Modern Rock Music News

CD Review: Doves Land on Planet Brit Pop with 'Lost Souls'-(U. Wisconsin)

By: Andy Ross - U-WIRE
March 22nd 2001 12:10am

(U-WIRE) MADISON, Wis. -- Doves seem to be the new baby for the music network that actually plays music, M2. Their new song "Catch the Sun" has been played with the repetition and attention given to Coldplay's "Yellow" only a month or two ago. It's a very poppy, high-production-value tune off of their new album Lost Souls and will pull in a lot of new buyers looking for the next Coldplay. Unfortunately, the single is also a misrepresentation of the rest of the album.

"Catch the Sun" has the fleshed-out guitars and catchy lyrics that make it good to sing along to. The rest of the album has the kind of bare, acoustic soundscapes that stand out proudly as indie. In fact, everything else about the album is indie, from the three skinny British-looking guys to the bare insert design.

There is an interesting blend of sounds here. Like Travis and Grandaddy before them, Doves has that slight "gee, that-sounds-familiar" Radiohead influence that carries with it a certain sadness to the songs. Also, there is a tiny hint of Ben Lee somewhere in there. It works, and the album as a whole transitions well, even into the three bonus tracks.

Even though a lot of people will end up buying Lost Souls for one song, they won't be disappointed with the rest of the album. Maybe, with all the interest shown to "Catch the Sun," Doves' next album will be all high-production, poppy tunes. Maybe.

(C) 1999 The Daily Cardinal via U-WIRE