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Amazon.co.uk Review
Doves return with a follow-up to The Last Broadcast that, unexpectedly, is something of a concept album. Some Cities builds on that titular theme throughout the course of its wintry--and, at times, monolithic--citysongs.
First single "Black and White Town" is in good company here: Doves' distinctive jangling and fractured chords also feature in "One Of These Days" and, most impressively, the hope-tinged northern dirge that is "Shadows Of Salford". But the most interesting cut here is "The Storm", which uses an old Ryuichi Sakamoto string sample to great effect, pitching Doves into compelling new territory that could well be explored in the future.
Elsewhere Doves' trademark soaring, epic sound is retained intact from Lost Souls and The Last Broadcast. Doves repeat their peerless use of a thumping kick to propel songs such as "Black and White Town" and "Sky Starts Falling" to their blistered crescendos, all the while keeping a uniquely dynamic sound that is exclusively Doves.--Jonathan Davies
Review
Doves are back with a remarkably affecting record that gives the listener a real insight into the mindset of band members Jez, Andy & Jimi. This is an album about the transitory nature of life, there's a mistrust of the new and a simple mourning for what's passed. There's a respectful remembrance of what's been been lost, be it physical (buildings in Manchester and Liverpool) or metaphysical (friendships, sense of belonging, love).
Album opener "Some Cities" sees the band attempt to come to terms with the changes in their hometowns after returning from a two year tour of the world. "Black And White Town", the band's first full attempt at Northern Soul and recent single, continues the theme of city life; specifically escaping its daily grind.
There is a wonderful contrast between these insular city songs with the expansive "Snowden" and the Sigur Ros-like final track "Ambition". Here the sense of frustration is replaced with joy and hope. The differences in mood might be explained by the fact that the album was recorded in Liverpool, London and near Loch Ness.
"Walk In Fire" is one of many stand out tracks. A classic big beat forms the backbone of the song and reminds you more of the band's Sub Sub, Madchester roots. A siren, tasty guitars, gospel-like backing vocals and a sing-along chorus all combine magically and confirm how far they've grown musically since those early days.
It's clear the success of their first two albums (both were nominated for the Mercury prize and sold bucket loads) has given Doves the confidence to explore new ideas. This is the sound of a band pushing themselves to the limit of their songwriting abilities and they're clearly enjoying every minute. "The Storm", for example,features wonderful cinematic strings and the best mouth organ this side of The The's Mind Bomb.
In these days of new acts shooting to fame (this year's V festival will be headlined by two acts that only have one album to their names - Franz Ferdinand and Scissor Sisters), let's celebrate a band who've been around for over ten years and who keep on getting better and better with each release. --Dan Tallis
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
There is so much going on that on a simple background listen one would miss. I suppose generally it's a chilled album but my body has been discovered to be uncontrollably jigging to the groove. Grooves which tend to be constant in structure with only slight alterations along the way.
I'm now gonna go against all that I've just written and say the word "Epic".
Songs average at 4.30 and, from a recording and mixing point of view, cover a massive range of styles and techniques. A fantastic use of room sounds (I've been told they recorded a lot of the album in an old church (the sleeve states that it was recorded and mixed in 10 different locations!!!) and computer (or otherwise) effects.
I find myself occasionally listening and waiting for the next effect to slip in `cos it always sounds so freakin' ace!!
This is my first time with this band and I can highly recommend it as a starting point. After this I got all their other albums and discovered many delights on the way.
I'd recommend this album to anyone with a cultured and wide range in tastes. It's not too intrusive and has a great mixture of sad and happy songs, leaving you feeling ... well ... alive!
This album will be in and out of my player for the rest of my life. And I'll always find something new!
Conclusion:
A lovely chunk of ear candy - eat it NOW!
I'm now gonna go against all that I've just written and say the word "Epic".
Songs average at 4.30 and, from a recording and mixing point of view, cover a massive range of styles and techniques. A fantastic use of room sounds (I've been told they recorded a lot of the album in an old church (the sleeve states that it was recorded and mixed in 10 different locations!!!) and computer (or otherwise) effects.
I find myself occasionally listening and waiting for the next effect to slip in `cos it always sounds so freakin' ace!!
This is my first time with this band and I can highly recommend it as a starting point. After this I got all their other albums and discovered many delights on the way.
I'd recommend this album to anyone with a cultured and wide range in tastes. It's not too intrusive and has a great mixture of sad and happy songs, leaving you feeling ... well ... alive!
This album will be in and out of my player for the rest of my life. And I'll always find something new!
Conclusion:
A lovely chunk of ear candy - eat it NOW!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The problem that Doves will have the rest of their career is that every album they put out will be measured against their brilliant debut, Lost Souls. When I first listened to Some Cities, I thought "Hmm, not Lost Souls, not even The Last Broadcast." But like all Doves albums, you have to keep listening. You probably don't "get" the album until you have listened to more than five or six times all the way through. But once you do "get" it, then you keep playing it and playing it and playing it. The electronic atmospherics so prevalent on Lost Souls and to an extent on The Last Broadcast are toned down here. There aren't as many radio friendly tracks like "Catch the Sun," "Pounding," or "Caught by the River." But what is here is very solid. It's also varied. You've got Northern Soul influences on "Black and White Town," bluesy guitar playing on "Almost Forgot Myself," and the Doves' penchant for rockabilly on "Walk In Fire." But I must reserve special mention for three tracks in particular: "Snowden" with its electronically distorted string symphonic riff; the flute-accented 70s prog rock of "Someday Soon" (my favorite track); and the moody "Ambition" which relied on the reverberations of a Scottish cathedral where they recorded the track. There is so much variety here that even if you tire of listening to the whole album, you'll be drawn back to individual tracks. Doves are absolutely essential and the only band prepared to take the mantle of Mancunian musical elder statesmen when New Order finally pass from the stage.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have to say I cant stop playing this album, it took a few listens but I have to disagree with the other reviews above and say that this is really really great stuff from The Doves. "Some Cities" and "Black and White Town" are great tracks.
BUT...."Almost Forgot MySelf", "Snowden", "Sky Starts Falling" and pretty much the others are superb tracks in their own right!
The three mentioned are class, Almost Forgot MySelf is brilliant a dragging guitar start and catchy bass line are fab its sheer Head Nodding stuff, the lyrics are moody soulfull and deep.
Snowden is subtle and rolls along Its my favourite, the winding guitars and lyrics brilliant, I could go on but I wont, just buy it and see for your self, forget Some Cities and Black and White Town listen to the rest and get caught up in it all.
Class album never bored of hearing it!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
ITS PROBABLY ME
I am probably going to up set some people so I will say sorry right now. SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!
Right to start with I am not a Doves fan so I have not heard any of there earlier... Read more
Right to start with I am not a Doves fan so I have not heard any of there earlier... Read more
Published on 8 May 2010 by Stephen
Third time unlucky.....
Rating: 4.5/10
Best tracks: "Black and White Town", "Almost Forgot Myself", "Some Cities". Read more
Best tracks: "Black and White Town", "Almost Forgot Myself", "Some Cities". Read more
Published on 19 Nov 2007 by New Gold Dreamer
A stellar album with great staying power
I first heard this not long after it's release and was impressed. What is more impressive is that two years later after many, many listens it still sounds great. Read more
Published on 12 Oct 2007 by Eazy
Some Cities sees Doves take the next step musically
"[Some Cities] is the sound of a band pushing themselves to the limit of their songwriting abilities and they're clearly enjoying every minute"
(Dan Tallis, BBC)... Read more
(Dan Tallis, BBC)... Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2006 by "ben_packer"
Great ideas, insufficient musical language to express them..
This album came highly recommended by some good young musical friends and I have given it my best shot. Read more
Published on 2 Jan 2006 by Mr. Thomas Thatcher
Cities on fire
Three years have passed since the Doves put out the outstanding "Last Broadcast." Their third album, "Some Cities" take a slightly different tack. Read more
Published on 25 July 2005 by E. A Solinas
Pleasure beyond measure
The problem with Doves is I can never decide which of their albums is best. Is it the quirky and chilled out 'Lost Souls', the anthemic and emotionally charged 'The Last Broadcast'... Read more
Published on 19 July 2005 by "beeswaxy"
Says something when you're told this "isn't their best"...
This is my first taste of Doves, and "Some Cities" has certainly proved an enjoyable album to listen to over the past week (and perhaps, even, for a few weeks to come). Read more
Published on 19 Mar 2005 by Ralph De Cordova
They must be good if this "isn't their best"...
This is my first taste of Doves, and "Some Cities" has certainly proved an enjoyable album to listen to over the past week (and perhaps, even, for a few weeks to come). Read more
Published on 19 Mar 2005 by Ralph De Cordova
Much better than Last Broadcast
The new Doves album has been a long time coming, but definately worth the wait. Its quite simply a much better album than The Last Broadcast. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2005 by "anders2000"
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