Doves (band)
English alternative rock band formed in the late 1990s, known for atmospheric melodies, layered guitars and electronic roots; notable albums include Lost Souls, The Last Broadcast and Kingdom of Rust.
Doves are an English alternative rock band formed in the late 1990s. Core members Jez Williams, Andy Williams and Jimi Goodwin first played together in various local projects and established Doves after earlier work in an electronic dance outfit. Their music is noted for sweeping, melancholic melodies, textured guitar work and a feeling that blends rock songcraft with electronic production touches.
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Characteristics and style
The group’s sound combines roomy, cinematic arrangements with intimate, often reflective lyrics. Tracks commonly employ layered guitars, driving rhythms and atmospheric keyboards; the band can move from hushed ballads to more propulsive, beat-driven songs. Critics and listeners have highlighted Doves’ ability to fuse emotive songwriting with production elements drawn from their dance-music past.
History and development
After forming around 1998, Doves released a sequence of studio albums across the 2000s. Their early records established a reputation for careful arrangements and strong singles that received both radio play and critical praise. In 2010 the band issued a career-spanning compilation, collected as a best-of anthology, and then entered a period of lower activity while members pursued other projects.
Several years later Doves reunited and returned to recording and touring. Over time they balanced group work with solo efforts, and their later material continued to explore the tension between expansive soundscapes and concise songwriting.
Members and selected recordings
- Jimi Goodwin – lead vocals, bass and guitar contributions
- Jez Williams – guitars, backing and occasional lead vocals
- Andy Williams – drums and percussion, occasional vocals
Selected albums often cited by listeners include early and mid-career releases that showcase the band’s signature mix of atmosphere and melody, as well as later work and compilations that summarize their evolution.
Legacy: Doves are regarded as an influential act within British alternative rock for their consistent approach to mood, texture and songwriting. They remain a reference point for bands seeking to balance emotional directness with layered, studio-minded arrangements.
Band History
Doves was formed by brothers Jez Williams (guitar) and Andy Williams (drums and vocals) along with Jimi Goodwin (vocals, bass and drums), who met at school when they were 15. They first played in the Madchester-influenced band Sub Sub with whom they also had limited success in the early 1990s, including the single Ain't No Love (Ain't No Use). By the late 1990s, however, her style was changing more and more in a rock direction. The band regrouped, changed their name, and released three EPs in 1998 and 1999.
Their first album Lost Souls was well received by critics in 2000 and was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. Their second album The Last Broadcast was released two years later, peaking at number one in the UK album charts and was also nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. In 2003, the B-sides compilation Lost Sides and the DVD Where We're Calling From were released. Their next album Some Cities was released in early 2005 and again reached number one in the charts. On April 3, 2009, their fourth studio album "Kingdom of Rust" was released in Germany.
After a hiatus of over 10 years, a new album titled "The Universal Want" has been announced with a release date of September 2020. The singles "Carousels" and "Prisoners" were released in June and July respectively.
Discography
Studio albums
- 2000: Lost Souls
- 2002: The Last Broadcast
- 2005: Some Cities
- 2009: Kingdom of Rust
- 2020: The Universal Want
EPs
- 1998: Cedar EP
- 1999: Sea EP
- 1999: Here It Comes
- 2003: Last Broadcast: Japan Tour
- 2005: Live at Eden
- 2006: Some Cities Live EP
Compilations
- 2003: Lost Sides
- 2010: The Places Between: The Best of Doves
Soundtracks
- 2002: Caught by the River in Scrubs, Season 2, Episode 3
- 2003: Caught by the River in O.C., California, Season 1, Episode 2
- 2005: Black and White Town in the FIFA 06 soundtrack
- 2009: There Goes the Fear in (500) Days of Summer
- 2009: Kingdom of Rust in Zombieland
Singles
- 1999: Here It Comes
- 2000: The Cedar Room
- 2000: Catch the Sun
- 2000: The Man Who Sold Everything
- 2002: There Goes the Fear
- 2002: Pounding
- 2002: Caught by the River
- 2005: Eleven Miles Out
- 2005: Black and White Town
- 2005: Snowden
- 2005: Sky Starts Falling
- 2009: Kingdom of Rust
- 2009: Winter Hill
- 2010: Andalucia
- 2020: Carousels
- 2020: Prisoners
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Author
AlegsaOnline.com Doves (band) Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/28753