Today I listened to "Urban Hymns" for the first time since I bought it back in 8th grade around 4 years ago. I didn't like it at the time (my musical tastes have changed since then) but after hearing it again after all these years, it really is a good album. What does everyone think of the Verve? I know that they were pretty important but I don't remember anyone really talking about them lately on the board. What is their best album, etc etc?

I'm trying to broaden and rediscover my musical tastes (listening to The Man Who for the first time in 6 or so months was a joy) so today I bought the La's cd (and I believe only official release) at CDWarehouse for 6 bucks. I really really have enjoyed it the first 1.5 times that I have now listened to it. It's...it just sounds really good to me. So what's up with the La's? I was informed the lead singer was insane? In my book that's always a plus...

So guide away...

okay, here we go:

1. The Verve are a very underrated band and only relegated to "one-hit wonder" territory in the U.S. However, "Urban Hymns" is a fantastic album (and also the Verve's best album, much better than "Northern Soul"). "The Drugs Dont Work" is a killer song. Richard Ashcroft released a solo album about two years ago (it's not very good).

2. The La's album for only 6 bucks? I've only heard "There She Goes", but classic early 90's alternative/brit pop for 6 bucks is fine in my book.

i'll lose my resident evil status to post here...

urban hymns is a great album. i don't really listen to bittersweet symphony anymore, but the rest is very good. sonnet, lucky man, and drugs don't work are probably my three favorites off of the album, although my favorites tend to change (for instance, at the moment i'm obsessed with come on eileen...).

it's interesting to note that hype created by noel gallagher (who basically dubbed them the best band in england) was important in their progression from an cult sort of band to mainstream. oasis producer owen morris also produced northern soul. i just like to throw in oasis facts.

i was the person that sold that to you. small world.

Oh wow, that is a small world. Drat, now my cover has been blown! I'm no longer the man of mystery that I once was! But anyway, if you are a fan of english music and find The La's CD used, buy it. It is well well well worth any price under 10 dollars.

I do find it hard to consider the Verve a one hit wonder in the states. I remember the "Lucky Man" video getting played quite regularly on VH1 (it might have cracked the top 10) for about a month. I also remember the video for "Sonnet" being played late at night on MTV. And I heard Richard Ashcroft's single on Lightning 100 a couple years ago...I thought it was okay heh...