Doves are an alt rock band from Manchester, England. They put out four albums between 2000 and 2009, with the fifth, The Universal Want, coming out in 2020. The trio is made up of twins Andy and Jez Williams on drums and guitar, respectfully, and Jimi Goodwin on bass guitar. All three contribute to songwriting and vocals.
They met at 15 years old in high school. They later got together at The Hacienda; the famous nightclub associated with Factory Records and New Order during the Madchester scene of 1980s and early ’90s. Their first band was named Sub Sub and in ’93 they had a hit single in the U.K., “Ain’t no Love, Ain’t no Use.” Their studio burned down which triggered some reflection and ultimately a switch in name and musical direction from house/dance to alternative rock. They had a few EPs in the late ’90s setting the stage for their first full-length in 2000, Lost Souls. It’s a fine introduction to their melancholy style of meandering and swelling sounds, sometimes within the same song. Two singles of the album are my favorites; the catchiest song they’ve ever done (“Catch the Sun”) and the beautiful, simmering “The Cedar Room.”
The band’s next two albums continued to define their sound and contain some stellar songs. 2002’s The Last Broadcast begins and ends with jangly guitar anthems, “Words” and “Caught by the River”. I love that sound, so this album has me from the get-go. It went right away to #1 on the U.K. album charts. Some Cities, released in 2005 also went to #1 and contained the band’s highest charting single, “Black and White Town.” It’s a slightly more subdued effort, but keeps on the same path as it ebbs and flows between sadness and euphoria. The band was peaking and opened for U2, Oasis, and Coldplay on the 2005 tour.
Kingdom of Rust was released in 2009 continued the band’s success by hitting #2 on the U.K charts. Making the album took a toll, however, as the band members suffered personal loss and grew tired of recording an album followed by the mandatory tour. They needed a break which turned into quite a long one. Jimi cut a solo album and the twin brothers formed a band, Black Rivers, both in 2014.
Which brings us to 2020. The Universal Want opens with its first single, “Carousels.” The name of the song rings Doves and the distinctive guitar and rousing chorus picks right up where the band left off. The next song, “I Will not Hide” is a standout with acoustic intro and building guitars. Lyrics such as “the lines upon your face recall a different time” are indicative of a running theme of aging as the band members have all recently hit the big 5-0. The strings and piano on “Broken Eyes” provide the backdrop to “dreaming about the past and enjoying the years slip past.” “Cathedrals of the Mind” and the closing track “Forest House” are slower, lush numbers featuring piano and guitars. Two songs are upbeat gems with “Prisoners” combining strings, synths, and guitars into a driving force and the interplay of strings and guitar on “Cycle of Hurt” is an album highlight.
I have all the Doves albums and it’s good to have them back after a 10-year break. The Universal Want maintains the band’s consistent sound and expands it with confidence and maturity. This is not a “return to form” as many returns from long layoffs are labeled – they never lost their way. There is not a weak song on the album, something I’m not sure I can say about any of the others. They continue to reside in the mid-tempo musically and the mid-range vocally. Follow along and they’ll fool you as they shift into high or bring it down low. They’re a good rainy day listen and equally satisfying as the sun comes out. Not many bands evoke such a spectrum of moods.
D² Rating ◼◼◼◩☐
Trivia ? – What Madchester band of the late 1980s and early ’90s had a hit with the song “Kinky Afro?”
Answer: The Happy Mondays