Some Cities

Amazon.com
In the three years between this album and its epic-scaled predecessor, The Last Broadcast, Manchester trio Doves were obviously doing something more artistically rewarding than mere touring. It's not that their sense of ambitious scale has waned. It's that it has been refocused inward here toward personal matters and the state of their Northern UK homeland. The title track and thumping, soul-inflected single "Black and White Town" state as much early on. But much more than Doves' subject matter has evolved as well. The album's sonically intriguing mix of influences fuse singer Jimi Goodwin's unabashed hook jones with bottom-heavy club rhythms and the restless, expansive instincts of multi-instrumentalist twins Andy and Jez Williams. Then, all is channeled through the fuzzy aura of too many youthful 3am's at Manchester's famed Hacienda nightspot.

The gorgeous moodiness of "Snowden" and string-drenched, mouth-harp seasoned "The Storm" show how far the band has evolved from its early Sub Sub incarnation/Manchester heritage, even as the bigger-than-life "Walk in Fire" shows just how deep those roots go. It's a magnificent record, one whose sense of scale belies its innate efficiency, and arguably Doves' most wholly satisfying to date. --Jerry McCulley

Some Cities,Doves,Capitol,Alternative Pop/Rock,Dream Pop,England,Indie Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

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Some Cities

Average customer rating: The Mancunian Epic Continues! Hardly can skip a track, do albums do that?? THANKS DOVES!!! It's okay Another great Doves Album And some not

Some Cities Doves Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Dream Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Last Broadcast Lost Souls Employment Plans Z ASIN: B0007735HG Release Date: 2005-03-01

Tracks:

1. Some Cities
2. Black And White Town
3. Almost Forgot Myself
4. Snowden
5. The Storm
6. Walk In Fire
7. One Of These Days
8. Someday Soon
9. Shadows Of Salford
10. Sky Starts Falling
11. Ambition

Amazon.com

In the three years between this album and its epic-scaled predecessor, The Last Broadcast, Manchester trio Doves were obviously doing something more artistically rewarding than mere touring. It's not that their sense of ambitious scale has waned. It's that it has been refocused inward here toward personal matters and the state of their Northern UK homeland. The title track and thumping, soul-inflected single "Black and White Town" state as much early on. But much more than Doves' subject matter has evolved as well. The album's sonically intriguing mix of influences fuse singer Jimi Goodwin's unabashed hook jones with bottom-heavy club rhythms and the restless, expansive instincts of multi-instrumentalist twins Andy and Jez Williams. Then, all is channeled through the fuzzy aura of too many youthful 3am's at Manchester's famed Hacienda nightspot.

The gorgeous moodiness of "Snowden" and string-drenched, mouth-harp seasoned "The Storm" show how far the band has evolved from its early Sub Sub incarnation/Manchester heritage, even as the bigger-than-life "Walk in Fire" shows just how deep those roots go. It's a magnificent record, one whose sense of scale belies its innate efficiency, and arguably Doves' most wholly satisfying to date. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

The Mancunian Epic Continues!.......2006-11-11

Another great album from a band whose glory days are ahead of them. All of the dark and desolate enviornment of a post-industrial Manchester is captured in every note of this album.

Hardly can skip a track, do albums do that?? THANKS DOVES!!!.......2006-08-24

Loved LOST SOULS, one of my all-time favs of any group to be honest. Honest, full of intrigue and originality that hooked me as a Coldplay fan. I now consider myself a graduate of Coldplay to the Doves. Coldplay's music is very listenable, great for pop/rock today, but lacks the musicianship and experimental work the Doves are able to explore and provide for their fans. Coldplay is too predictable, bottom line. I do like their music however. Anyways, getting back from that tangent, Some Cities is so different from their previous efforts. Your not going to get another Lost Souls, which was an absolutely epic record. The only problem with that album was there were too many tracks. Every time I listen to the album I skip at least four tracks that bore me. However, there best work is on the album so how can you call it anything but great? Every album seems to have its lows. Last broadcast was similiar w/out such great tracks as Lost Souls. Getting to "Some Cities" I found this album to be their best overall effort. I might skip a few tracks when not in the mood, but going through the album I find such diversity with tracks like "almost forgot myself" "snowden" to my favorites "walk in fire" to the pounding drums and elevating beauty to an amazing guitar riff that leaves you breathless and with chills and goosebumps on the song "one of these days", Can't name a bad song on this album. I forget titles of the songs and have this song in my CD changer so much, I only know track numbers. Basically, if you need something to help wake you up from the boredom of Coldplay and their predictable songs and lyrics, pick this album up. SUCH A GREAT ALBUM, see what you think and if you don't have it yet, go straight to "one of these days" and turn that sucker up!!

It's okay.......2006-08-02

This album is like a shiney used car that is prone to breaking down: it seems nice on the surface but you just can't get much mileage out ot it.

I really like the sound of this band, but when I bought the album, I tired of it quicker than I expected. It's funny: I can't think of a single song on the album I really can't stand except "Shadows of Salford" but as a whole it's hard to get into. It seems like they are trying to imitate Coldplay in places but not getting the desired result.

The best song of the album is "Walk in Fire" which has the lyric: "You're not free until you walk in fire." I think that's a pretty deep statement about the need to subject ourselves to painful trials to have complete self-control. There are several others worth hearing: "Black and White Town" "One of these Days" and "Sky starts Falling."

In summary, I find the album is good listening from time to time, but I need to give it a rest more often than albums by similiar bands, like Coldplay.

I would be open to hearing more of what this band has done. It sounds like they are really a good band who just had an off-day on the one album I happened to buy.

Another great Doves Album.......2006-07-19

Doves somehow retain their great sound yet always expand further into their musical expression.

This band adds to Last Broadcast and Lost Souls.

Someday Soon is my favorite song on this album. But every song compliments one another.

I cannot wait for the next Doves album.

And some not.......2006-05-21

While "lost souls" had the unmistakable feeling of secretly discovering forgotten objects and finding traces of urban structures in the middle of a desolate summer field with your best friend while sharing chocolates from a lesser known ex-soviet republic, "some cities" has the feeling of your friend coming over to play gamecube and later call up people on the speakerphone seeing what's up, what's happening, maybe hooking up.

The evocative splendor of appropriately lined tracks 1 to 6 of "lost souls" is nowhere to be found here, yet is replaced by the efforts to sustain it of tracks 7 to 12, but with more giving up and less trying.

Is this a really bad album, does it deserve TWO stars? Well no, not if you don't rate it compared to it's first-most predecessor.

Average customer rating:

Some Cities Doves Manufacturer: EMI/Heavenly ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Dream Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music ASIN: B00077OYDA Release Date: 2005-02-28

Tracks:

1. Some Cities
2. Black and White Town
3. Almost Forgot Myself
4. Snowden
5. Storm
6. Walk in Fire
7. One of These Days
8. Someday Soon
9. Shadows of Salford
10. Sky Starts Falling
11. Ambition

Tracks:

1. [DVD]

Album Description

This strictly limited-edition box set features the Some Cities CD, bonus DVD (PAL/Region 0) and an exclusive art poster with the linen bound box featuring unique and exclusive artwork. The bonus DVD features a short film (approx 11 mins) of the 'making of' the album titled "Cities Under Construction", plus a photo gallery (set to an exclusive album instrumental) and the Director's Cut of the video for "Black and White Town" by acclaimed Director Lynne Ramsay. If the first two Doves albums, Lost Souls and The Last Broadcast, were records that sounded like they were conceived in Glastonbury-like vast open plains, each number a snapshot of the wide open countryside or of the rolling sea, then their third album, Some Cities, paints altogether different pictures. At points it's crunching and urban, sounding like a midnight high-speed joy ride through the industrial beating heart of the city (most noticeably on the turbo charged first single "Black and White Town"). At others, it's like a long lost soundtrack to some early '60s kitchen sink drama ("Someday Soon", "Shadows of Salford"). Some Cities could only ever have been born in the North of England and is the sound of a full throttle Doves band. It's also the sound of the band at their most relaxed and confident, their most driven and fine-tuned.

Average customer rating:

Southern Exposure Dorothy Doring Manufacturer: Quarter Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CAJY8C Release Date: 2005-11-08

Tracks:

1. Besame Mucho
2. I Love Paris
3. Nice Work If You Can Get It
4. What the World Needs Now
5. Good Life
6. Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
7. Giant Steps
8. Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'
9. That Old Black Magic
10. Throw It Away

Average customer rating:

Some Towns & Cities Manufacturer: Newport Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B000024O8T Release Date: 1993-02-10

Average customer rating:

Cities That You Seek Dalin Manufacturer: Dalin ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CA9K2C Release Date: 2004-05-04

Tracks:

1. Moodswings
2. Erasure
3. Today's Special
4. Thomas
5. Route to Recluse
6. Race
7. Sweet Girl
8. Tuesday Night
9. Cities That You Seek
10. Come Around

Average customer rating: Walk in fire

Some Cities Doves Manufacturer: EMI Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Dream Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B0007LSTSC Release Date: 2005-02-28

Tracks:

1. Some Cities
2. Black And White Town
3. Almost Forgot Myself
4. Snowden
5. The Storm
6. Walk In Fire
7. One Of These Days
8. Someday Soon
9. Shadows Of Salford
10. Sky Starts Falling
11. Ambition

Customer Reviews:

Walk in fire.......2005-11-09

Three years have passed since the Doves put out the outstanding "Last Broadcast." Their third album, "Some Cities" take a slightly different tack. While their music is as powerful as ever, the Doves try some new musical styles -- ballads and a bit of dancepop -- woven in with the guitar rock. It may take a little while to grow on listeners, but it's worth it.

The songs are somewhat smaller in scale than what the Doves have done before. Instead of going for a continuously epic sound, the Doves opt for a more intimate sound to go with their home-village theme -- gentler, sadder and sometimes sweetier. In short, they go for gentle, eerie music, not dark grandeur. At least, not all the time.

The lead single "Black and White Town" strips things down to wavering keyboards and an insistent drumbeat. Some veer towards eerie sadness like "Someday Soon," while others retain the larger-than-life quality of the Doves' past work, complete with choruses and expansive vistas. These variations -- some little and sweet, some intricate -- make the album seem more musically mature.

It's always a shock to go home after a few years away, and discover the changes that people living there haven't even noticed. In a way, it's watching an old life slipping away. And it feels like the guys from Manchester are having a rude awakening to this in "Some Cities."

Not that everything here is depressing -- "Black and White Town" sounds like it was tailor-made to be a hit, with bored-youth lyrics and a dancey beat. It reaches back, maybe, to the Doves origins as "Sub Sub," a dance pop group. And the next-to-last song changes the mood to one of optimism. But reflections on their hometown and the past overshadow these, and lend the album the mournful beauty that the Doves do so well.

There has always been a symphonic sound to the Doves' music, and they apparently aren't about to change that. Not that I'm complaining -- few bands can pair crunchy guitars and synth with classical strings. At least, few can do it without sounding like they are trying too hard. In the case of the Doves, the classical edge merely adds a gloss to the panoramic rock music.

"Some Cities" lets the Doves stretch their wings (pun unintended, I swear), with some exquisite new musical styles and a poignant look back at their hometown. Absolutely stunning.

Average customer rating: Walk in fire

Some Cities ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B0007OMIY0 Release Date: 2005-03-08

Album Description

Limited edition pressing of their third includes a bonus DVD (NTSC/Region 0) unavailable on US pressing. The bonus DVD features a short film (approx 11 mins) of the 'making of' the album titled "Cities Under Construction", plus a photo gallery (set to an exclusive album instrumental) and the Director's Cut of the video for "Black and White Town" by acclaimed Director Lynne Ramsay. If the first two Doves albums, Lost Souls and The Last Broadcast, were records that sounded like they were conceived in Glastonbury-like vast open plains, each number a snapshot of the wide open countryside or of the rolling sea, then their third album, Some Cities, paints altogether different pictures. At points it's crunching and urban, sounding like a midnight high-speed joy ride through the industrial beating heart of the city (most noticeably on the turbo charged first single "Black and White Town"). At others, it's like a long lost soundtrack to some early '60s kitchen sink drama ("Someday Soon", "Shadows of Salford"). Some Cities could only ever have been born in the North of England and is the sound of a full throttle Doves band. It's also the sound of the band at their most relaxed and confident, their most driven and fine-tuned. Some Cities arrives almost three years after The Last Broadcast. Conceived as a shorter, more forceful record than its two predecessors, the record was written primarily in cottages and holiday rents around the UK (Snowdonia, Darlington and Youlgreave in the Peak District) and recorded with Ben Hillier (producer of Blur's Think Tank and Elbow's Cast of Thousands) in Liverpool, Brixton and Loch Ness. EMI. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

Walk in fire.......2005-04-07

Three years have passed since the Doves put out the outstanding "Last Broadcast." Their third album, "Some Cities" take a slightly different tack. While their music is as powerful as ever, the Doves try some new musical styles -- ballads and a bit of dancepop -- woven in with the guitar rock. It may take a little while to grow on listeners, but it's worth it.

The songs are somewhat smaller in scale than what the Doves have done before. Instead of going for a continuously epic sound, the Doves opt for a more intimate sound to go with their home-village theme -- gentler, sadder and sometimes sweetier. In short, they go for gentle, eerie music, not dark grandeur. At least, not all the time.

The lead single "Black and White Town" strips things down to wavering keyboards and an insistent drumbeat. Some veer towards eerie sadness like "Someday Soon," while others retain the larger-than-life quality of the Doves' past work, complete with choruses and expansive vistas. These variations -- some little and sweet, some intricate -- make the album seem more musically mature.

It's always a shock to go home after a few years away, and discover the changes that people living there haven't even noticed. In a way, it's watching an old life slipping away. And it feels like the guys from Manchester are having a rude awakening to this in "Some Cities."

Not that everything here is depressing -- "Black and White Town" sounds like it was tailor-made to be a hit, with bored-youth lyrics and a dancey beat. It reaches back, maybe, to the Doves origins as "Sub Sub," a dance pop group. And the next-to-last song changes the mood to one of optimism. But reflections on their hometown and the past overshadow these, and lend the album the mournful beauty that the Doves do so well.

There has always been a symphonic sound to the Doves' music, and they apparently aren't about to change that. Not that I'm complaining -- few bands can pair crunchy guitars and synth with classical strings. At least, few can do it without sounding like they are trying too hard. In the case of the Doves, the classical edge merely adds a gloss to the panoramic rock music.

"Some Cities" lets the Doves stretch their wings (pun unintended, I swear), with some exquisite new musical styles and a poignant look back at their hometown. Absolutely stunning.

Average customer rating: Cities on fire

Some Cities Doves Manufacturer: Musicrama/Koch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Dream Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000A2GT8K Release Date: 2005-03-01

Tracks:

1. Some Cities
2. Black and White Town
3. Almost Forgot Myself
4. Snowden
5. Storm
6. Walk in Fire
7. One of These Days
8. Someday Soon
9. Shadows of Salford
10. Sky Starts Falling
11. Ambition

Tracks:

1. [DVD]

Customer Reviews:

Cities on fire.......2005-07-25

Three years have passed since the Doves put out the outstanding "Last Broadcast." Their third album, "Some Cities" take a slightly different tack. While their music is as powerful as ever, the Doves try some new musical styles -- ballads and a bit of dancepop -- woven in with the guitar rock. It may take a little while to grow on listeners, but it's worth it.

The songs are somewhat smaller in scale than what the Doves have done before. Instead of going for a continuously epic sound, the Doves opt for a more intimate sound to go with their home-village theme -- gentler, sadder and sometimes sweetier. In short, they go for gentle, eerie music, not dark grandeur. At least, not all the time.

The lead single "Black and White Town" strips things down to wavering keyboards and an insistent drumbeat. Some veer towards eerie sadness like "Someday Soon," while others retain the larger-than-life quality of the Doves' past work, complete with choruses and expansive vistas. These variations -- some little and sweet, some intricate -- make the album seem more musically mature.

It's always a shock to go home after a few years away, and discover the changes that people living there haven't even noticed. In a way, it's watching an old life slipping away. And it feels like the guys from Manchester are having a rude awakening to this in "Some Cities."

Not that everything here is depressing -- "Black and White Town" sounds like it was tailor-made to be a hit, with bored-youth lyrics and a dancey beat. It reaches back, maybe, to the Doves origins as "Sub Sub," a dance pop group. And the next-to-last song changes the mood to one of optimism. But reflections on their hometown and the past overshadow these, and lend the album the mournful beauty that the Doves do so well.

There has always been a symphonic sound to the Doves' music, and they apparently aren't about to change that. Not that I'm complaining -- few bands can pair crunchy guitars and synth with classical strings. At least, few can do it without sounding like they are trying too hard. In the case of the Doves, the classical edge merely adds a gloss to the panoramic rock music.

"Some Cities" lets the Doves stretch their wings (pun unintended, I swear), with some exquisite new musical styles and a poignant look back at their hometown. Absolutely stunning.

Average customer rating: Walk in fire

Some Cities Doves Manufacturer: EMI Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britpop | British Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Dream Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B0007U8XJ8 Release Date: 2005-02-28

Tracks:

1. Some Cities
2. Black and White Town
3. Almost Forgot Myself
4. Snowden
5. Storm
6. Walk in Fire
7. One of These Days
8. Someday Soon
9. Shadows of Salford
10. Sky Starts Falling
11. Ambition

Tracks:

1. [DVD]

Album Details

DVD is NTSC format, region code 0

Customer Reviews:

Walk in fire.......2005-03-09

Three years have passed since the Doves put out the outstanding "Last Broadcast." Their third album, "Some Cities" take a slightly different tack. While their music is as powerful as ever, the Doves try some new musical styles -- ballads and a bit of dancepop -- woven in with the guitar rock. It may take a little while to grow on listeners, but it's worth it.

The songs are somewhat smaller in scale than what the Doves have done before. Instead of going for a continuously epic sound, the Doves opt for a more intimate sound to go with their home-village theme -- gentler, sadder and sometimes sweetier. In short, they go for gentle, eerie music, not dark grandeur. At least, not all the time.

The lead single "Black and White Town" strips things down to wavering keyboards and an insistent drumbeat. Some veer towards eerie sadness like "Someday Soon," while others retain the larger-than-life quality of the Doves' past work, complete with choruses and expansive vistas. These variations -- some little and sweet, some intricate -- make the album seem more musically mature.

There is also a bonus DVD accompanying the original CD, and it's an okay accompaniment -- not exactly packed with goodies, but fans might like it. Among the items on it are a photo gallery and a video for "Black and White Town," which are particularly good.

It's always a shock to go home after a few years away, and discover the changes that people living there haven't even noticed. In a way, it's watching an old life slipping away. And it feels like the guys from Manchester are having a rude awakening to this in "Some Cities."

Not that everything here is depressing -- "Black and White Town" sounds like it was tailor-made to be a hit, with bored-youth lyrics and a dancey beat. It reaches back, maybe, to the Doves origins as "Sub Sub," a dance pop group. And the next-to-last song changes the mood to one of optimism. But reflections on their hometown and the past overshadow these, and lend the album the mournful beauty that the Doves do so well.

There has always been a symphonic sound to the Doves' music, and they apparently aren't about to change that. Not that I'm complaining -- few bands can pair crunchy guitars and synth with classical strings. At least, few can do it without sounding like they are trying too hard. In the case of the Doves, the classical edge merely adds a gloss to the panoramic rock music.

"Some Cities" lets the Doves stretch their wings (pun unintended, I swear), with some exquisite new musical styles and a poignant look back at their hometown. Absolutely stunning.

Average customer rating:

Some Cities Doves Manufacturer: EMI ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Dream Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music ASIN: B0007KVB3I

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