Show Review

You have to be something of the real thing to take the stage across the street from Fenway while the Sox are in town. You’d better have something to show for it, to compete with the energy boiling over Landsdowne Street. Then again, The Doves are from Manchester, England, so the grit and ire that comes with a Friday night and a few pints is nothing new.

Mercury Rev, however gave me pause. Against the backdrop of abstract visuals and various quotes, front man Jonathan Donahue carried on like an ecstasy-ridden Kermit the Frog. It was hard for me to understand how the band’s sweeping ballads were actually being upstaged by their own singer. But to the Band’s credit – the music won me over after a few songs. They created their own energy and pulse that became easier and easier to grab hold of. By the end of their set, it was not difficult to catch the wave Donahue had been riding.

However, as soon as the Doves took the stage, it was like a bunch of friends sliding into your corner booth pitchers in hand. Without pretense or posturing, The Doves energy swept the room with a kind of genuine release. This is probably why front man, Jimi Goodwin had balls enough to speak with his audience without fear of offending anyone, “I was driving around Boston today and I have to ask ya, do you all have to be on acid in order to get your licenses?”

Playing a lot from their newest album Some Cities and their second full-length The Last Broadcast – The Doves definitely put on a good show. However, hardcore friends might have been disappointed that little B-Sides or EP tracks made the play list. Twin brothers, Jez (guitar) and Andy Williams (drums) and Jimi certainly have chemistry on stage and more importantly an ability to include the audience in their fun. It didn’t seem as if Jez played much off script, which he’s been known to do and may have made the show more interesting. The guitars seemed muted or slightly guarded. Whether that was a sound issue or not, I’m not sure. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem as if they broke out of their own mold until the final encore of “There Goes the Fear.”

That should not be interpreted as this was a bad show – The Doves are a great live band and fans should be on the look out for a live CD and definitely try to catch them when they come to town.

E.C. Thomas is an independent filmmaker, photographer and writer in Boston: dragonflyROAR.com