History Lesson: Doves

Doves

Original video located here. Accessed 19th March 2015

2000 was one of the best years of my life (insofar). I had started University, my interest in anime was growing legs and I had found some long awaited romance. I had been given a fresh start and I was keen on facing the new millennium with eagerness and a smile. But in spite what has happened in the world since, I remember those halcyon days whenever I hear the Doves. It is indeed a testament to music when it can transport you to places and places you can still recall fondly. So what is it about the trio who once called Sub Sub? I’m not entirely sure. Maybe it’s the textured layers in their songs. Maybe it’s the musicianship. Maybe it’s because they gave up commercial success for alt-rock integrity (Sell –ins like this need to happen more often). But what matter is hearing something you can pick up straight away. And that’s what important for me.

Key Album: Lost Souls (2000) One of my favourite albums in my entire CD collection. And considering the size of it, that's saying something. This is one of those rare albums, where there are no dud songs and every one of them is a winner. But props must go to the monumental The Cedar Room, which has so many magic moments encapsulated in it's seven minute plus running time. The pounding percussion, hearing the guitar chords, for the first time, drifting in like a postcard from a dream, the second guitar bursting into life at the end of the second chorus, the backing vocals throughout the song.....