Back in the early days of rock and roll, bands were required to release a few albums a year--not to mention additional EPs, singles, and fan-club exclusives. Not so in the 21st century, as groups tinker on the margins like tortoises, taking their sweet time to perfect their latest sonic delectations.

It's been four long years since anthemic Manchester doom-mongers Doves [ tickets ] cast off their last record, "Some Cities." And while their new one, "Kingdom Of Rust," certainly isn't a clunker, it's tough to see where all the time went. On the whole, it's basically more of the same, building on the established Doves template of doom-laden uplift. The tracks that do try something new, however, wind up being the least exciting moments on the record.

Lead-off track "Jetstream" is one of those stylistic departures, marrying a "Shaft"-style hi-hat pulse to Vangelis-like keyboard poundings, all in an attempt to conjure big-time ambience. It's fine, but nothing to write home about. Another uncomfortable stretch comes with "Compulsion," a retro-disco throwback that sounds like a goth cousin to Blondie's "Rapture."

The band's on far surer footing when it doesn't deviate from the classic Doves sound. It's not surprising that the first single is the title track, with its wonderfully gloomy, country-style shuffle and chiming, bell-like flourishes. My other favorite, and hopeful contender for second single, is "Winter Hill," a nice little rocker with a psychedelic whirlwind of a middle section.

Overall, there's nothing here that blew my mind, but the good stuff is good enough that if Doves decide to build on what makes this band special sometime within the next half-decade, methinks they just may have a shot at making a great album.