Doves - Lost Souls (2000)

From early nineties acid kids (Sub Sub) to millennium indie darlings, Doves have a come a long way and in doing so produced one of the genuine surprises of 2000. Lost Souls abounds with enormous helpings of memorable guitar based melodies that have such sharp edges it will leave you searching for paper cuts on your lobes. Right from the off the Air-esque instrumental 'Firesuite' signals a burning talent ready to offload its many varied musical directions to a grateful public. Things simmer perfectly on by as the debut single 'Here It Comes' emerges possessing a swaggering beat and a tinkering piano lilt that is perfect for watching the sun go down.

Doves output has a distinctly bored with Britpop feel about it. Many of the songs weigh in at about 5 minutes or more, so those looking for a quick Oasis type fix are likely to be disappointed. 'Lost Souls', the title track, for example relies heavily on its acoustic, organ drenched, semi-distorted vocal to carry the day without ever resorting to orchestral bombast to make it sound epic. By way of apology the instantly remarkable 'Catch the Sun' is about as chorus, verse, chorus as Doves get. Play it as soon as you buy the CD and from then on in you will be hooked. So strong are the tunes on offer that each one would afford less adventurous bands the opportunity to build a whole album around it. 'The Man Who Told Everything' is a grand epic, suggesting a bigger invention and flair for song writing than other more popular guitar bands (hey Travis, why can't you finish your sentences like Doves). 'The Man Who Told Everything' boasts a chorus that swoops skyward to an atmosphere where breathing becomes difficult. The alchemy of string, vocals and guitar refrains applies ultra strong gel to the hairs on the back of your neck.

'Sea Song' emphasises the multi-coloured feathers in Doves cap. The music has a panoramic feel with Jimi Goodwin's vocals a little word shy but his delivery is hugely stirring. 'Melody Calls' is another tune soaked in panache and exhibits a total respect for the art of harmony. It all sounds like it was clobbered together at the last minute, like a meal with ingredients that lay unused in the fridge for aeons. Despite this, Doves cast such a magnetic spell over the multi-instruments on view that it all comes together to sound like a perfectly cohesive stew. It's not often that a tune performs like it was engineered for the purpose of pleasing the Gods but 'The Cedar Room' certainly fits that bill. It may not produce the necessary rain clouds but who needs rain when every time you hear it everyone in the vicinity is in floods of tears. Ok that might be an exaggeration but this song boasts such a glorious, expansive riff it's hard not to be taken on a flight of fancy.

'Lost Souls' grand view didn't go unnoticed. The album earned a nomination for the Mercury Music Prize, boasted very healthy sales and made most top 30 lists of the albums of 2000. It's hard to disagree when there's beautiful music at every turn like 'Break Me Gently' with its discreetly chiming acoustic nature and phone line vocal breaks. At the end, when the fire has burnt out the brilliant afterglow that is 'A House' leaves a graphic reminder. The only thing that is required to have you nodding in agreement is Goodwin's half-spoken lyrics and a delightful acoustic guitar meander. Be aware what you are getting into when you buy 'Lost Souls', a taste of the future awaits. It is a sublime, faultless album. Certainly one to reach for when the decidedly cheap aeroplane your are travelling in begins to splutter. Why should you take this course of action I hear you say? Well, because no deserted island dweller deserves to be without 'Lost Souls'.

Rating: 9/10

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