... This track and the CD it comes from "Urban Hymns" is an anthem for the 90's.
Other brilliant tracks such as "The Drugs Don't Work" and "Lucky Man" make this a CD to be played and played.
But then they split , just as I had opened my Music Ears to them they had gone. Never mind , a ... Read review
that they quit when they were at the pinnacle of their success, sparing their faithful followers an unsightly degeneration. Urban Hymns is a fitting final testament to Wigan's favourite sons, as Richard Ashcroft and Nick McCabe temporarily buried the hatchet and reformed one of Britain's greatest songwriting partnerships since Lennon and McCartney. From the unmistakable introductory chords of "Bittersweet Symphony" to the sheer pop perfection of "Lucky Man" via stoner rock-outs like "Weeping Willow" and the call to arms that is "Come On", every track justifies its presence by being part of a cohesive whole. Their previous album A Northern Soul was already marked down in the annals of rock history as a classic; Urban Hymns surpasses it and then some. --Helen Marquis
Urban Hymns - The Verve
Calling it a day in early 1999 was probably the best thing the Verve ever did, as it meant ... more
that they quit when they were at the pinnacle of their success, sparing their faithful followers an unsightly degeneration.Urban Hymnsis a fitting final testament to Wigan's favourite sons, as Richard Ashcroft and Nick McCabe temporarily buried the hatchet and reformed one of Britain's greatest songwriting partnerships since Lennon and McCartney. From the unmistakable introductory chords of "Bittersweet Symphony" to the sheer pop perfection of "Lucky Man" via stoner rock-outs like "Weeping Willow" and the call to arms that is "Come On", every track justifies its presence by being part of a cohesive whole. Their previous albumA Northern Soulwas already marked down in the annals of rock history as a classic;Urban Hymnssurpasses it and then some.--Helen Marquis
that they quit when they were at the pinnacle of their success, sparing their faithful followers an unsightly degeneration.Urban Hymnsis a fitting final testament to Wigan's favourite sons, as Richard Ashcroft and Nick McCabe temporarily buried the hatchet and reformed one of Britain's greatest songwriting partnerships since Lennon and McCartney. From the unmistakable introductory chords of "Bittersweet Symphony" to the sheer pop perfection of "Lucky Man" via stoner rock-outs like "Weeping Willow" and the call to arms that is "Come On", every track justifies its presence by being part of a cohesive whole. Their previous albumA Northern Soulwas already marked down in the annals of rock history as a classic;Urban Hymnssurpasses it and then some.--Helen Marquis
A review by richardandkaye on Urban Hymns - Verve (The) September 21st, 2000
Author's product rating:
Originality
Groundbreaking
Lyrics
Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks
Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
Value for Money
Advantages:
outstanding
Disadvantages:
shame they have split
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
It always takes me a little time to adjust to a new music taste or Band , The Verve were a classic example of this.
I like to live in my comfort zone and don't like to admit to liking these rough looking groups.
Can you remember the video to "Bitter Sweet Symphony" an arrogant Richard Ashcroft walking down a street pushing old ladies out of the way. This is just not cricket.
Then I told myself to grow up and listen to the quality of the music. This track and the CD it comes from "Urban Hymns" is an anthem for the 90's.
Other brilliant tracks such as "The Drugs Don't Work" and "Lucky Man" make this a CD to be played and played.
But then they split , just as I had opened my Music Ears to them they had gone. Never mind , a CD to treasure in my collection.
Advantages: Some real good songs, Verves best album. Disadvantages: Its a shame they are no more.
How very dissapointing it is to see the Verve split up after their finest album to date. The band decided to go their seperate ways just as they had combined to produce one of the best albums of the year and finally had made headways into the musical scene. From the bombastic chart topping "Bitter Sweet Symphony" to the last track "Come On", Richard Ashcroft and his songs take you through a haunting and beautiful album. Lyrics are good, and the album ... ...the rather depressing and much acclaimed "The Drugs Dont Work" as well as "Velvet Morning". This is a great album, worthy in a good collection. Its a shame the Verve never had a chance to see whether they wee talented and capable enough to better it. It would have been a tough ask! ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Classic, awe inspiring, cheap Disadvantages: some people may say dreary, some people may say lack of variety, I don't
...captures the concept of an Urban Hymn.
Track Eight, Weeping Willow, another average track in my opinion, very Vervey though, not much to complain about though, not my type of song really.
Track Nine, Lucky Man, this is one of the best tracks, another release, excellent lyrics, use of sound, very passionate too, a classic.
Track Ten, One Day, another pretty average track, very dreary at times.
Track Eleven, This Time, once again not much effort ... ...“track”, I am not too sure how this got through onto an album, sounds like some sort of experimental session, I dunno, is it art?
Urban Hymns is a classic album, it deserves all the credit it has, and captures brilliantly the Verve’s talent, shame they are no more…. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: loads of great music Disadvantages: none
This great album from The Verve must be one of the best albums ever created, although the verve have split they still sell many copies of their singles and their album in music stores today. This album has most of The Verves greatest ever achievements with songs like 'Luckyman', 'The Drugs Dont Work', 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' and my personal favourite 'Sonnet'. Their music is the most relaxing music around and i could listen to the album on repeat ... ...albums. Since the band split a couple of years back Richard Ashcroft (the lead singer) has went on to produce many great singles of his own and has still maintained the standards set by his earlier band 'The Verve'. I can honestly recommend this album to anybody.
I hhope this has been of help to you, thanx. ...
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Advantages: Everything Disadvantages: Neon Wilderness, but I'm being picky
...can take anything away from Urban Hymns, the Verve's most popular and best album. These songs rank alongside some of the true indie legends, Supersonic by Oasis, The Day We Caught the Train by Ocean Colour Scene, Oh Yeah by Ash, All You Good Good People by Embrace, Alright by Supergrass, Parklife by Blur, Love is the Law by The Seahorses, The Drugs Don't Work/Lucky Man/Bittersweet Symphony/Sonnet by The Verve. Everybody knows them, and still loves ... ...Peter Salisbury (drums), The Verve's Urban Hymns comprises of thirteen different yet strangely similar and familiar songs. the album kicks off with Bitter Sweet Symphony and Sonnet,two of the most well known, and best tracks. They are followed by The Rolling People (which has grown on me but I still don't really like) and the thought provoking The Drugs Don't Work. Then the album enters its unknown phase, of Catching The Butterfly, Neon Wilderness, ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: A Classic, don't be put off by the 'Britpop' label, it's just great music Disadvantages: The last Verve album. A couple of album fillers
Urban Hymns is the last "The Verve" album (they have split before but this time is almost certainty *it*). Richard Ashcroft's vocal talents are fully shown off by this album. Although The Verve are likely to be remembered for "Bitter Sweet Symphony" (Rolling Stones sample)and "The Drugs Don't Work" (simply to Embrace) and "Lucky Man" there are far more gems waiting to be discovered on the album.
The rocking "Come On", and soul food "One Day" "This ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Every song is brilliant Disadvantages: None
...I have been fan of the British Indie scene for about 15 years, and this is by far the best album that I have heard from that genre in all that time. I never thought I would find myself saying that about an album, particular when compared to the stunning OK Computer (Radiohead), UrbanHymns (theVerve) and The Man Who (Travis). To say that the album rates alongside those greats would be praise indeed, so to surpass them (at least in my opinion) is one hell of an achievement. From the stomping "The Bartender and the Thief", to the haunting "Hurry Up and Wait", this album has everything. If you only buy one album this year, then make sure its this one....
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: back to basic Disadvantages: sometimes boring
...It certainly looks like it when you listen to his solo debut 'Alone With Everybody'. The question is: is this a positive or a negative evolution?
To be honest, I can only compare with 'UrbanHymns', The Verve's brilliant and last album (TheVerve were/are pretty underground here, and except for 'Urban', it's hard to find their stuff). Starting with the brilliant 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' (the violins!!!), you think everything will be ok forever, but it never gets dull, thanks to the rock'n'roll vibe the record certainly has.
And that is the only problem with the solo material: it has lost the rock... Richard has certainly learned how to make his songs more basic, and you can clearly hear the disappearance of drugs out of his life. He HAS grown up, is now a father, and is - well - quiet, and peaceful. You can hear this in beautiful...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Label / Distributor: Hut / EMI Operations/CEVA Logistics
Engineer: Chris Potter
Pieces in Set: 1
Studio / Live: Studio
Stereo: Stereo
Format: Performer
EAN: 724384491321
Catalogue Number: CDHUT 45
Additional notes
Album Notes: URBAN HYMNS contains a hidden track after "Come On." The Verve: Richard Ashcroft (vocals, guitar); Simon Tong (guitar, keyboards); Nick McCabe (guitar); Simon Jones (bass); Peter Salisbury (drums). Additional personnel: Mel Wesson, Paul Taylor (programming). Producers: Andrew Loog Oldham, Youth, The Verve, Chris Potter. "Bitter Sweet Symphony" was nominated for the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or A Group With Vocal and Best Rock Song. On URBAN HYMNS The Verve continues to widen the creative spectrum of psychedelic Britrock. The Verve exhibits a great deal of musical depth as they blanket "Bitter Sweet Symphony" with a full string section, employ acoustic guitars to evoke the simple, Carpenters-ish sentiments of "Sonnet" and "The Drugs Don't Work," and utilize heavily processed guitars on "Weeping Willow." Whether exploring the loud or soft extremes of their dynamic range, the band aspires to classic songwriting, tastefully incorporating retro sensibilities with sweet-sounding hooks that yield a tranquil, pastoral beauty.
Album Reviews: Q (10/01, p.81) - Ranked #18 in Q's "Best 50 Albums of Q's Lifetime" Q (12/99, p.92) - Included in Q Magazine's "90 Best Albums Of The 1990s." Village Voice (2/24/98) - Ranked #18 in the Village Voice's 1997 Pazz & Jop Critics' Poll. Q (1/98, p.115) - Included in Q Magazine's "50 Best Albums of 1997." Melody Maker (12/20-27/97, pp.66-67) - Ranked #1 on Melody Maker's list of 1997's "Albums Of The Year." NME (12/20-27/97, pp.78-79) - Ranked #3 in NME's 1997 Critics' Poll. Q (6/00, p.69) - Ranked #58 in Q's "100 Greatest British Albums" - "...Rose to national anthem league, an appeal to a post-club generation who now use rock'n'roll as a comedown aid..." Q (7/00, p.141) - Included in Q's "The Best Male Angst Albums Of All Time" Rolling Stone (10/16/97, pp.104-106) - 3.5 Stars (out of 5) - "...their strongest album to date....the songs on URBAN HYMNS are anchored by propulsive guitar rhythms and sinuous, infectious vocals....a breathtaking venture, an ambitious balance of stargazing and worldweary pathos." Melody Maker (10/4/97, p.51) - "...An album of unparalleled beauty so intent on grabbing at the strands of music's multi-hued history....all songs which sound like they've lived a little more than most." NME (9/27/97, p.54) - 8 (out of 10) - "....Its sheer magnificence and spirit is such that the danger of it overwhelming anything that follows it is obvious. This, after all, is the musical signature of the year....The Verve's best album to date..." Entertainment Weekly (10/10/97, p.92) - "...a surprising--and stunning--comeback from Britain's shoe-gazing shamans the Verve, resurrected after two splintered years. Crooner Richard Ashcroft makes it all sound like churchworthy gospel." - Rating: B+
Titles on disc 1
1.: Bittersweet Symphony
2.: Sonnet
3.: Rolling People
4.: Drugs Don't Work
5.: Catching The Butterfly
6.: Neon Wilderness
7.: Space And Time
8.: Weeping Willow
9.: Lucky Man
10.: One Day
11.: This Time
12.: Velevet Morning
13.: Come On
14.: Deep Freeze
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