Urban Hymns

by The Verve

Overview

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

Product Details

Release Date:	09/16/2016
Label:	Polydor
UPC:	0602547870148
Rank:	22398

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Bitter Sweet Symphony
2. Sonnet
3. The Rolling People
4. The Drugs Don't Work
5. Catching the Butterfly
6. Neon Wilderness
7. Space and Time

Disc 2

8. Weeping Willow
9. Lucky Man
10. One Day
11. This Time
12. Velvet Morning
13. Come On

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Verve   Primary Artist
Simon Jones   Guitar (Bass)
The Andrew Oldham Orchestra   Orchestra
Richard Ashcroft   Guitar,Vocals
Peter Salisbury   Drums
Simon Tong   Guitar,Keyboards
Nick McCabe   Guitar,Lead Guitar
Brian Cannon   Director
Martin Catherall   Director
Mathew Sankey   Director
Wil Malone   Conductor

Technical Credits

Chris Potter   Engineer,Producer,Mixing Engineer,Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Direction,Mastering,Remastering,Additional Production
Andrew Loog Oldham   Producer
Simon Jones   Composer
Christopher Marc Potter   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Richard Ashcroft   Composer
Peter Salisbury   Composer,Producer
Owen Morris   Producer
Lorraine Francis   Assistant Engineer
The Verve   Composer,Producer
Tony Cousins   Remastering
Youth   Producer
Simon Tong   Composer
Keith Richards   Composer
John Leckie   Producer
Nick McCabe   Composer,Producer
Mel Wesson   Programming
Mick Jagger   Composer
Brian Cannon   Design,Sleeve Art
Martin Catherall   Design Assistant
Walter Stern   Direction
Andy Baybutt   Direction
Jan "Stan" Kybert   Assistant Engineer
Gareth Ashton   Assistant Engineer
Michael Spencer Jones   Photography
John Horsley   Photography
Paul Anthony Taylor   Programming
Chris Floyd   Photography
Jamie Thraves   Direcccion de Cuerdas
Mathew Sankey   Design Assistant
Wil Malone   String Arrangements
George Hanson   Direction
Chris Porter   Mixing,Additional Production