Rating: 7 / Format: CD/LP / Label: Heavenly
You know, Doves have not always been the purveyors of gloomy, atmospheric, stadium-filling rock they are now. In 1993, under the moniker Sub Sub, they released classic dance track ‘Ain’t No Love (Ain’t No Use)’ – it was their only hit single. And it should come as no surprise that as Doves they would eventually release an album with a dancier edge to it. Not wishing to imply that Kingdom of Rust sounds like a Hacienda Classics compilation, but it’s certainly their most upbeat work to date.
‘Jetstream’ starts off proceedings; the simple melody is brought in one layer at a time while rippling synths flit across the surface ‘til the bassline finally crashes into gear. The title track harks back to the sound of last album Some Cities, continuing the band’s lyrical preoccupations with the landscape and architecture of the north. ’10:03′ is arranged by Tom Rowlands of The Chemical Brothers and certainly shows it; building slowly at first, before breaking down to create an album highpoint. ‘Compulsion’ sounds like The Clash in funk-mode, while ‘Birds Flew Backwards’, a short, ethereal acoustic number, shows they can still pull out all the emotional stops.
After the acclaim that went to Some Cities four years ago, it’s good to see that Doves have pushed themselves to make a record that sounds unlike much of their back-catalogue. However, while Kingdom of Rust is a solid record, it’s eclectic to the point of sometimes being unfocused, and as such lacks the emotional impact of its predecessors.
Jeremy Parkinson