:: Doves - Some Cities

Doves

This Manchester band has to be one of the best bands around. This is another remarkable set of songs from a bunch of guys who give everything into providing listeners within an insight into their lives. The album has been eagerly awaited and it won’t let anyone down. Their previous album saw them away from home for a long tour during 2002/2003. Now, the nature of several of these songs traces their thoughts on how life has changed in the northern parts of England – note the title track and “Black And White Town”. They tell the story in a soulful, expressive manner. Tracks such as “Snowden” and “Ambition” then give listeners hope and joy as to the life ahead. There is a brilliant blend to the songs. An album like this is very even in quality but it’s worth highlighting “Walk In Fire” for the sheer beauty of the flavoursome guitars and soulful vocals. It’s a shining example of the band’s great development from their beginnings. Then there is “The Storm” that showcases the songwriting abilities and which contains wonderful strings and great mouth organ. The song instils serenity into one’s mind. Overall, “Some Cities” has a more cohesive and urban feel and shows that Doves just keep getting better and better. This is the best album I’ve heard to date in 2005. The atmospheric and haunting melodies make this totally absorbing and, considering how good their previous two albums were, it's ranks right up there alongside them. I hope this record propels them much further because there is more craft and intelligence than a lot of what I’ve heard over the past twelve months.