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The Verve Urban Hymns Release Date: 1997 09 30 Label: Japanese Import Rating:

Not long after the release of A Northern Soul, the Verve imploded due to friction between vocalist Richard Ashcroft and guitarist Nick McCabe. It looked like the band had ended before reaching its full potential, which is part of the reason why their third album, Urban Hymns -- recorded after the pair patched things up in late 1996 -- is so remarkable. Much of the record consists of songs Ashcroft had intended for a solo project or a new group, yet Urban Hymns unmistakably sounds like the work of a full band, with its sweeping, grandiose soundscapes and sense of purpose. The Verve have toned down their trancy, psychedelic excursions, yet haven't abandoned them -- if anything, they sound more muscular than before, whether it's the trippy "Catching the Butterfly" or the pounding "Come On." These powerful, guitar-drenched rockers provide the context for Ashcroft's affecting, string-laden ballads, which give Urban Hymns its hurt. The majestic "Bitter Sweet Symphony" and the heartbreaking, country-tinged "The Drugs Don't Work" are an astonishing pair, two anthemic ballads that make the personal universal, thereby sounding like instant classics. They just are the tip of the iceberg -- "Sonnet" is a lovely, surprisingly understated ballad, "The Rolling People" has a measured, electric power, and many others match their quality. Although it may run a bit too long for some tastes, Urban Hymns is a rich album that revitalizes rock traditions without ever seeming less than contemporary. It is the album the Verve have been striving to make since their formation, and it turns out to be worth all the wait. Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Tracks:

	Title	Composer	Time
1	Bittersweet Symphony	Jagger, Ashcroft, Richards	5:58
2	Sonnet	Ashcroft	4:21
3	Rolling People	Verve	7:01
4	Drugs Don't Work	Ashcroft	5:05
5	Catching the Butterfly	Verve	6:26
6	Neon Wilderness	Verve, McCabe	2:37
7	Space and Time	Ashcroft	5:36
8	Weeping Willow	Ashcroft	4:49
9	Lucky Man	Ashcroft	4:53
10	One Day	Ashcroft	5:03
11	This Time	Ashcroft	3:50
12	Velvet Morning	Ashcroft	4:57
13	Come On	Verve	15:15

Other Releases:

Urban Hymns [Bonus Track] Release Date: 2004 Label: Toshiba

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