Doves – Constellations For The Lonely (EMI North)
Let us consider Doves, the Manchunian trio who has been making music together, on and off, for over 25 years.
Here now is their sixth album, Constellations For The Lonely, one that they, themselves describe as “a dark album”.
Perhaps that darkness can be attributed to the mental health and substance abuse issues that singer/songwriter bassist Jimi Goodwin has been battling over the past few years.
The band was forced to cancel a tour promoting their “comeback” album, The Universal Want in 2021 claiming, “performing live isn’t possible for us at this time or in the immediate future”.
So they are giving it another go.
These days, perhaps in an effort to take some of the pressure off Goodwin, brothers Andy (drums) and Jez (guitar) Williams are taking over some of the lead vocal duties on the new album, and, as it turn out, when Doves do tour, they will be without Goodwin, replacing him with two touring-only musicians.
At all sounds a bit tenuous.
So, what does the record sound like?
Things start out well enough…that’s Jimi singing lead on opening track, Renegade, while the keys, guitars and drums make an exhilarating noise behind him. Lyrically, it does get a bit dark…rain falls down, everything expirees…classic Doves.
But Jez takes over on Cold Dreaming, and with Doves’ big sound is intact, Williams’ voice sounds thin and nasally, even as he optimistically sings, ”here comes summer”.
Democratization is not always the best way forward for bands (see CCR) and this listener feels let down Not hearing Goodwin’s more familiar and more effective tones.
Fortunately, it’s only an issue on a few tracks.
Jez manages to hold his own on the Floydian Strange Weather and Last Year’s Man…but only just. Jimi saves the day with the final four, beginning with Stupid Schemes, a melodic rocker with some tasty wah wah guitar.
Then there is Saint Teresa, a mandolin-infused tune with interesting lyrics…”Her fingers are in Avila, her jawbone is in Rome. St. Teresa, with your body in different places, you are truly without a home”.
While Doves come across as rudderless during the first half of Constellations, it all comes together by the time we get to the simmering intensity of Orlando and closer Southern Bell…a ballad that has me thinking of the acoustic side of Led Zeppelin mixed with Radiohead…certainly not a bad thing.
“We’ll go on forever” they sing, ending the album on a high note.
It remains to be seen how Doves story will play out and we certainly wish Jimi Goodwin well. Let’s hope Andy and Jez can hold down the fort until Jimi is back to full strength.
Marty Duda
Constellations For The Lonely is due to be released on Friday, February 28th on EMI North
