The Divine Comedy is Neil Hannon, according to the band's website. That is quite different from the seven-member band that The Divine Comedy was at the time of the album (2001). In this case, the title for the album Absent Friends does not seem to be chosen by chance, although Hannon has operated on his own in the past. Hannon has written, produced and performed Absent Friends all by herself, with
… some sporadic contributions from ( , ) And ( ) after. It is an album that at first sight has little to do with modern pop music. It is full of sixties influences, elegant strings and lush wind instruments and sometimes sounds more British than British. Yet The Divine Comedy is nowhere good, and there is always the so-called 'sharp edge' which gives the sweet songs something sour and unique. After the only half successful plan to become a / band with Regeneration , Hannon has rediscovered herself with Absent Friends and made an extremely attractive record. (IV)more
