Promenade

Promenade was recorded by Hannon and Allison with a string quartet, and with Joby Talbot on oboe and cor anglais, his first appearance with the band. The album is described as a concept album about two lovers at the sea, and water recurs in its songs. Allison made field recordings on the Northumberland coast that open Bath and Neptune's Daughter. It begins with a quote from Isaac Watts's hymn Our God, Our Help in Ages Past, and The Booklovers lists over seventy authors, with samples from Audrey Hepburn and Monty Python's Flying Circus.

The string writing recalls Michael Nyman, and Hannon once handed Nyman a copy, saying he could sue. Nyman later said he felt more flattered than ripped off. Hannon sent his albums to Scott Walker, who wrote back that he particularly liked The Booklovers. Select called it a masterpiece and Q one of the most unexpected and individual treasures of the year. It was not a major commercial success.