The Duckworth Lewis Method (2009)

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The Duckworth Lewis Method

I'd always sort of known "The Divine Comedy"; I recalled their early hit, "National Express" and I was aware that that they (or rather Neil Hannon, who seems literally to be a "one man band") had written the theme tune to "Father Ted." Odd bits of their repertoire had come my way in the intervening years and I always found Mr Hannon to be a resourceful tune-smith and a witty lyricist. I was, therefore, intrigued to read of his collaboration with one Thomas Walsh (from a band called "Pugwash," apparently) in a concept album based on that most unlikely of musical topics, cricket, and one, moreover, with that most unlikely of titles, "The Duckworth Lewis Method." (I do in fact recall a song called "F**ck me, it's Fred Titmus," but cricket has hardly been a fruitful source of musical invention) I decided to throw caution to the farthest part of the longest boundary and buy the album and, blow me, it's a belter; tuneful, funny and beautifully produced. I'm sure that most people's favourite track will be "Jiggery Pokery" (about Shane Warne's dismissal of Mike Gatting in the Ashes series of 1993), but there are no duds. Buy it...it'll cheer you up no end!
Recommended to Divine Comedy fans & cricket fans. (I don't say that often!)