Doves Kingdom Of Rust

As I put the finishing touches on my Japan blog, I wanted to send out a quick shout out for a great band that has always been near and dear to me, Doves.

This is to commemorate their recent release Kingdom Of Rust. It is their fourth release and definitely their most mature. I have listened to the CD about twelve times and it keeps getting better every time I hear it.

The title track has a slow country sound to it at the start and progresses into the lyrics. It starts off as a resignation to loss of a love, wanting to feel the glow of the love when it was there. He wants to regain it but cannot do anything but wait in his own kingdom of rust.

With all of the despair that this album wreaks of, the song "Birds Flew Backwards" is a respite of hope in the analogy of emerging from the long winter in anticipation of the summer arriving soon. A short and slow song but very nice, indeed.

My favorite song is "Spellbound". It's knowing about being drawn to beauty and completely mesmerized, realizing the lost of his heart and mind but accepting his fate. This is classic Doves and a very powerful song.

They are supporting the record with a tour. Unfortunately, no stops in Vegas and, unlike making a trip to L.A. to see them in June of 2002 in support of my still favorite album The Last Broadcast, so it was not to be this time. They are winding up their West coast swing of the tour in Portland tonight and then back towards the East Coast. If you find yourself in a position to catch them, it is well worth your money and time to do so.

Doves continue the tradition of great bands to come out of Manchester, England. Pick up the CD and listen to one of the best bands around today.

K