sunday mail

Best Of Review Round-Up #1

The first round-up of the press reviews for the Best Of album.

Thanks to Paul Bingley For the Q review scan:

Click to view full size

there is a little sweetner in the form of Andalucia, the token new track that all Best Ofs seem to be legally obliged to carry. The track itself is fine; maybe not classic Doves, but it fits the retrospective mood by ticking all the boxes. Those wanting to shell out more will be pleased to receive a second disc of rarities and a DVD to boot.

The Places Between is that rare beast of a welcome retrospective. These are great tracks that have already done a good job of standing the test of time in a sometimes fickle genre. In a decade’s time they will still have their potency – something which guarantees continued play for this collection.

To read the full review, click here.

A greatest hits album is often cause for complaint, but the Doves have such a hit-packed back catalogue listening to this should be a pleasure. Hits including There Goes The Fear and Black and White Town to Words and Kingdom ofRust are mixed with hidden gems which never quite reaped the commercial success they deserved. MM

Spaceface In Nottingham

By all accounts, last night’s show in Nottingham was a right stormer. The regular set was played, but with the inclusion of Spaceface after The Fear. Well done Nottingham! I have fond memories of seeing the band at Rock City in the past, so to hear of a great show last night does not surprise me at all.

On the topic of great gigs. Scotland’s Sunday Mail rated the recent Glasgow Barrowland show as the concert of the week:

SundayMail.co.uk

Gig of the week: Doves *****

Barrowland, Glasgow, April 22

Doves are a band for our times. Down-to-earth Jimi Goodwin and twins Jez and Andy Williams deliver songs about love, loss, death, grime, gritty cities, bad times, good times and hope.

If ever a venue was suited to them it’s the Barrowland as Jimi spoke lovingly about the peeling paint and sticky floor. With his furry beard, he looks a bit like a kindly uncle but when one of his crew was hit by flying beer, he made the crowd say sorry to his mate.Tight, muscular and pounding, Doves gave a steely performance and there was an easy chemistry between the band.

They kicked off with Jetstream and tracks like The Greatest Denier, The Outsiders and an excellent 10.03 showed the crowd are taking the new material to their hearts.

Kingdom Of Rust again proved a brilliant live track. Old Doves staples will always please and in the perfect surroundings of the Barras, the hot and sweaty crowd jumped to Black & White Town, Words and the grand finale of There Goes The Fear, which merged into a samba-party style track.

T In The Park

Thanks to Tricky for the link. Doves have been confirmed to play this year’s T In The Park. Check out the Sunday Mail article link below. Jimi gives his thoughts on playing T & the influence his late father had on his music growing up.

DOVES are flying back to Balado

The Sunday Mail have also reviewed the Barras show, making it the gig of the week. To read the review, click here.

Kingdom Of Rust has remained a number 3, for a second straight week. Great news, the album sales remain solid. Much improvement on Some Cities, which dropped out the charts like a stone pretty quickly after going to number one.