The Verve - Urban Hymns (CD 1997)

The Verve came onto the scene with some fantastic new music.
The Drugs don't work and Bitter Sweet Symphony are all time classics and it is worth buying this album on the pure strength of these songs. I have never been a big Verve fan, but this album brought back many smiles as I relived my youth.... and don't forget Fat Les and the Vindaloo Team mocking the video for Bitter Sweet Symphony, CLASSIC.

The Frankie One

This is a bit depressing, but urban at its very best, full of wonderful music, brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Urban Hymns - for me the greatest record of all time. If I can somehow convey at least a part of the reason why I believe this to be true, I'll have done well. Because it's hard to put into words how good this album really is. Both musically and lyrically, it is as close to perfection as I think any record will ever get.

There are four very famous songs on here, but they are just one dimension to Urban Hymns, there is so much more to this record than the first four singles. Even so, each is outstanding. Bitter Sweet Symphony is emphatic, euphoric and exhilarating. The strings begin, but once the beat kicks in it sends a chill down my spine. Sonnet is sweet, a beautiful acoustic song. The Drugs Don't Work was number one on the day of Princess Diana's death. It has another beautiful acoustic melody, but The Verve are so good at adding depth to their songs, this is them at their best. And Lucky Man, if I had to choose, this is my favourite song on the album. It has been such an inspiration to me at difficult times of my life, whenever I feel low I can play it and it reminds me of who I am.

Then there are the nine other songs here which really make the album into what it is - a masterpiece. That word is overused a lot in music but here it truly does apply. There are three songs I'd like to point out here, which show that The Verve are more than just a one man show, and that they know how to rock out as well. The Rolling People is a huge song, full of spark and craft, "here we are the Rolling People, can't stay for long, we gotta go." Weeping Willow is the hidden gem on this record, if you aren't paying attention it can pass you by, but stop and pause to listen to this because I assure you it will grab you and suck you in. This is one of the most intense songs I've ever heard. I'd been playing this album for seven years before I discovered how great Weeping Willow "the pills under my pillow" really was. Then there is the raging climax - Come On. It is completely different to all that went before because rather than encouraging you to reflect, it encourages you to stand up and shout, with a fist in the air, "**** you - Come On!" I cannot think of a better way to end an album like this, one that takes you on such a life affirming journey, than to finish with such a jubilant celebration.

And still, there so many more great songs on Urban Hymns... "I'm gonna keep Catching That Butterfly in that dream of mine... in a Neon Wilderness, he was restless... there ain't no Space And Time to keep our love alive... maybe One Day we will dance again... good times are hard to hold, This Time I'm gonna find... into the half light, another Velvet Morning".

Altogether, these thirteen songs make up seventy-six minutes of pure genius from start to finish. It represents a great year in modern history, 1997, a year of hope; expectation, celebration and tragedy; but in the end, this album is completely timeless. I love it.

Quite simply, listen to thios album and it will change your life, its a journey and of course well summed up by the mphatic "bittersweet symphany" whta more can be said, dont imbarass yourself by not purchasing

If you liked the Brit pop era, Oasis etc then this is one for you. Such classy melodies deserve to be herd. Raw, streetwise and 100% British Flex.Some absoulute classics on this cd, such a distinctive sound. Buy it now.

If you only ever have a handfull of records in your collection, this should be one of them. One of the best albums ever made. an instant classic

ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS FROM THE LAST DECADE. DEFINITELY A MUST FOR EVERYONE'S CD COLLECTION IF ONLY FOR THE SAKE OF THE HAUNTING CLASSIC "BITTER SWEET SYMPHONY". RICHARD ASHCROFT (LEAD VOCALIST) IS RAW TALENT IN HIS MUSIC AND LYRIC WRITING AND HIS WORK WITH "THE VERVE" IS SIMPLY HIS BEST EVER. EVERY SONG ON THIS ALBUM CAN BE LISTENED TO REPEATEDLY WITHOUT TIRING OF THE FANTASTIC MELODIES AND ORIGINAL TRACKS. I BELEIVE THAT THIS WILL ALWAYS BE A CLASSIC ITEM - HELD UP WITH THE DEFINITIVE ALBUMS OF THE 90'S GENERATION - AND MANY OTHERS WILL FALL AT EVEN COMING CLOSE TO THE OUTSTANDING LYRICAL ABILITIES OF ASHCROFT.

Frist brought this cd in 1997 when it 1st came out and it's not been out of my cd draw since!!! well only when I replaced it !!! it has excellent song's it's addictive listening,& definitley grow's on you. Relax and savour Richard Ashcroft smooth voice too ease away the strees of the modern day!!! and it's one for doing your housework too, Excellent song's. Would recommendit's AMAZING.

low mark case the cd was slightly sratched and it was all most 2 weeks to get to me

bottom line it got here in the end and it plays

GREAT ALBUM, ONE OF THE GREATEST OF THE 1990 ,AND ANYTHING ON EBAY WHICH YOU CAN GET FOR A BARGAIN IS ONLY GOOD AND THIS DEFINITELY WAS.PLUS A GOOD SELLER AND GOOD FEEDBACK

husband delighted with this product never off the cd player its driving me mad maybe will need to hide it as the girls are going mad

The first time i heard tracks from this album they were being played on a late night Radio Station, At the time i was working as a mobile supervisor for a well known Security Company, I pulled off the road and just sat there listening to "The drugs don't work" Richard Ashcrofts vocals were brilliant, the track became an instant favourite of mine, in fact i went out the next day and bought a copy of "Urban Hymns" for my collection, I've listened to it so many times i have lost count,in fact i played it that much i wore the CD out and have since had to go out to buy another!...Highly Recommended !!
REVIEW JULY 2009 BY KEN LAMBOURNE.

This is a great product! But it can be expensive! I'm glad I found www.ultimate-free-gifts.co.uk where I got mine for free :)

All I did was sign up and then completed ONE offer. I did the coral offer and wagered £5. I won back my money anyway as well!.

There are many alternative offers you can complete such as the 14 day FREE trial with the DVD company LOVEFiLM. Just simply try LOVEFiLM's no obligation trial.

After completing my offer I received my gift within a week :)

Visit: www.ultimate-free-gifts.co.uk

Before you think about putting your hands into your pocket for this expensive product.

There are many other gifts on this site as well, not just this product, you can get the latest console, Plasma TV's, iPods, iPhones, you name it, you can probably get it. You can even get cheques or Bank Transfers!

I hope you enjoy the extra £££'s saved in your bank account from using ultimate-free-gifts.co.uk :)

Here's your chance to get a completely free Playstation 3 80gb or iPhone, this is simple 3 step method on how to get yours! I got mine, you can too!

All you have to do is simply:

1. Sign up to: http://gadgets.freebiejeebies.co.uk/51 (copy and paste into you browser)

2. Once logged in, visit the "Offers" page. You must complete one of these offers to be eligible for your playstation 3. The Lovefilm offer is free, but takes 2 weeks to credit.The Coral one is £5, and credits within hours!!!! (£5 is nothing)

3. Once you've completed your offer, you're at the last stage. Simply refer 14 people to do the same as you by using your referral link which can be found on the "Refer friends" page.
(These 14 people can be anybody, from strangers to friends/family)

Once you've followed those 3 steps, an order button should appear on the "My Status" page. Simply click the button, and the PS3/freebie will be shipped to you within days!

Try it, you have nothing to lose!

I bought it finally because everyday since release a snippet of this injects itself into the background noise and it is always heard and always attended to. It is inexplicable that this is not regarded as one of the ten best issues of all time. We actually listen to these songs like they were hymns, recognising that they represent something simple, valuable and missing from our day to day lives. People's lives are temporarily interrupted when a big track from this gets within earshot and they slow down and get thoughtful and wistful at the same time as though they were trying to remember something important that we are now totally alienated from. The 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' video is a work of mysterious art, is he charging towards something or desperate to escape something: is the nightmare before or behind him? Or is he just desperate to be heard without interruption? Nobody could listen to 'The Drugs Don't Work' without visualising a tower block. Guitar riffs that recall raindrops on windows that won't open looking out on walls of other windows that won't open. Punk was supposed to actualise this sense of urban deprivation and desperation but Punk never got this close.

item very well packaged, CD well kept and no scratches,in good working order and nothing wrong with it

Do you want a Ipod?
well you can get one for a fiver !!
simply go to www.ultimategadgets.co.cc

register and complete one offer

gala bingo and coral are all £5 ( and you might win)
but if you really dont want to spend there are some free offers such as the lovefilm DVD rental no obligation FREE trial
its that simple

if you do not see the model you want, select custom order and you can put in a request to the model you would like.

recently featured in Mens Health (feb 09) and T3 gadget magazine as a great way to get a cheap or free gift , also featured on the bbc and cnn.

i have received an ipod nano a wii and a tomtom so far and im hoping for much more.
give it a go
www.ultimategadgets.co.cc

This album is the best of the Verve

It has a special meaning to me as i had a relative who died from substance misuse, the words and musical accompaniments reach the soul and give me goosebumps EVERY TIME I listen to this album

This album is very good. One of their best. I would advise anyone viewing it to look at the track listing. If the band is for you, go ahead and buy it.
Most of the songs on the album I had never heard of to be honest, part from "Bitter Sweet Symphony". I sat down and listened to all of them. The music is real good, as so is the vocals. "Drugs Don't Work", "Sonnet" are other good singles on Urban Hymns too. I'm sure you'll find that out.
From that I would give this album a 9/10. Thus because I like the band's music.

Brilliant album and will be remembered as one of if not the past album of the 90's i could never see the verve supressing the succsess of this album and believe it is a one off

this timeless classic of an album highlights the gifted and talented performers at their best.So different yet so conventional

I am really impressed by this band , unlike most cd's of today you can listen to ever song right the way through ,I will be looking for more Verve in the future !

This is the 2nd time I've brought this album....I played the last one to death, hence me having to buy a new non scratched 1!!
My absolute favourite album, so glad to have a decent copy again!!