Doves - The Last Broadcast
Music Album

Publisher: EMI Records

Review by: Werdna Elbee

The tracks on the album are produced and arranged very professionally, never shying away from big orchestras when needed but still knowing when it's best to use less instruments for a simpler, purer sound. My favourite part of many of the tracks on the album are in fact the excellent drums being played and it's nice that the band have given room for them to shine and occasionally get a solo. I believe I have mentioned more than once to friends that I want to be the drummer in this band because they are so good.

The most familiar song on the album is the single "There Goes The Fear". Unsurprisingly it is the best track on the album with an uplifting tune playing, clever lyrics and a drum solo at the end. I'm mentioning these drums far too often so I should end this point by mentioning my favourite song on the album is "Pounding" because of the heavily used drums throughout. Another highlight of the album is the title track to the album "The Last Broadcast" as it is an excellent example of the Doves sound and you really get to realise what they are all about by just listening to this song.

The album can be hit and miss at times though. I'm not a particularly big fan of the song "M65 Song" because it's too slow and the feel of the song isn't in keeping with the whole of the album. However, they sometimes get it right when changing the pace of the album as you can tell when you get to the last song "Caught By The River." A very simple song with a nice acoustic sound but it soon picks up to a more grand and and highly polished track that you would expect from the Doves.

After having to stomach so much modern punk it's nice to hear some music that truly is fresh. Get this album now and I assure you that when it is done you'll be uplifted and feel richer for the experience. I think the music magazine NME put it best by announcing it as the "soundtrack of the year and beyond".