Lost Souls

For much of the past decade one of the most common mantras heard was from unreconstructed Rock bands claiming that there'd always been a dance element to their music. For reversing that trend alone we should investigate what Doves have to offer.

In their incarnation as Sub Sub the brothers Jez and Andy Williams, together with chief vocalist Jimi Goodwin, reached the Top 3 in 1993 with 'Ain't No Love (Ain't No Use)' before the violent demise of Manchester's club scene and the destruction of all their equipment in a studio fire prompted a radical reappraisal of musical direction.

Lost Souls is a multi-layered, moody collection whose initial effect is quite deceptive. On first hearing it's the precise production techniques which stand out rather than the songs, and you're left to contemplate whether you really need a cross between a less raucous Radiohead and a more humane Pink Floyd. Once that difficult phase has been passed though, Doves reveal themselves to be excellent songwriters rather than just expert engineers and the presentation totally complements the subtle shades contained in the songs.

Structured very much as a piece, Lost Souls possesses a Mancunian melancholy shot through with snatches of uplifting optimism. 'Melody Calls' rides along on a Countryish shuffle not a million miles from Shack, the piano coda to 'Here It Comes' recalls Jools Holland's contribution to The The's classic 'Uncertain Smile', the chorus of 'Rise' hits a fuzzy peak reminiscent of Jimmy Webb's 'Wichita Lineman' while 'The Cedar Room''s chorus "I tried to sleep alone, but I couldn't do it" lodges in the memory long after the song has run its 8-minute course.

Warm and engaging, Lost Souls exists very much in its own space and, at the very least, should prove to be a winner with regular visitors to all-night garages.