I’ve only ever been moderately impressed with the Doves. They seem to do everything ‘right’ but seldom anything different or original enough to mark them out as special. So when I received LOST SIDES, a collection of b-sides and previously unreleased remixes (2 CDs), I was expecting good not great. I was not expecting ’surprised’…

The first disc opens with an instrumental introduction called Break Me Gently, a beautiful, brief interlude that melts into track 2, Darker. I can’t imagine a song being more Radiohead than this. Its backdrop of clattering, relentless drumbeats; echoed, distant vocal and dark ambience mark this is as special, no, very special. In fact it’s as good if not better than Radiohead material. Your Shadow Lay Across My Life reverts back to more conventional Doves but still retains a difference especially in the instrumental area. Meet Me At The Pier opens with fabulous, atmospheric Hammond and metallic guitar strum before the vocal sigh enters. It’s a remarkable instrumental song with a sonic ambience that fairly flashes out of the speakers, and with a tangible melody to complete the package. Electronic keyboard notes dominate the opening to another atmospheric, dramatic stunner, Down To Sea. Here the instrumental equivalent to waves crashing is meticulously, and brilliantly executed. The echoed vocal adds to the amazing ambience created. Crunch accurately describes a relentless pounding of drums and thrashed guitars that periodically reminds me of Queen’s Flash Gordon movie theme. It’s another stunning instrumental track.

Zither has Zorba The Greek and other movie theme moments that combine to make another quite amazing short instrumental track. Valley highlights the remarkable recording quality on show here as a wonderful vocal, great melody and sparkling instrumentals drive the song along. Another great instrumental track follows, and then Hit The Ground Running with its strong punk/trad rock undercurrent that is as refreshing as it exciting. Willow’s Song sounds like a version of the song that was so seductively sung by a naked Britt Eklund through a paper-thin wall to a frustrated Edward Woodward in the movie Wicker Man. This version is quite, quite beautiful. The first disc ends with another charming and ghostly song, Far From Grace that is dominated by instruments and intersected by wonderful echoed vocals.

Disc 2 on this Limited Edition version includes remixes by Echoboy, Four Tet, Chris Coco, Rebelski, Magnet and others. Songs included are Words, N.Y., M62 Song, The Last Broadcast, The Sulphur Man, Where we’re Calling From, and Satellites. What’s interesting about this bonus disc is that the treatment of the songs brings them into line with the songs on disc 1 in ambient and sonic terms.

This is an extraordinary collection that, for me, has thrown a new and much brighter light on the talents the band possesses. In fact so much so that this album of ‘cuttings from the production room floor’ could well make it to our selection of best albums of 2003. Audio sound quality is quite startling with a sharpness, definition and vivacity that one seldom hears in today’s recordings (especially on disc 2). This is a song collection that all Doves fans should possess without a moment’s thought (and availability on this 2CD version I understand is strictly Limited, so you’ll have to hurry!). Remarkable and inspiring stuff.

4.5/5