Doves @ ABC, 15 Mar

Doves are out of practice. Tonight they return after four years' absence to play their high-quality songs to a supportive audience, but fail to draw out the best in their material. Encouragingly, new single Kingdom of Rust is a highlight, Martin Rebelski's neat treble work on keyboard crystalising the sound and a two-step rhythm giving dynamism to proceedings that had otherwise started slowly. However, other new songs are somewhat lost throughout a fuggy set that has none of the smart pacing Doves have demonstrated on previous tours, while (should-be) sure-fire winners like Pounding and Words respectively suffer from looseness and flatness. Fortunately the band rouse themselves for a strong encore: an older b-side, Northenden makes for a reflective moment, while Here It Comes and The Last Broadcast build the atmosphere before a triumphant There Goes The Fear climaxes to a genuinely euphoric finale. For sure, it's good to have Doves back; they just need a few more shows to sharpen up.