B-sides (across two CDs) begin with a stripped-down acoustic version of "Songs Of Love" (no-one mention Father Ted...), then follows "I Am", an orchestration of words from a book by Brian Eno. Ambient and (for the Divine Comedy at least) experimental, it floats around for a few minutes of pleasant diversion.

CD2 features a live version of the archetypically doomed and romantic "Geronimo", the oft-requested and seldom played "My Lovely Horse" and the video to "Gin Soaked Boy" which continues the equine theme with its day-at-the-races scenes.

Shining like a beacon amongst the fog-bound mediocrity of most of their peers, The Divine Comedy are a very special band indeed, and their new material should prove to be well worth a moment of anyone's time.

Rating: 9/10

A couple of live tracks on the b-side. "Baker Baker" is an emotionally-bare and haunting dream-like number, just featuring Ms Amos at her piano; "Winter" similarly sparse, is even more raw-nerve twanging and ghostly, the sound of souls lamenting as they descend into the seventh plane of hell (which is very like the plane I was on yesterday).

Rating: 7/10

Travesties continue on the b-side with a limp and cringe-inducing version of "Live And Let Die". Give me Guns N Roses anyday. Or just give me a gun..."Very Slowly" follows, a Spice-u-like that burbles along in an almost (almost...) seductive manner.

At least it's better than that godawful effort Emma put out this week.

Rating: 3/10