The Hello and this is Brian.

And joining us today is the singer, chief songwriter, founding member and sole mainstay

of one of the finest pop bands ever to come out of Northern Ireland, The Divine Comedy.

As we record this episode, he's set to release Foreverland,

his 11th studio album, and first in six years,

and a more than worthy addition to the Divine Comedy Canon.

We are thrilled to welcome the magnificent Neil Hanen to the show.

Yeah, very excited about this one as I'm sure are you dear listeners.

Neil is a much requested guest and for good reason as he's quite simply one of our finest songwriters

melodic with he sophisticated and the man can break your heart with a chord change

and he has that great ability to turn life small incidents into moments of great emotional significance which for me is the

hallmark of any great songwriter.

Preach. But yeah although the humor in his lyrics is undeniable there's a great poignancy

in much of that work as well, isn't there?

Like a song like Our Mutual Friend for example, you know, it could be taken as funny, but

the experience that's described in it is earth-shattering to the protagonist of the song isn't it?

Absolutely.

I think that gives it a real weight you know especially when it's a company by those

traumatic strings. Very true. Anyway we headed down south last week and we're

lucky enough to spend a delightful hour in the company of

Mr. Hanen in a well-appointed London hotel where we discuss the new album and of

course his approach to songwriting. You'll hear that chat shortly but first

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