Doves
Following initial success some groups stall. That's what happened to England's dance combo Sub Sub. "Ain't No Love (Ain't No Use)" did exceptionally well in clubs but the group didn't have another ace. So it was back to Manchester to re-tool. Former Sub Sub members Jimi Goodwin (bass/vocals) and the twins Jez (guitar) and Andy Williams (drums) became the Doves. The collaboration clicked with the group's debut EP "Cedar" being released on October '98. A limited pressing, the EP sold out. It was a good start that garnered the music media's attention. The singles "Sea Song" and "Here It Comes" built momentum. "Lost Souls" was released in October '00. Two years later the Doves delivered "The Last Broadcast."
The Doves have been compared to Radiohead and The Verve, among others. Their debut "Lost Souls" ranges from the dreamy "Sea Song" to the uptempo guitar Rock of "Catch The Sun," the CD's best track. "Cedar Room" is a slow song that revolves around Jez's jangling guitar. Two mid-tempo songs also stand out, "Melody Calls" and "Hear It Comes," with a hypnotic, psudeo-60's drum track. Most of the album stays comfortably mid-tempo, blending pop and Rock.
'02's "The Last Broadcast" is a tuneful, if tame release. The Doves Rock in places but are either unwilling or unable to sustain it. Many performers out to say something meaningful think they have to slow down to get it all in - so the listener can catch every "breathtakingly profound" word. First, the songwriter should be more concise and keep Rockin'. And second, a musician's "meaningful" or "artistic" statements have got to be the most meaningless of all. Remember, these are people who have spent countless hours either learning to play an instrument and/or honing their craft to the near exclusion of all else. Think they know about the world? Some haven't been outside for years.
While not a hard Rockin' effort, "The Last Broadcast" has an airy, sparse accessibility with some ear catching tunes like the bouncy "There Goes The Fear." "N.Y." is the album's best track. It has some power before settling into a comfortable mid-tempo.