The impact of Doves debut album in 2000 was enough to rescue more that a few lost souls who believed that alternative music had died. Its scope was far reaching; the core melodies were intricate and uplifting even if the album espoused a deep melancholy. It is one of the great debuts and will likely be spoken about in hushed tones by your children. Living up to such accomplishments often hinders second comings. Radical debuts are often followed up by meandering affairs, ideas appear in a watered down fashion as if the deep well of inspiration had been usurped in the initial burst of creativity. Not so here. The Last Broadcast sees Doves change tact a little; the vocals are now shared between Jimi Goodwin and Jez Williams lending a delicate-ever-changing subtlety to proceedings. Sean O'Hagan, formerly of Microdisney and partial member of Stereolab, joined the fray on arrangements fitting in tuneful obscurities that go a long way to illuminating Doves sound.

If you could imagine Lost Souls as a smouldering piece of artistry then 'The Last Broadcast' is a digital camera’s output as the flame takes hold. It may lack the overall cohesiveness of its predecessor but there are points on this album that soar beyond the stratosphere. The fire is stoked by the bell torn intro, imagine the anticipated start to a brand new day that promises so much and then delivers in spades. The album proper opens fluidly with a glimmering guitar jangle that hits the mark immediately. 'Words' has such a straight forward eye trained on what Teenage Fanclub have been doing for years it's no wonder you'll feel like embracing complete strangers. Jez Williams voice is innocent and acute at drawing the most from the power of the playing. 'Words' perhaps lacks the longevity of some of Doves output due to its immediacy so try to ration the exposure to lengthen the buzz. Special mention must go to Martin Rebelski on glockenspiel who dares to complicate the mood.

Starting out like a vaudeville pantomime 'There Goes The Fear' finds another gear chock full of clear percussion and swanky moods and directions. It flies at right angles when you least expect it as Goodwin purchases the perfect vocal tact and the whole ensemble blends like a fine warm malt on the palate. As the song proceeds the elation in the momentum becomes impossible to quell, lumps refuse to budge from throats, feet feel free to frolic with the nearest open space and the man on the moon eats cheese like its going out of fashion. Acid flashbacks and happy smiley faces drum up the past towards the end, it ain't no good resisting. 'M62 Song' named after a road in middle Britain is an oddity. Borrowing from King Crimsons 'Moonchild' it is as heart-warming as tuneful fairytales get. Drenched in acousticism with Jez's skewed vocals suitably adding a childlike innocence it takes some getting used but inevitably wraps you in a warm layer of sound. 'Where We're Calling From' finishes the job by tucking you in. With the sound of Slowdive re-awakening this is dreampop pulled straight from the 'Souvlaki' sessions.

'N.Y.' is much less complicated. With percussion that sweeps like tidal waves over giant boulders there is a coming together of several forces to create a patchwork quilt of a tune. The guitar play blusters like Bullet the Blue Sky but Goodwin sails his ship clear of the storm in that nonchalant nasal way of his. Low key and brooding 'Friday's Dust' harks back to that driving ambition that engineered the bands first cut. The strings and woodwind create an eerie spectre and the whole atmosphere sees Doves enter pastures that are braver than any of the other tracks on the album. Spiritualized's descent into gospel led operatics was a shame. Where they once bled poetry from their instruments they now require a cast of dozens to make their point. Once every other album is acceptable, but beyond that and you start to smell the indulgence. Blur also had a brief fling, with 'Tender', that was partially successful if a tad short on shelf life. Doves also threw their hat into the MOR ring and the whole genre is redefined. 'Satellites' remains one of the bands lesser achievements but the choir ensemble and rattling guitar breaks turn the limp wristed momentum towards a satisfying crescendo.

Delicately poised between sonic rocket fuel and potentially fatal goosebump inducing noise 'Pounding' flits like a humming bird on speed that has a penchant for sharing its honey. It opens excitedly like Reni has found a new band. The drumming is primeval, the lyrics less so ('I can't stand there, to see you disrobe') and the way Jimi Goodwin bends and twists honeyed melody through his vocals is to be cherished. Quite why the guitar playing turns towards U2's the Edge just adds to the mystique. Turn it on as you climb aboard a particularly bumpy rollercoaster and you'll be fine. The title track boasts a wistful thoroughfare of sound, the spacey flights of fancy hanging perfectly on the central guitar jingle. As the tune makes it merry way down the yellow brick road the celestial feel goes into overdrive. 'The Last Broadcast' would have you making like Mary Poppins if such things were acceptable in today's society.

Cartoon characters with serious intellectual brows are further dreamed up on the magnificent 'The Sulphur Man'. This is a perfect partner for 'The Man Who Sold Everything' because it squirts great wads of enthusiasm from its unbridled hypnotism. The bass contours like an epileptic snake, furrowing great hooks that are there to be adopted by anyone who shows a flicker of interest. As the lights go down on 'The Last Broadcast' a stellar cast join together to offer thanks for what went on before. 'Caught By The River' is Doves breaking out of their own complex songwriting methodology. As it turns out, it may not be an auspicious way to close this album but it's one that leaves a sweet ring in your ear. 'The Last Broadcast' saw Doves wrestling the initiative from their contemporaries. Their imagination has gilded an album that is fraught with such intoxicating beauty that it sometimes takes your breath away. The goalposts haven't moved radically since their debut but the world-weariness has lifted somewhat. 'The Last Broadcast' (apart from the singles) is a LP that has to be discovered, there are hidden journeys aplenty and the ride is one that is worth taking time and again. It is within touching distance of the infamy that genius deserves.

Rating: 8.5/10

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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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