THE DIVINE COMEDY
OFFICE POLITICS
DIVINE COMEDY RECORDS / PIAS
★★★★
If you consider Neil Hannon too clever for his own good, then starting his 12th collection by declaring “I jump the queue/ ‘cause I’m smarter than you”won’t help his cause. But when lyrics appear increasingly little more than an afterthought, Hannon’s self-assurance is justified. Office Politics boasts wit, wisdom and warmth, paying tribute to those who, according to its touching, rousing finale, When The Working Day Is Done, slave for a wage yet “give and get nothing back”. No wonder those contributing include another fine lyricist, Chris Difford, who adds vocals to some of its 16 tracks.