracks in this section is "Charmed Life", which shows Neil Hannon reflecting on the joys of becoming a father. The title track, "Absent Friends" tells of Hannon's departure from his bandmates, but his positivity of this new venture.

Some tracks do carry a slight sombre tone, which fans of the more upbeat songs in The Divine Comedy's collection may not be attracted to these as much. However there is plenty on this album for fans of both the upbeat and the more serious to enjoy.

Overall, Absent Friends is perhaps a bit of a departure away from the previous offerings from The Divine Comedy. It may not be as all-out upbeat pop as fans had been used to, but with Absent Friends, Hannon demonstrates his songwriting talents are still present, and do not disappoint. It's just a shame that with songs such as these, The Divine Comedy do not get as much recognition as they deserve.

Summary: An underrated but really enjoyable eighth offering from The Divine Comedy.