The limited edition release of A Secret History is a stunning two-CD set accompanied by a 40-page hardcover book. Disc one is "The Best Of" and disc two is "Rarities." The songs that make up "The Best Of" are excellent choices. The hit singles from the U.K. were obviously going to appear here, but the disc adds worthy selections from Promenade and Liberation as well as a couple of new songs, "Too Young to Die" and "Gin Soaked Boy." "In Pursuit of Happiness" from A Short Album About Love is one of the band's finest songs, taking their witty, emotional, orchestrated pop to its highest peak, so its exclusion would have been criminal. Only "I've Been to a Marvelous Party," from the Twentieth-Century Blues compilation, is out of its element. Perhaps the live recording of "Johnny Mathis' Feet," a cover of the American Music Club song that appeared as a B-side to "Everybody Knows (Except You)," should have appeared in its place. Otherwise, fan favorites like "Tonight We Fly," "Something for the Weekend," and "Lucy" are appropriately sequenced on the near-perfect compilation. "Rarities" is a treat, but perhaps only for die-hard fans. With its inspired covers of Talk Talk, David Bowie, and Kraftwerk, numerous demos (some from the band's very earliest days), and energetic live performances, "Rarities" is an uneven but enlightening look into Neil Hannon's musical proclivities. If nothing else, the CD paints Hannon as an amazing live performer and talented arranger (the demos are superb) possessed of an incredible vocal range. He's equally capable of delivering preening Bowie swagger and traditional religious themes, on "Life on Mars" and "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind," respectively. The 40-page book is filled to the brim with glossy black-and-white photographs of Hannon, most taken from the photo shoots for the band's albums. In addition to the photos, Hannon and assorted cast and crew from the band's time at Setanta give annotated thoughts and insights into the beautiful beast that is the Divine Comedy alongside a discography and a time line. A Secret History spills all of the Divine Comedy's secrets, giving no excuse for the record-buying public to turn their heads from one of pop's most literate bands. ~ Tim DiGravina, All Music Guide