Customer Reviews

The Last Broadcast

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The Doves sophmore release, The Last Broadcast, bucks the traditional sophmore slump and takes it's place as a stunning version of Brit-pop. While not as dramatic, moody and brooding as the debut album, The Last Broadcast is definitely the Doves' chance to shine as songwriters and as musicians.

In comparison to their earlier release, Lost Souls, The Last Broadcast is definitely a happier and more accessible album. What the album lacks in dark honesty, it makes over tenfold in perfect songwriting.It almost reeks with pop motifs and has definite brit pop sound. A song like "N.Y." feels like a Blur song with Oasis pop, and "Satellites" is just riddled with gospel-influences, which instantly reminds me of Sting's last album. Those are just a few examples, at least. This doesn't detract from any of the songs (all of these influences are good), but it's not as groundbreaking or mood-setting as the debut. A song like "Pounding," which is my favorite track, has fairly basic guitar playing and musicality, yet has all the perfect hooks to draw the listener closer into the music.

While I am a devouted fan to their debut, The Last Broadcast is an ideal follow up and a perfect way for the Doves to become one of the focal points of the new brit-pop movement. Their songwriting and lyricism is still up to par, and any appreciator of just good rock and roll would immensely enjoy this CD.

Doves are a unique band. Coming from a background in dance music (as the band Sub Sub), they applied their sensibilities in that genre to create a wholly original sound as a rock and roll band. They're compared to bands like Radiohead and Coldplay much too often, and Last Broadcast is proof of why.

Doves know how to make moody, ambient music. But what they've become masters at is taking their soundscapes and turning them into warm, full rock songs. Their debut, Lost Souls, was the beginning of Doves honing their sound. Here, on Last Broadcast, the band is tighter and more focused. A killer intro preps you for something astonishing, and when "Words" blasts in, it delivers. A clever riff enhanced by lush, rich production and a disctinct tone of optimism, "Words" leaves most gloomy Britpop bands in the dust (Travis and Starsailor, pack your things).

Following the reggae-tinged "There Goes the Fear," the haunting King Crimson rework "M62 Song" drifts in as if from an ancient AM radio. Beautiful in every way, it echoes the work of Nick Drake and other long gone troubadours without feeling out of place within The Last Broadcast's greater framework.

Some songs miss ("Satellites" is too long and meandering), but the last four songs are as good as it gets, particularly "Pounding," a pulsing, driving anthem sure to be playing on a movie soundtrack sometime in the near future. Where Lost Sould petered out as an album, Last Broadcast ends with "The Sulphur Man" and "Caught by the River," both powerful, atmospheric arrangements that leave you wanting more.

Fortunately, for some customers, there is more. Some editions of Last Broadcast contain a bonus disc with four extra songs. Seek it out. While the four extra songs are fittingly not included on the album, they are fun on their own, particularly "Hit the Ground Running," which is a Doves rehash of "Werewolves of London." Already big in England, Doves deserve a larger following here in the US. The Last Broadcast could be, and should be, their big breakthrough.

I've been listening to a promo copy of this since early April, so I've had some time with it. Simply put, this is a fantastic record - the most rewarding rock album since OK Computer, and current frontrunner for best of the year. Even better than Doves' stunning debut, 'Lost Souls.' Think of the best work from The Beatles, Radiohead and The Verve, add in a bit of electronica, turn the creativity meter all the way up.. it comes out sounding like music you've known forever, while remaining fresh and exciting. Jimi's voice is better than ever, and drummer Andy even gets a turn on the mic on 2 tracks. Great songwriting, gorgeous arrangements, and amazing detail.

There is zero filler here, as should be the case with every great record. A chilling intro gives birth to "Words," opening the album with waterfall-guitars and huge sound. "There Goes The Fear" is the first single, and possibly the best song of the year..love it. Next is the fragile and beautiful "M62 Song" - the acoustic guitar work on 'Broadcast' provide some of the best moments on the record. "N.Y." is simply a stunning rock song, one that melts into the spiritual and dreamy "Satellites." While still fantastic, this track ultimatley comes off as the brightest song on an album filled with bright songs. "Friday's Dust" is a haunting acoustic tune with delicate string and horn arrangements..a very cool song. After this comes one brilliant track after another to close the album - the relentless and soaring "Pounding," perfect melancholy dream-pop in "Last Broadcast"..by this point Doves have defied categorization, the only place for a song like "The Sulphur Man." The closer, "Caught By The River," is an anthem remeniscient of the very best of Oasis or The Verve. The album ends huge and warm, a big difference from the way they closed out 'Lost Souls.' 'Last Broadcast' is stunning in all of its psycadellic glory - all of the different colors, emotions and textures are both instantly acessable and continually rewarding. Not to mention the packaging and artwork is tops as well.

So basically Doves will be making great music for a long time, and it'd be best to get on the bandwagon as soon as possible.
I cannot reccomend this album highly enough.

It's hard for me to review this cd without referring back to Doves' debut record, "Lost Souls." It's also hard to pick a favorite between the two efforts. "The Last Broadcast" is positively sunny compared to its predecessor, but not necessarily warmer. Both albums have a number of absolutely stunning songs, as well as some of the best production I think I've ever heard.

Doves call to mind so many other artists, it's difficult to really describe their sound. Younger fans will hear bands like Radiohead (pre-Kid A), Oasis, and Coldplay. Older listeners will definitely pick up echoes of Tears for Fears and New Order. For some reason, I think TFF is the closest point of comparison. Doves has the same big melodic sound -- heavy guitars, thundering drums, haunting effects, distinct vocals -- yet their music is spacious and never cluttered.

Songs like "Words" and "There Goes the Fear," with their infectious hooks, may make the singles cut, but it's tracks like "Satellites," "Pounding," "the Sulphur Man," and "Caught by the River" that will take your breath away with their earnest beauty, haunting melodies, and soaring production.

This is the second record by the much loved Doves. They are the greatest thing to come out of Manchester. Their first record Lost Souls was brilliant but often uneven. This time they went into the studio with the idea "Every song's got to be a killer." They were tired of being labelled as a dark and depressive band. They wanted to do music that was positive and upbeat, since now being miserable such a cop out. There's a new enthusiasm and confidence on the new record. The Last Broadcast is mostly self-produced. After the strange "Intro" the album moves into "Words" and that's where The Big Music starts. Even though it uses a U2 guitar riff, it goes on to something else. This is wake up and face the day music. This record makes you think about you life and hardly any music does that anymore.

Songs like "There Goes The Fear" and "M62 song" show their more folk side with a knowledge of prog rock. The first song sounds like coming off drugs and trying to enjoy life with them. Doves are great at creating distinct sounds that come to mean something over time and repeated listens. Mostly recorded in Manchester and Bath, "M62 Song" was recorded under a flyover and sounds like some of the weird songs Vincent Gallo did for Warp Records. Just as things get spaced out and mellow, Doves get loud and big again on "N.Y." that sounds like driving in the country music. Doves define their true sound here early on. It is a real mix of modern and the past, and there's no looking back now. The American release also comes with a bonus disc of four songs that includes a funny take on a Warren Zevon song.

The Second part of the album starts for me with "Satellites" that is a heartfelt ballad that is like a round. "Friday's Dust" is an even more impressive ballad. This is widescreen music for people who can look past the obvious. "Pounding" reinforces one of the main themes of the album: "Seize the time because it won't last forever...." This is done with a lot of building power. The title track is lighthearted ditty that becomes psychedelic at times. "The Sulphur Man" begins as a sort of religious song that could be played in a church. It is about this mysterious figure than seems as hard to put your finger on as this album is. This record is a great journey. It is a little deeper than something like Oasis. A song like the final track "Caught By The River" is like a little story about life itself. You are reminded that a lot has happened on this CD. Doves are finally a rock band that balances emotion and intelligence in a way that most of Britpop bands never could.

(www.freewilliamsburg.com)

To get the absolute maximum out of this album, first listen to this magnum opus when you're a bit down, and this CD will become your Prozac; not leaving your stereo for at least a week. From beginning to end, the ebb and flow of this masterpiece is perfect in it's timing, as it prepares you to be strong, face your pain, draw in all the bad, and finally allows you to break free and start anew.

1.Intro - The calm before the storm 9/10
2.Words - Mega, mega riff that makes you feel god-like 10/10
3.There Goes The Fear - Gargantuan epic that will have you singing at the top of your lungs 10/10
4. M62 Song - Lo-fi acoustic paints a magnificent scene 10/10
5. Where We're Calling From - Instrumental that bombardingly arms you for the next track 8/10
6. N.Y. - Absolutely beautiful number, with stunning vocals and and intense guitar-work 10/10
7. Satellites - Complete with a small choir and a old gospel-esque stomp, the admittance and healing of your sorrow kicks in. 10/10
8. Friday's Dust - A soft, short, and dark breather from the previous two grand songs. 8/10
9. Pounding - The rocker of rockers. Stretch out your arms and celebrate you're alive. Air guitar is required. 10/10
10. The Last Broadcast - Lovely song, along with terrific singing, but you're still remembering Pounding. 8/10
11. The Sulphur Man - With a gorgeous chorus and bridge, this song is an excellent prelude to the finale. 9/10
12. Caught By The River - Best vocals of the album, with space-defining solos and powerful lyrics, the best ending possible for this album has been realized. 10/10

Once you finish this record, you will realize you have just heard the most powerful album ever written, and that there probably isn't nor will there be a more perfect album.
If you enjoy Coldplay, Oasis, Radiohead, or Badly Drawn Boy you will passionately adore Doves and "The Last Broadcast". Even if you groove to polka and the Swedish Rhythm Kings, you'll love this CD. And while Doves' first CD, "Lost Souls" is a very strong album, it's like comparing a cold, rainy day to a cloudburst over a sunrise. There are some moments that you just want to revel in forever.

Doves are to Radiohead as Smashing Pumpkins are to Nirvana, i.e., the better band out shadowed by hype. Actually the Radiohead hype over shadowing a band could be used to describe Spiritualized as well, but that's another review, we are here to discuss one of the most amazing CD's out there.

This CD is a journey into light, yes that's right; this music actually touches your soul. It maintains an inspiring freshness. It is a soundscape of wondrous proportions.

With Influences that range from New Order, Talk Talk to the Smiths and Joy Division, and King Crimson, but never are they a copy.

The Doves came of age with Coldplay, Travis (both I like) and Radiohead (I like them too), what sets the Doves apart from their peers is feeling, passion and joy. You can taste it in the music, its tangible.

With stand out tracks like the fearless "Words," 7 minute opus "There Goes the Fear" and the thunderous "Pounding," the glorious "Fridays Dust," the space trip of "Sulphur man" this CD is a one of a kind, one Ethereal moment in time.

The last broadcast is hopefully one of many great journeys I will take with this band

People seem to think since that Doves are no longer the melancholy band that they used to be, they are no longer worth listening to. It's that very same aspect of going from a very dark and depressive act to a more of a reflective band shows maturity(I mean, Korn shows no signs of evolution. Is it possible to be that upset when you've become a success story?). Something that I'm all for(I like being an emotive human being thank you). With all that said, not only is there an emotional chnage, but there is also a musical progression(another thing that I am all for).

Richly arranged tracks populate this CD, with melodies strong enough to go toe to toe with Blur's Great Escape and XTC's Apple Venus vol. 1. The sound is very fleshed out, but never too calculated to make it sound deliberate. The emotion of the songs is played not only through Jimi Goodwin's voice, but effect songwriting. This is what blows me away about this album. Not in a long while has there been band that has such lush sound that is concerned with being overly technical. That right there is what makes my jaw hit the floor with this album.

Diversity is another thing that comes into play with this CD. Pounding is driven completely by a, "pounding" beat that is very much rockin'. But also this CD is littered with glorious little ballads like Satalites and M62. The star song comes early, with Doves's epic track: There Goes The Fear. It runs through so many courses before finally ending on a thumping tom beat. It is quite possibly the best pop song to be written in years. A work of art for sure. There are a ton of different textures on this album which makes it all the more listenable. All of this is backed up Jimi Goodwin's sensitive, deep voice and two amazing musicans, the William brothers.

Seriously, I don't think that there will be a album that will top this release this year. It has already got my vote for album of the year. And seriously, if radio continues to lambast me with crap they have going here, we might even have one of the best records of the decade. I strongly erge everyone to buy, if not listen to this album. It may not be you thing, but with encompassing sounds and level of humanity not seen in music like this for years, it should touch you. Just a little bit.

I have never been impelled to write a review on Amazon.com until now. Doves' The Last Broadcast has to be one of the most beautiful albums ever created. I discovered Doves while browsing Amazon.com and reading reviews of The Last Broadcast. I was curious, so I checked out their website and listened to a few sound clips. From then on, I was hooked. I bought the album after hearing "There Goes the Fear" and "Pounding" only once. I am so glad I did. In my opinion, The Last Broadcast is one of the best albums of the year. Since I purchased it, I have listened to it constantly. When I listen to everything else, I wish I were listening to Doves. The songs are catchy enough to get stuck in my head, but never get boring or annoying. The album gets better and better every time I hear it. It flows seamlessly, yet each song is has its own identity and is a masterpiece in itself. "Pounding" is the kind of song that I get lost in. From the first chord to the last lyric, I am captivated every time I hear it. The gorgeous instrumental 2/3rds of the way into the song makes me weak.
The Last Broadcast has all the qualifications of the perfect CD. It makes me want to tell every person I know about how wonderful it is, but at the same time keep it to myself as a beautiful little secret. I only wish I would have found out about Doves sooner so I could have seen them live this summer. Buy this CD. You won't be disappointed.

I decided to buy "The Last Broadcast" on a hunch, not ever hearing a note and trusting all the positive notices it had received on its release, so I hoped to like it at least somewhat. It took a few listens to sink in, and this, for me, might be the album of the year for 2002, and on the strength of this album I went back and searched out all their previous singles, along with the first album, "Lost Souls" (also brilliant - can't decide if one's better than the other!). This is one of those records that will renew your faith in music when you're almost out of hope that great bands have been forever replaced by marketing constructs like Blink 182, etc. These guys truly love making music and it shows. My favorites are probably the obvious choices: "Words" is a terrific first full track (after "Intro" warms things up) with chiming guitars all around. "There Goes The Fear" is even better, a textbook example of thrilling arrangements and it bursts with optimism; it sounds absolutely enormous. "M62 Song" is more mellow and intimate, before "Where We're Calling From" comes in, sounding all celestial. "NY" and "Satellites" are the only tracks I don't connect with quite as well, but they're good tracks nonetheless. "Last Broadcast" and "Friday's Dust" are both introspective and gorgeously arranged. Then the pace picks up again: "Pounding" starts with the guitars revving up and comes charging out of the gate: when Jimi Goodwin sings the opening line, "I can't stand by...and see you destroyed" with that huge sound behind him, it's perfection. "Sulfur Man" is a great follow up, and again, beautifully arranged. The closer, "Caught By The River", ends the album on a quiet note of hope, enveloping you in the harmonized line, "Would you give it all away...?" into the fade. Britain's New Musical Express (pretty certain it was them!) had it nailed when the reviewer called "The Last Broadcast" "The most life-affirming album of the year". Usually an album of this scope runs the risk of having too much put in and making a mess. Doves achieve the opposite: every overdub and tweak makes sense, and only enhances the effort. This is the type of record where you find yourself ministering to increasingly-annoyed friends, insisting again and again, "You HAVE to hear this!" Here's hoping that Doves stick around for a while - they're a true rarity.