Album Review

There has been a trend lately for rock bands to get away from the keep-it-simple aesthetic, instead relying on ornate production touches in an effort to beguile listeners as much as impact them. You can call it the Eno-ification of rock, as in Brian Eno, the producer who had his hands all over the latest releases by U2 and Coldplay. But that trend stretches far beyond those two standard-bearers; heck, even Bruce Springsteen’s latest focused on melody and sound over lyrical message. It seems as if it’s not enough to bring the thunder. You’ve also got to spread some sunlight.

This trend would seem to be a boon for Manchester, England’s Doves, who’ve been churning out intricate soundscapes and uplifting choruses since their critically acclaimed debut at the start of the decade. There is more of the same on their latest release, Kingdom Of Rust, but the band has tipped the balance a bit too far on this one. Amidst all of the immaculate productions and meticulous arrangements, the album too often lacks a beating heart.

The title track is the saving grace. The ersatz western track takes a Johnny Cash rhythm and adds the album’s most grabbing hook to create a slice of minor-key heaven. Every touch is just right here, from the countrypolitan strings to the catchy keyboard riff. One thing Doves has proven is their ability to craft indelible singles, and you can add “Kingdom Of Rust” to that list.

Listen to “Kingdom of Rust”

But the rest of the album goes searching for sounds without ever settling on one, even within a single song. Promising starts often end up lacking, as in “Compulsion,” which breaks from the mid-tempo rut with a snazzy disco groove that Franz Ferdinand would love. But the payoff never comes, as a limp chorus disappoints. Similarly, album opener “Jetstream” is a letdown as well. A stopwatch rhythm and subtle instrumental flourishes build the tension, but it turns out to be all tension and no release.

Listen to “Compulsion”
Listen to “Jetstream”

The attempts at balladry don’t provide much to chew on either. Songs like “10:03” and “Birds Flew Backwards” are full of atmosphere and little else. “10:03” was produced by former Radiohead producer John Leckie, and at times Doves sound like they’re trying for the ambient genius of Thom Yorke and the boys. But the darker edges and lyrical daring that make Radiohead’s songs more than just experiments in sound texture are absent here, as Doves’ reticence to go for the gusto leaves most everything here feeling a little half-hearted.

Listen to “10:03″

What’s frustrating about Kingdom Of Rust is that there are moments that you can hear something trying to coalesce, but it never does. I can imagine parts of many of these songs being used for audio bumpers for commercials or trailers, but the good parts don’t add up to a satisfying whole. You can hear lead singer Jimi Goodwin biting and tearing at the words trying to create something, but both the melodies and the lyrics fail him.

When Doves regroups for another go-around, they can do so knowing that all the pieces in place for a true breakthrough. They’ve already got the sound that seems to be all the rage these days. Let’s just hope that they get their songwriting in gear before the trend passes them by.

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