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Review: Emma Whitelaw
THE long-awaited third album by Doves is nothing short of exquisite.
Full of positively charged, awe-inspiring anthems; Some Cities
is an ode to the North of England which pays homage to the inner
city soul in all of us.
The extraordinary story of the band’s evolution from 90’s
dance outfit, Sub Sub, into the one of the country’s finest
guitar bands is one of great interest. The metamorphosis is one
of which I am sure many are very grateful. The next chapter in
their tale, Some Cities, is a story in itself.
Stories like that of their first single Black and White Town,
which was inspired by the fact that all the members of the band
grew up in satellite towns around Manchester. It is about the
decision teens face whether to stay and be buried in their hometown
or get out and see the world.
Thankfully for us, twin brothers, Jez and Andy Williams, and
school friend, Jimi Goodwin, decided upon the latter! While recording
Some Cities Doves have not only escaped the city they
know so well, they have landed in some pretty quirky locations
too. Country haunts such as a hotel with a view of Ben Nevis,
Snowdonia and a Benedictine Monastery.
The inspirational locations in which the album was written, and
recorded, has obviously influenced their music.
Snowden, recorded in Snowdonia, is both euphoric and
moody. Whereas Ambition has a haunting serenity about
it that could only be attributed to the fact it was recorded in
the tranquil surrounds of a monastery.
The stunning Almost Forgot Myself is awash with dreamy
oceanic rifts that will literally have you forgetting yourself!
Reminiscent of their epic track and NME’s single of the
year, There Goes the Fear, Walk in Fire is another
drum-led anthem. Mirroring the classic Doves sound, it contains
plenty of melody along with strong heart-warming lyrics.
The emotionally evocative Storm is a beautiful, almost
sombre sounding, violin-backed piece which gives way to some incredibly
uplifting lyrics about riding the storm and emerging stronger
and better than ever before. Written during a freak storm out
on the Pennines, it is sure to be an affirmation for the masses.
Some Cities paints an altogether different picture to
its predecessors Lost Souls and The Last Broadcast.
It’s almost as though the band have 'weathered the storm'
themselves and have emerged relatively unscathed and ready to
take on the world.
This is Doves at their most beautiful, relentless, brutal and
brilliant best!
By far their finest album to date.
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