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Jul 01, 2019 Web Exclusive By Dom Gourlay

With spirits high after the success of Lost Souls, including a Mercury Prize nomination, Doves were in a buoyant mood when it came to planning for the follow-up. Confidence brimming, they entered the studio at the start of 2001 and gradually over time, the songs that would go on to become The Last Broadcast came together.

If their debut was a bold statement of intent, its successor was undoubtedly the point where the band’s early promise became fully realized. Bristling with pop melodies shrouded in a diverse array of arrangements ranging from anthemic rock (“Pounding”), caustic folk (“Caught By the River”), elegant dreamscapes (“Words”) and arguably the most audacious top three single of the decade (“There Goes the Fear”).

By this point, Doves had grown into one of the biggest bands in the UK and not without merit. Originally released in April 2002 on Heavenly Recordings, The Last Broadcast went to number one in the album charts and brought the band a second Mercury Prize nomination.

This beautifully packaged reissue on heavy-duty orange vinyl provides a timely reminder as to how Doves became national treasures in the UK whilst remaining the pinnacle of the band’s recording career. (www.dovesofficial.com)

Author rating: 9/10