The Absent Friends Companion is the bonus disc that came with the limited edition of Absent Friends, mainly distributed in France but possibly in other countries as well… Like A Promenade Companion or, more likely Casanova Companion since lone copies were never directly sold, it features a few B-sides.
At first glance, it may seem these B-sides aren’t particularly too exciting, since 3 of them were already on the Come Home Billy Bird singles that went released a week before the album: ‘Idaho’ and ‘Girl Least Likely’ are respectively on the single and maxi.
But this is, on the other hand, the chance to get on CD ‘All Things’ which was the vinyl-only B-side of the Billy Bird set.
‘Anthem For Bored Youth’ as well is the vinyl exclusive track from the Absent Friends singles set, even though at the point the single was not announced yet. The song features contribution from Yann Tiersen who was guest for the album’s recording session, playing also on the album track ‘Sticks & Stones’. The inclusion on the CD bonus was also a way to get his fan owing both tracks with him together.

The disc has a similar design to the album, like a Blue Plaque. Since, apart a note on the album’s back cover, there is no reference to the bonuses, all details (tracklisting and credits) and printed on the disc. Like the limited edition of the album, the disc is Copy Controlled as well, and it may be more or less tricky to rip the tracks today. Which is interesting to note since both ‘All Things’ and ‘Anthem For Bored Youth’ have not been digitally available since, and alternate versions of them are to feature the Divine Comedy Records re-release of the album.
A couple of serial numbers are printed on it, first the limited edition’s number (of which it belongs to), and then between parenthesis, its own serial number: 7243 5 48615 2 9. On the other side, part of this number is to be found again: IFPI L047 EMI UDEM 486152 @ 1.