Neil Hannon, Divine Comedy founder and torchbearer, had apparently planned for the band's new record to be a covers album. He toyed with having a bash at everything from The Vapors' Turning Japanese to Depeche Mode's Question Of Time, but realised that, in his own words, "there are only so many songs you can turn into between-the-wars cabaret".

Still, he kept his version of The Associates' Party Fears Two for the album and a jolly old rendition it is too. The rest of the album comes up to the mark too, with Hannon's booming vocals twisting and turning throughout lush string arrangements and intelligent pop rock tunes.

Opener Die A Virgin is darkly humourous - sounding like something the Electric Light Orchestra might have done if they hadn't taken life so seriously. Upbeat singalongs, often a staple of The Divine Comedy, come thick and fast, Mother Dear being the finest example. The rest of the album is just as alluring.

Now, what about that covers album Neil?