The Last Broadcast

'Lost Souls' , Doves' debut release has had a near permanent spot in my CD player since the magical day I bought it about a year ago.

Now it has a very tough rival. 'The Last Broadcast'. As a whole it has a sense of maturity well ahead of it's predecessor.

It opens with 'Intro' , pretty much a classy instrumental warm up for the following song 'Words'. When the guitar first burst into the song it literally had me smiling. They were back!!
Next is the ripper of a first single 'There Goes the Fear' , it's reminiscent of The Stone Roses and goes for nearly 7 minutes. But it feels like barely 3, it just gets you going.
The standout track is definitely 'Pounding' , a blistering power blast that genuinely makes you feel good, happy and yes - GLAD TO BE ALIVE!!!
'Friday's Dust' is a gentle finger-picked acoustic similar to 'A House' from Lost Souls, only better. It features a Brass and Woodwind which makes you tingle all over.
Other highlights include the hauntingly beautiful title track and the optimistic melodic closer 'Caught By The River'.

If anything this album will prove the brilliance of these guys , and hopefully get them the respect they truly deserve and move into the stratosphere of class alongside Radiohead.

So please - STOP READING REVIEWS AND ORDER THIS ALBUM RIGHT NOW! - no way you'll regret it.

The album hits off with a hypnotic instrumental intro, just before bursting into 'Words'; a fantastic upbeat anthem. A definite candidate for a future single release. It's got a thrilling rhythm, which just repeats itself over and over again.
Speaking of singles, first single 'There Goes The Fear' is next. A wonderful epic. It did very well in the UK Charts (#3), and listening to it just can't help but make you wonder why it didn't went straight to #1 instead. If this doesn't get you going, I don't know what does. Simply stunning!
'M62 Song' is a sweet 'summerish' acoustic track, resembling 'Road Trippin' by Red Hot Chili Peppers. Lovely.
'Where Were Calling From', another instrumental track, sounds like Doves calling out for us from space.
'N.Y.'(or 'New York') was actually the very first track I got to hear from this album. This song actually made me want to check this album out. A great upbeat track, jammed with marvellous sound effects and powerful riffs.
'Satellites' is a heartwarming centerpiece of the album. I don't know why, but it reminds me of 'Yellow' by Coldplay, but maybe it's just me talking silly. Anyway, it's a great track.
I love the guitars in 'Friday's Dust'; a very beautiful, melodic track. I think this track might have been the most experimental bit the band pulled in making this album. It sounds great.
'Pounding is just plain and simply... well... pounding. It's one of those feelgood songs, and definitely one of the album's highlights.
Title track 'Last Broadcast' is next. If Doves named the album after this track, it's destined to be a special one. And it sure is! "So here we are with the last broadcast", moans singer Jimi Goodwin. It just simply amazes me how they do it.
'The Sulphur Man' is jammed with haunting sound effects. Art, simply... art. Another highlight, and another potential single.
Closing track 'Caught By The River' starts off with a jangly guitar tune, and soon after exploses into a brilliant tune, which tends to go on and on forever (like 'There Goes The Fear'). fan-tas-tic!

And then... nothing! I can't believe it's actually over! I want more! I guess there's nothing left for me to do but to listen to it again, and again, and again..

'The Last Broadcast' is a definite grower, and Doves' future seems already planned out for them. They are sure to become huge with this stunner.
Best album of 2002, without a doubt. I don't care how many great albums will follow this year, but this is IT! This, dear readers, says it all.

The soundtrack of your lives! 'Nough said...