The Divine Comedy, headed by Neil Hannon, one of the country’s foremost songwriters, release a wonderful new album Office Politics, the follow-up to the acclaimed top ten 2016 album ‘Foreverland’ on June 7th.
Office Politics is a 16 track tour de force full of inventive, timeless music peopled with a typically irreverent cast of characters. “It has synthesizers. And songs about synthesizers,” Neil says. “But don’t panic. It also has guitars, orchestras, accordions, and songs about love and greed.”
The album features the singles ‘Queuejumper’ and ‘Norman and Norma’, the latter of which being a quirky and alliterative story of a heroically normal couple from Norfolk, set to a typically sophisticated and emotive Eighties-influenced soundscape. “I didn’t want my couple to go quietly into that goodnight, and I wanted to have some reason behind why I chose their names.” Neil reflects. “Then it occurred to me that they might find new life and vigour in joining one of those historical re-enactment societies. The idea of Norman and Norma donning helmets and chainmail and hurling themselves into bloodthirsty medieval combat brought a smile to my face.”
Here’s the video for ‘Queuejumper’:
The album was written, produced and arranged by Hannon, and recorded and mixed in Ireland and London by Ber Quinn and Guy Massey. Additional orchestral work was captured by Jake Jackson at Air Studios, and the LP was wrapped up and mastered at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. Additional guest & backing vocals come in the form of Chris Difford, Cathy Davey, Thomas Walsh & Pete Ruotolo.
Not your ordinary 9 to 5 existence, Office Politics’ central characters are the machines. Or ‘Infernal Machines’ as one track rages. “I do try to make normal records,” Neil says with a smile. ”But it always seems to wander off into odd territories.” And for that we should be thankful.
Office Politics will be released in a range of formats:
Vinyl LP:
– Standard Vinyl LP: 2 x heavyweight 180g Vinyl LP in gatefold packaging
– Limited Edition Vinyl LP: 2 x heavyweight 180g Limited Edition Coloured Vinyl LP in gatefold packaging
CD:
– Standard CD: 1 x CD in gatefold packaging with 12 page booklet containing lyrics and credits
– Limited Edition Deluxe CD: 2 x CDs – Standard CD + 15 track new album Swallows and Amazons – The Original Piano Demos, consisting of Neil Hannon’s original unreleased demos for the stage musical adaptation of ‘Swallows and Amazons.’
Digital download:
– Standard Digital Download: Same contents as Standard CD
– Deluxe Digital Download: Same contents as Deluxe CD – Standard CD + Swallows and Amazons – The Original Piano Demos
Album Tracklisting:
- Queuejumper
- Office Politics
- Norman And Norma
- Absolutely Obsolete
- Infernal Machines
- You’ll Never Work In This Town Again
- Psychological Evaluation
- The Synthesiser Service Centre Super Summer Sale
- The Life and Soul Of The Party
- A Feather In Your Cap
- I’m A Stranger Here
- Dark Days Are Here Again
- Philip And Steve’s Furniture Removal Company
- ‘Opportunity’ Knox
- After The Lord Mayor’s Show
- When The Working Day Is Done
The Divine Comedy will also be performing a few UK instore gigs in June, followed by a short UK headline tour throughout October to support the album.
Instore Dates
June:
Wed 5th Kingston Upon Thames, Banquet Records at Pryzm
Sat 8th Manchester, HMV
Mon 10th Perth, Assai Records at Inchyra Arts Club
Wed 12th Dublin, Tower Records
Tour Dates:
October:
Sun 6th Dublin, Bord Gais Energy Theatre
Mon 7th Belfast, Ulster Hall
Tue 8th Cork, Opera House
Thu 10th Glasgow, Old Fruitmarket
Fri 11th Birmingham, O2 Institute
Sat 12th Oxford, O2 Academy 1
Mon 14th Bristol, O2 Academy
Tue 15th Leeds, Metropolitan University (Leeds Beckett University)
Wed 16th Brighton, Dome
Thu 17th London, Eventim Apollo
Fri 18th Manchester, Albert Hall
Office Politics will be available on June 7th from Amazon.co.uk and other leading retailers, courtesy of Divine Comedy Records.
Leave a Reply