CityLife

Doves

A LOT has changed on Walton’s Mountain since the Doves were last a touring concern.

Four years on from the release of their warmly-acclaimed third LP, Some Cities, the trio have chosen to float rather than swoop back into the spotlight.

And considering the dramatic downward spiral the music industry - not too mention the general economy - has undergone, it’s a sensible decision.

Thankfully, the combination of that old adage of absence and hearts growing fonder plus an enviable live reputation has meant a low-key jaunt sold out in the blink of a tour promoter’s twinkling eye while a much-larger date at Academy 1 in April swiftly went the same way.

Clearly thrilled to be back among their own, the Wilmslow-quartet’s arrival on the stage is met with a wave of goodwill, which amiable frontman Jimi Goodwin reciprocates with, “It’s great to be back Warrington Parr Hall, it’s been a long time!”.

Aptly opening with Jetstream, the first track on forthcoming LP, Kingdom Of Rust, which features guitarist Jez Williams on lead vocals - it makes for the kind of soothing, aural experience, which is so prevalent in their back catalogue.

It is comeback single and the album’s title track, which proffers the most hope for the record to follow though.

A rhythmic, undulating affair, which dances on the back of some symphonic keyboard work – it’s a fabulous opening gambit.

Sprinkling

A well-crafted set pleasingly also sees a sprinkling of the euphoric anthems they’ve nurtured since their rave-era Sub Sub days with a pulsating Pounding sending the masses into overdrive.

Backed by some panoramic imagery, last album’s Black And White Town and another new number, the tremulous 10.03, also strike rich chords, but ever the dance music aficionados, it’s the encore kiss-off, which sparks the most euphoria.

Sadly, it is preceded by a mass brawl in the middle of floor, which temporarily sours the atmosphere – but once the culprits have been dispatched and the opening chimes of the Northern Soul-inflected Here It Comes kicks in (coupled with those mesmerising Wigan Casino images), it’s all quickly forgotten.

There’s just time for their über-anthem There Goes The Fear to be unleashed - powered on by Andy Williams almost tribal drumming - before they’re gone.

The big wigs at EMI have high hopes for this record, with industry talk of them “doing an Elbow” in 2009 – the early signs suggest Goodwin and Co may well be high on Mercury Music Prize panel’s agenda when they come to chew the cud this autumn.

Doves play Academy 1 on April 26 and Delamere Forest on June 13.

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