Instant music review – The Verve
Posted by vineetgupta on March 23, 2008
Vital statistics
First Studio Album: 1993
Category by age: C (More info here)
Genre: Rock/Space Rock
First heard it: A year ago
If you can listen to just one song, listen to: Bitter Sweet Symphony
The Verve is a British rock band, supposedly one of the greatest bands in the world.
I stumbled upon the Verve entirely by accident about a year ago while watching the movie Cruel intentions. The track that plays at the end of the movie is Bitter Sweet Symphony. I was hooked instantly.
The music style is completely different from any other band I’ve listened to. “Space Rock” is a term the internet threw at me, and somehow, it seems to fit perfectly. Synthesizers and guitars are used with perfect harmony to create something which falls smack in the realm of psychedelia. The overall sound is dreamy and surreal, with lyrics plastered on in perfect timing.
Individual Album Review (More info here)
A Storm in Heaven (1993)
Their first album. None of the songs meets the cut.
A Northern Soul (1995)
Urban Hymns (1997)
Awww yeah! The whiff of genius.
Final Verdict:You don’t really deserve to be called the greatest when you’ve got a total of three albums, one crap and one just above average. What I’d rather say is this – Urban Hymns is one of the greatest albums I’ve ever heard. It was a landmark in my music listening experience and converted me into a hardcore fan. The Verve split up in 1999. Last year, the band reunited and a new studio album is expected this year. The Verve is not the greatest… Not yet. Let’s see if they can repeat Urban Hymns.
Ravi Sreenivasan said
I heard “Bitter Sweet Symphony” about a decade back! That was the only track from Urban Hymns I felt like listening to back then as a 10th grader!
So you say the entire album is great?
I need to give it an ear soon!
vineetgupta said
Yes, you do. Its an incredible album.
ryt said
a storm in heaven is their best album followed by northern soul
the reviewer is only a fan of their more radio friendly songs (urban hymns)
whilst the extended jams of asih is the verve at their best particularly their wizard
guitarist mccabe