Calman The Dove - Savourna Stevenson

Advantages: A variety of gorgeous songs, fine musicianship, sublime blend of voices
Disadvantages: Not to everyone's taste, one or two weaker tracks

...There's no getting around it. The McCalmans are not to everyone's taste. Three middle-aged Scottish folk singers wearing jumpers and jeans and (at this point in their history) the inevitable scruffy beards. By their own admission, there are better singers and better instrumentalists out there. And this is not a folk-rock band; this is a folk band. If that thought makes you shudder, you might be best off going elsewhere. But if it doesn't, you may be in for a treat. What the Macs are is consistent. Consistently good, consistently enjoyable. This is fun, passionate and approachable music, and just because there are no drum kits (or at least, not very many...) doesn't mean they don't have a tremendous energy and edge. These are musicians who have decades of experience between them, and haven't lost any of their drive. In various line... Read review

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Advantages: The Minimalistic Future.
Disadvantages: The Speed Crazed Past.

...From early nineties acid kids (Sub Sub) to millennium indie darlings, Doves have a come a long way and in doing so produced one of the genuine surprises of 2000. 'Lost Souls' abounds with enormous helpings of memorable guitar based melodies that have such powerful edges they will leave you searching for scorch marks. Right from the off the Air-esque instrumental 'Firesuite' signals a burning talent ready to offload its many varied musical directions to a grateful public. Things simmer perfectly on by as the debut single 'Here It Comes' emerges possessing a swaggering beat and a tinkering piano lilt that is perfect for watching the sun go down. Doves output has a distinctly bored with Britpop feel about it. Many of the songs weigh in at about 5 minutes or more, so those looking for a quick Oasis type fix are likely... Read review

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Advantages: Experimental, good radio friendly songs
Disadvantages: Possibly over done instrumentals

...The Doves have finally spread their wings with this, their second album, The Last Broadcast. Already a contender for album of the year, in my view, this is a collaboration of two years work, putting together a well produced and well written album. The album begins with a short instrumental. Fading in, the band uses synthesisers, to create a very whirry and airy sounding introduction, before this fades back out into Words. Words is a very upbeat song and begins with hand claps and distinctive drumming, before the main guitar riff comes in. The first verse begins over this cacophony of music, before going into the chorus: “Words, they mean nothing/So you can’t hurt me”. The glockenspiel riff remains the same until the song draws to its close, after 5 minutes of summer-sun like indie. There Goes The Fear opens... Read review

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