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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Absent Friends
EMAILPRINTby The Divine Comedy
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 16 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 10 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Nettwerk / Parlophone
Release Date: 04 May 2004
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Alternative, Rock, Singer-Songwriter
Summary
Neil Hannon returns with his first album since 2001's 'Regeneration.' Basically a solo effort (though retaining the Divine Comedy name), 'Friends' was produced and largely performed by Hannon, with Nigel Godrich handling the mixing.
Also By This Artist: Regeneration Victory For The Comic Muse
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Entertainment Weekly
Gorgeous, grotto-fabulous chamber pop. [14 May 2004, p.71]
Under The Radar
If you appreciate intelligent and literate lyrics, and are not put off by theatrical orchestration in your pop songs, then this is as good a Divine Comedy album as any to immerse yourself in the considerable talents of Neil Hannon. [#7]
Mojo
His songwriting has rarely sounded so acute. [Apr 2004, p.109]
PopMatters
While he's still as self-absorbed as he's always been, shifting tenses has loosened Hannon up and in turn inspired one of the best albums he's made to date.
Read Full Review >Filter
While Hannon's aesthetic/literary weltanschauung is rather haughty, it succeeds by sheer force of intellect and style. [#11, p.95]
Magnet
His deft handling of the pop-song idiom makes even these smaller-scale songs soar. [#64, p.89]
The Guardian
It's quite something - all the more given that he's now a one-man operation - and merits attention as much for its ludicrousness as anything.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
Absent Friends isn't my favorite Divine Comedy record (Fin de Siecle, actually), but it is an excellent record, and one that seems more likely to appeal to non-fans than his more ostentatious outings.
Read Full Review >Uncut
The best record he's made since 1996's Casanova, it's one of those rare instances when an artist retraces their steps and successfully locates what made them interesting in the first place. [May 2004, p.102]
Q Magazine
Another beautifully scored Divine Comedy album that sounds a bit like Scott Walker and a lot like the last one. [May 2004, p.102]
Blender
His wisest and warmest record yet. [#27, p.136]
Splendid
By the time "Our Mutual Friend"'s symphonic percussion and hammering cellos reach their crashing apex, the album begins to feel a little like the fourth consecutive hour at a well-stocked party full of musical theater majors.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 10 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
allison m gave it a10:
came across this very late but love love it..
Jesse S gave it a 7:
Somewhere in between the cheesy ("Come Home Billy Bird") and the sadly immaculate drama-ridden & clever ("Our Mutual Friend") we have a generally good effort from his Divine Hannon. His most Scott Walker-ish homage. Perhaps.
a s gave it a 7:
good cd, BUT copy protected - and small print on cover says may not play on car cd players - i'm not impressed, as thats where I play most of my cds.
Kris H gave it a 10:
The more I listen to this, the more I like it. Less oppressive than Casanova and hits the right emotional spots.
asier r gave it a 9:
hannon comes back to the walkers' road. And sounds (nearly) better than ever. thank you chap
