Some Cities - Doves Album Review

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Album Review

They dare to be diferrent:but will they pay the price? Hopefully not.The Doves have been flying high ever since their successful album Lost Sides from 2003.The non-conformist Mancunians like to do things their own way,with the music press loving every bit of them.Whereas the tendency is to fall into the Embrace-Coldplay-Keane et al formula,this quartet are proving to be real troubadours in every way possible.If I was to set them apart for the run-of-the-mill exponents of melodic rock,they would stand out as Pink Floyd did in the early days.There's even a hint of the Floyd on their last album,a track called Valley.On the British scene,they have no comparison or rivals.Album number three-Some Cities,finds the boys at their creative best,(expanding on the magnificent Lost Sides)with their stature growing year on year.Not only are they profound songwriters,they have a subtle knack of experimentation,with all kinds of sound and quirky effects,which turn up when you least expect them.Listen number one:ok.Listen number two:very good and very interesting.Listen number three:gotcha!That's how it seems to go with the Doves.Somehow they've embraced the Rolling Stones,U2,Red Hot Chili Peppers,Northern Soul,Pink Floyd and yes even Coldplay,without the killer riffs and killer tracks that will supply them with hit singles.Clearly their agenda is not to 'sell-out' at any cost.

It's a long,long,long time since I've heard anything as inspiring and influential from a very British sound,from a very unique(northern)British band.Standout tracks-Black and White Town,Storm,Sky Starts Falling.

Elly Roberts