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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 /TiVo
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Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KEITH RICHARDS, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, ComposerLyricist - Paul Taylor, Programmer - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Potter, Producer, Mastering Engineer, Additional Mixer, Additional Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mel Wesson, Programmer - Wil Malone, String Arranger, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Youth, Producer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lorraine Francis, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, Producer, MainArtist - Gareth Ashton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sabian Drazen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2016 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Taylor, Programmer - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Potter, Producer, Mastering Engineer, Additional Mixer, Additional Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mel Wesson, Programmer - Youth, Producer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lorraine Francis, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, Producer, MainArtist - Gareth Ashton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sabian Drazen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2016 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Taylor, Programmer - Richard Ashcroft, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Potter, Producer, Mastering Engineer, Additional Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Composer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mel Wesson, Programmer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lorraine Francis, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Salisbury, Composer, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Composer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, Producer, MainArtist - Gareth Ashton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sabian Drazen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2016 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Taylor, Programmer - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Potter, Producer, Mastering Engineer, Additional Mixer, Additional Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mel Wesson, Programmer - Youth, Producer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lorraine Francis, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, Producer, MainArtist - Gareth Ashton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sabian Drazen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2016 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Taylor, Programmer - Richard Ashcroft, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Potter, Producer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Composer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mel Wesson, Programmer - Simon Tong, Composer, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lorraine Francis, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Salisbury, Composer, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Composer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, Producer, MainArtist - Gareth Ashton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sabian Drazen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2016 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Taylor, Programmer - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Potter, Producer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mel Wesson, Programmer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lorraine Francis, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - The Verve, Producer, MainArtist - Gareth Ashton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sabian Drazen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2016 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Taylor, Programmer - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Potter, Producer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mel Wesson, Programmer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lorraine Francis, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, Producer, MainArtist - Gareth Ashton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sabian Drazen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2016 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Taylor, Programmer - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Potter, Producer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mel Wesson, Programmer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lorraine Francis, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, Producer, MainArtist - Gareth Ashton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sabian Drazen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2016 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Taylor, Programmer - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Potter, Producer, Mastering Engineer, Additional Mixer, Additional Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mel Wesson, Programmer - Youth, Producer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lorraine Francis, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, Producer, MainArtist - Gareth Ashton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sabian Drazen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2016 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Taylor, Programmer - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Potter, Producer, Mastering Engineer, Additional Mixer, Additional Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mel Wesson, Programmer - Youth, Producer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lorraine Francis, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, Producer, MainArtist - Gareth Ashton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sabian Drazen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2016 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Taylor, Programmer - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Potter, Producer, Mastering Engineer, Additional Mixer, Additional Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mel Wesson, Programmer - Youth, Producer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lorraine Francis, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, Producer, MainArtist - Gareth Ashton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sabian Drazen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2016 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Taylor, Programmer - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Potter, Producer, Mastering Engineer, Additional Mixer, Additional Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mel Wesson, Programmer - Youth, Producer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lorraine Francis, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, Producer, MainArtist - Gareth Ashton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sabian Drazen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2016 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul Taylor, Programmer - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Potter, Producer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Mel Wesson, Programmer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lorraine Francis, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, Producer, MainArtist - Gareth Ashton, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sabian Drazen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2016 Virgin Records Limited
DISC 2
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Ashcroft, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Potter, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Composer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Salisbury, Composer, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Composer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, MainArtist
℗ 2017 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Potter, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, MainArtist
℗ 2017 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Ashcroft, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Potter, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Composer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Tong, Composer, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Salisbury, Composer, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Composer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, MainArtist
℗ 2017 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Potter, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, MainArtist
℗ 2017 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Ashcroft, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Potter, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Composer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Salisbury, Composer, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Composer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, MainArtist
℗ 2017 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Potter, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, MainArtist
℗ 2017 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Potter, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, MainArtist
℗ 2017 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Potter, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, MainArtist
℗ 2017 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Potter, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - The Verve, MainArtist
℗ 2017 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Potter, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, MainArtist
℗ 2017 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KEITH RICHARDS, ComposerLyricist - MICK JAGGER, ComposerLyricist - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Potter, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, MainArtist
℗ 2017 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Potter, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - The Verve, MainArtist
℗ 2017 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Ashcroft, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Potter, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Composer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Salisbury, Composer, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Nick McCabe, Composer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - The Verve, MainArtist
℗ 2017 Virgin Records Limited
Tony Cousins, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Richard Ashcroft, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Potter, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Simon Jones, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Simon Tong, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Salisbury, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Nick McCabe, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - The Verve, MainArtist
℗ 2017 Virgin Records Limited
Album review
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 /TiVo
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 27 track(s)
- Total length: 02:34:54
- Main artists: The Verve
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: UMC (Universal Music Catalogue)
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 2017 Virgin Records Limited ℗ 2017 Virgin Records Limited
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