Urban Hymns

Классный альбом. Помимо хитового первого трека, здесь полно очень неплохих песен, с одной стороны, воздушно-шугейзовых, а с другой попсово-индироковых, что на самом деле естественное и очень приятное сочетание. Всем любителям подобного - Slowdive, Smashing Pumpkins и Weezer - рекомендую заценить. Хотя напрямую тут общего мало, тут очень схожий вайб инди-сцены 90-х и 00-х годов.

Very good :). Fun pop and good lyrics.

This was great to listen to while working!!!

Pretty standard Britpop classic. didn’t still out to me too much, but it had it’s moments

This was the album I needed today. I’m going to look up The Verve since this is the second album we’ve heard by them. Maybe they’ll be my new favorite Brit band! Who knows! But seriously, I loved this album. Some songs felt like a dream, but the dream is like tragic and romantic!

This album flowed so much better than the other Verve album we were given. It’s a psychedelic pop masterpiece and I’m glad I’m at a place in my life to appreciate it as such. I still can’t- and won’t- appreciate KISS’s 1998 attempt at appealing to juggalos album “Psycho Cirus”, but I will lower the rock n roll freak flag to half mast for Ace Frehley this weekend. He probably loved The Verve.

Not a bad listen, good for an album to put on for a day around the house.

A less or non A-hole version of Oasis. I really enjoyed the sound of this album, and it grew on me as I listened. I am not a huge fan of Oasis, but I am not sure why these guys didn't have better staying power against them. Oasis's singles were better, but they flame out quickly. Maybe the Verve's just weren't good enough. It's a shame. This is a really good album.

It’s an okay album. I feel like there is some real bias by the author of the list on this one. Does having 1 hit song mean the whole album is worry of one’s time? Most of the album is rather flat and uninspired. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again

Smooth jams, great travel background music

no notes, pure vibes, classic y2k feeling

low 3 stars for me, wasnt very memorable

Ten seconds in and all I could think was “please make it stop”. That thought remained for the first half of the album. The second half I didn’t listen.

Quality prog-britpop.

Bland and nearly made me fall asleep but not entirely bad

I generally don’t like britpop *that* much. This one didn’t really do it for me. Quite generic, not very interesting. Yeah Bitter Sweet Symphony has a nice instrumental

Ég á þessa plötu og ástæðan er hversu góð hún er. The Verve er að mínu mati besta Britpop-hljómsveitin ef þeir myndu þá flokkast sem Britpop. Ég veit ekki. Samt mjög góð plata

имба. одна из любимых групп. из 13 песен уже были добавлены в любимое 9)) тем кто ставит единицы - хватит пиздеть, просто ощутите вайб.

Bittersweet symphony bangs

2nd album I couldn’t finish. Too long for the material on it. Some good stuff for sure but everything was like 2mins too long. Same basic harmony for 6mins is agonising

Not my type but good musix

Ashcroft knows how to write a good song.

Verve has always felt like Third Eye Blind, Semisonic, Goo Goo Dolls, Friends theme song, yadda yadda. Pseudo alternative music that came after Nirvana, Pumpkins, Oasis. It's for people too chickenshit to listen to music that pisses off their parents. I'm listening to it now picturing Liam Gallagher beating the lead singer with an amp.

Starts with their biggest hit. The rest sound like they could have also been their biggest hit. What I am trying to say is that all of their music sounds the same. 5/10

Ohja! Dat nummer! Zo begint dit album, en ik was best enthousiast, want Bitterrsweet Symphony is een goed nummer toch? Toch? Eerst zei ik ja, maar na de rest te hebben gehoord... Eh? Is het een goed nummer omdat het een goed nummer is of meer omdat ik het zo vaak heb gehoord dat ik het wel ok vind? Ik laat het nu bij mn FAVO,maar pfoe, dit album is wel ff door worstelen hoor. Dit is precies de muziek waar ik niet van hou, van die hele trage indie rock. Het voelt nietszeggend, maar toch ook zeikerig en ik kan hier nooit echt iets moois in ontdekken. Nu dus helaas ook niet als ik eerlijk ben. Is het allemaal slecht? Nee, maar mijn god, wat is het saai. Oh en ik heb de hidden track geskipt, die had prima verborgen kunnen blijven. Niemand heeft na een uur zaaddodende muziek nog een kwartier toegift nodig jongens. Had dan Bittersweet Symphony gewoon nog eens gespeeld, das het enige nummer waarbij ik tenminste iets voelde. FAVO: Bittersweet Symphony,

Loved it

Bittersweet Symphony and Lucky man are great. The rest of this album is kind of like a mix between U2 and and Oasis but sort of more bland than either. And remember when bands found out that they could put a 'secret song' on the end of a CD? That was dumb. Like why would I want to listen to 10 minutes of nothing just to hear the shitty 'song' (more often than not just a couple of minutes of random noises as is the case here) that you didn't deem good enough to actually be included on your record for real. I'm glad society moved passed that. It was kind of like the post-credits scenes that every movie seemed to have for a stretch of years more recently. We're kind of coming to the end of that fad too. Anyway, I'd give this one a sold 3/5. It's not going to blow anyone away, there are a couple of good songs, some people will absolutely love it, but it is pretty bland and generic mid-90s Brit alt.

Pretty good. Bitter Sweet Symphony is terrific.

Liked this album a lot. Had a Radiohead feeling to it. Catches myself adding a song or two to my playlist. Pretty solid 4/5🎉

What a great album! Need to get a physical copy - just a vibe.

I've always found The Verve to be SUPER forgettable, with Bitter Sweet Symphony being the only track that is remotely memorable. 2⭐️

Do they sound kinda like Oasis? Yeah, but that's a good thing. Solid album. Drags toward the end, but good listen.

Before listening to this album, I have always thought The Verve are fairly dull but not actively annoying, aside from Bittersweet Symphony which deserves its reputation. This album did nothing to change either opinion. 5/10

I was excited when I saw this album come up. I never knew anything past Bitter Sweet Symphony, which I always thought was a cool song, so I was looking forward to what else they had. Sorry to say I was disappointed overall. Everything was just kind of meh and sounded the same to me. It wasn’t bad, it wasn’t great. And it was too long - don’t need 1 hr 15 minutes of the same thing over and over. There were a couple songs I enjoyed, but didn’t have the time to go back again and figure out which ones they were. Overall giving it a 3 because it was fine. PS - Was that the sound of cats dying on that hidden track? That was rough.

I don’t know much about The Verve so I was intrigued to listen to this album. Started off great with Bittersweet Symphony so I leaned-in a little harder. From that point on, the songs were good, but nothing earth-shattering. This is the type of band that if a buddy had an extra ticket to their concert, I would go and would probably have a good time, but I’d never seek them out on my own. Decent music but when it’s said and done it was an average band with one song that went viral.

This is typical 90s indie rock that doesn’t really go anywhere. Highlights like Bittersweet, Sonnet and The Drugs Don’t Work show the best tendencies of the band’s sound, but this album drones on and on and never really hits the level of those tracks again. This album would be better if it was 25 minutes shorter and the band had never listened to a Beatles album, as it seems they are trying to re-create a dreamy, ethereal quality reminiscent of the Liverpudlians’ best work. But all of their music is, ultimately, derivative of something, whether directly or stylistically and, therefore, forgettable.

Bittersweet Symphony is a classic, banger to kick off the album. Regrettably thats the only highlight. Tough to put my finger on this one, nothing stood out I think because they have too many songs on the album and many sound similar to eachother. I'm conflicted on this one. Didnt hate it, but didnt like it. I'm not mad at the album, I'm dissappointed in it. Would I recommend it? No. So it gets a 2, but could have snuck into a 3 if I were in a different mood.

Classic 90s band with that one iconic song we all know. Music is quality overall, but nothing that really grabs me and keeps my attention at a focused level. It’s all well produced and sequenced nicely. Vocals accompany instrumentation in a balanced way and vice versa. It’s worth at least a listen through once.

Jopa tuttukin biisi, ihan hyvää settiä, jotkut biisit ansaitsee 4 tähteä.

bitter sweet symphony: didnt know this song was THIS song yk? 10/10 sonnet: wasnt fully listening, def worth a relisten tho -/10 the rolling people: love the guitar and the drums omg 9/10 the drugs don’t work: ouch. hits too close to home. 10/10 tho icl catching the butterfly: not my favorite but wasnt really listening 5.5/10 neon wilderness: funky but idk 4/10 space and time: love it 8/10 weeping willow: i fw this heavy 9/10 lucky man: vibe w this 8/10 one day:

Good record. Lucky Man is really good jam.

There is that one song.

Yeah loved it. So much of the sound brings me back to my childhood.

The wikipedia entry for this album is insanely long (I guess in homage to the album?). Strong memories of The Drugs Don't Work being everywhere around the time my gran died. Then Diana dying and getting all the attention. Diana has an insanely long wikipedia too. And she was 36 when she died?! Seems mad to have outlived her. In my head she was at least 45.

Some cracking singles, great hits! Lush production and great instrumentation But About 30 minutes too long, they should have just kept the Hymns and cut out the urban.

One was late to this party back in the day, never really taking to this band and not taking Oasis that seriously either. One remains a little skeptical now, but digs the general vibesiness, the unhurried mode and mid-tempo expansiveness – might it be considered proto Dad rock somehow. The opener always seemed a bit overrated to me but there's much else to like – "Sonnet," "Rolling People". There is a last days feels to this with the rockier side of Britpop clearly on the wane. The slow-burning brooding tracks are best, but feel a bit same-y. Certainly not bad, but short of life-changing, or even inspiring. Doesn't really transcend A Northern Soul other than opening with a mega-hit. Seems just a touch contrived and too premeditated and performative. But not as obvious or obnoxious as Oasis and cooler than Blur. The last cut suggests that AI woulda created this lot had they not created themselves way back when. And the hdiden track mighta been left that way with no major impact on the overall effect.

This album is the grandest tier of meh, I like the entire story around Bitter Sweet Symphony; the debacle about the songwriting credits. I just can't help but feel they chose to extend the album out to the CD's maximum length, which is lame - It's good value if you like the album - but its lame for me and others who aren't a fan. And of course because it's a 90s album it has to have a hidden track which is also lame. I feel a bit of a jerk giving it a 2 star, as the band members of The Verve seem like humble guys, from having seen some interviews here and there. But ultimately I'm not a fan of the album.

I'm gonna delete my previous notes about how mad I am that there are multiple Verve albums on the list and no MF Doom. Instead, I'll say that I just learned on Bittersweet Symphony that he's singing "I am here in my MOLD" over and over and that's super funny. I don't know how I never noticed it before. Obviously, it's not as good as Madvillainy. EDIT - I'm going too easy on albums that piss me off. This album pisses me off. 1 star.

Super stuff.

Bittersweet Symphony does all the heavy lifting on this album.

Meh. Bittersweet symphony is a masterpiece but I am not breaking any news with that! The rest if this album is just okay for a rainy day when all my other plans have fallen through.

Not as timeless as I felt it would be at the time (OK Computer and Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space came out the same year). And even then it felt a bit overpolished compared to their previous album, A Northern Soul. I'd always preferred that one, and will have to go back and listen to if it has fared a bit better. But still, this is a cut above the average of the era. 3.8

2 only because c likes that one song bc it was in the ending of Cruel Intentions

I have a really hard time giving a shit about anything Brit pop. I’m sure if you were college aged in the UK around the time it was popular, it probably feels super important. But with a little geographic and temporal separation, I think we can see it for what it really is: just ok at best, unremarkable and boring at baseline, and kinda shit far too often. 3/5 Highlights: Bitter Sweet Symphony Catching The Butterfly One Day Velvet Morning Come On / Deep Freeze

Urban Hymns comes across as thoughtful, mellow alt rock and is a marked improvement over their previous Northern Soul album. There are several good tracks on this one; Lucky Man leads the charge, followed by Bitter Sweet Symphony, then Sonnet - but all the songs are listenable. I even enjoyed the six and a half minutes of silence near the middle of Come On / Deep Freeze. And a solid effort was put forth by the string section of the backing orchestra throughout the album! (3.9*s)

This is The Verve we know and like. "Bitter Sweet Symphony" was a smash hit on MTV and deservedly so even though they may have stolen the violin from The Stones "The Last Time." Urban Hymns is a little long but I liked it all except for "Sonnet." The band continues to explore an eerie, mystical sound. They are like a blend of Oasis and Radiohead. I even liked the hidden track with the creepy baby. 2.85 for the record.

Not sure what to say about this one. It's not objectively bad but I'm surprised how little it moved me. It might have gone down a little smoother at half the length but the 75 minute playtime made this album really tiresome. After the opening track I didn't find the album did anything to grab me. It's some melodramatic indie brit-pop but doesn't have any of the energy that I typically enjoy in the genre. Even Bitter Sweet Symphony which is undoubtedly the biggest and best song from this album appears to have lost a lot of its appeal to me nearly 30 years down the line. I understand why this album may have had its moment in 1997 but man did it underwhelm me in 2025. A surprising 1.78 stars.

Melodisk, vackert, bitterljuvt. Fin sångröst. Bittersweet symphony är en stor favorit sen tidigare. Även sonnet och the drugs don’t work. Efter ungefär hälften av albumet blir låtarna snarlika och repetivt..

I had really only ever heard Bittersweet Symphony before - which I thought was a very catchy pop song. I was pleasantly surprised by the strength of the rest of the songs on this record - solid album.

Depri Rock. Aber einer der besseren

big meh, except the obvious winner with 1.5B views

Veldig bra greier. Visste ikkje at mye av dette va the verve

Booo

Bah

Enjoyed it, relaxing

The singles were obvious choices and very overplayed. A very good album , but a great album , hmmm

Another one of those albums where the singles feel like they’ve been so played to death that I’ve ignored the album for many years. I couldn’t remember what to expect but having listened again it’s a great album with a number of really good album tracks that will be going on the playlist. I really liked a Northern Soul and this is a continuation of that sound but it all just feels a lot bigger. Won’t be leaving it so long to listen again.

An epic album that introduced the serious side of Britpop with soaring melodies and a laid back vibe. Probably has became known as the album that contains Bittersweet symphony over the years, but is strong in its own right, with plenty of other great tracks. Can see why others might get bored with the album but it remains a great listen for me.

Don’t get me wrong, I like The Verve, but somehow their albums have a downbeat vibe which leaves me feeling a bit drained afterwards and not immediately wanting more. Given this I’ve always found the name of the band rather misleading. Perhaps it’s that Richard Ashcroft always seems a bit too far up his own arse and needing to cheer up a bit? Anyway, I prefer the Verve songs with big riffs and searing guitar parts (which I’ve always assumed are more McCabe’s doing) like ‘Rolling People’ and ‘Come On’. The issue is they maxed that style on the epic ‘This is Music’ on the previous album, so they sound like lesser versions thereof. Other than that, the singles are great, some of the more psych ones are alright. but I’m not as into the slower more acoustic stuff which makes the album drag a bit by the end. Low 4.

I bought this on CD back when it was new. I feel the same way now as I did then - I wish I could have heard the rest of the album beyond the first track first. Bittersweet symphony is, and was, huge. Then the rest is just average Britpop of the era. Not bad, not good. Without that first track, none of us would know who this band is.

Mainly up there because of the quality of the singles rather than a accumulation of all of the tracks on the album

Started better than I thought bit did drift off Don't think many.of the songs justified their 5minute+ song length

A few incredible songs which one might wish to argue belong on a “1001 singles to hear before you die” compilation, but beyond those and a few decent tunes, we are sailing a sea of unremarkable pleasantness with a light breeze and no sign of it changing anytime soon

This is an ok album. I just don't find it exciting. Very easy listening.

6/10 kinda slow

I think this is the most neutral I have ever been to one of these albums. Curtis said it perfectly, I sort of felt like I was in a Boy Meets World episode for the entire album. Didn't hate it, but I don't think I'll ever listen to this again.

Of course started solid, everyone knows that first song. Was kind of lukewarm after that. I was cooking while listening so it felt like I was in some early 2000 tv drama. That last song went hard though so I will give it a 3.8

Aside from unfinished symphony, which I haven’t heard in 30 years 40 years I’ve never heard this album before I found it quite enjoyable and really liked the song when the drugs don’t work

kinda great value oasis

Nothing could possibly fit the definition of 'Not for Me' more than this album. What a chore to sit through. Especially after an alright (overplayed) opening track.

I was actually pleasantly surprised after I got through the first two songs

Great. The drugs don't work? This one does!

Great stuff - sonnet and lucky man fav tracks (other than bitter sweet symphony)

super boring to me it wasn’t really relaxing like ik they were going for that vibe but it just didn’t hit for me. idk why in the world bitter sweet symphony is on this album it’s a banger. also a 15 minute song is insane the last 9 mins is just silence idk what’s up with that

I like bittersweet symphony but the rest of this was not my thing

Middle of the road. Apart from the obvious hits this is very one note. The hidden track is just a baby crying. No thanks.

Mooi album, nutteloze hidden track op het einde wel

- Zeer aangenaam, toppertje - 1 nummer toegevoegd aan MMMM - 1 nummer al toegevoegd aan MMMM

Bestes Bitter Sweet Video aller Zeiten, bin ja eigentlich kein Brit-Popper aber da war ich dabei..fantastisch! c

Dull, boring and soul destroying. Would have prefered to sit in silence for 75 minutes.

not even the good song is good

This album really means a lot to me. I’ve listened to it more times than I can count and it’s one I often turn to whether im feeling sad, or my heads just in a weird place It captures a generation just as much as Oasis do. I’ve seen Richard Ashcroft live a couple of times now and when he drops into the Verve tracks you can feel it ripple through the whole crowd. The Drugs Don’t Work is probably my favourite. From what I know it’s about Richard’s dad when he was dying of cancer and every single time it leaves me in tears. Aside from Bittersweet Symphony the obvious big ones are Sonnet and Lucky Man but for me the next best track is The Rolling People. There isn’t a single song I’d skip. The whole thing is amazing, powerful and beautiful.

Eeeeeer y'know it was definitely an album, but probably not for me Micah

Some good songs, but not great album in my opinion.

Bitter sweet Symphony is an all timer - the rest was very very solid too. Reminiscent of Radiohead/Oasis......clearly of the same era. A pretty solid era!

Better but not as many songs I liked. A bit too slow, nothing hype or groovy

Very good - heard those singles so so many times but they're all bangers. Enjoyed the rest a lot too.

Bittersweet Symphony is perfect. Space and Time I quite like too. The rest though... really wears me down. The second half of the record I enjoyed more, but it is very repetitive and murky, with songs that go on too long. Sounds very Oasisy, but in a bad way. 2.5

Just great and a classic

I always assumed the verve was just another Brit pop Oasis-seque band with one good song, so I never paid any attention to them. While I’m still not a huge fan, I must admit I was wrong. This is actually a pretty solid album. I don’t know if I’ll be listening to it many more times, but I appreciated it far more than I expected. I would give it 3.5 if that was an option, and don’t think it really deserves a full four stars, it I’m going that way just because I feel bat that I wrote them off.

I was introduced to "Bittersweet Symphony" on the Las Vegas strip when some barely dressed dancers performed a dance number to the song at a show I attended. I was quite taken by both the dancers and the song and initially thought it was Bono and/or U2. I later learned that it was The Verve, a band I had never heard of prior to that. Bittersweet Symphony was a great start to the album (love the strings) but what followed was pretty forgettable and disappointing. Since I can't give this a 2.5 I'll award it a very generous 3.

Bittersweet Symphonyn kaikki tuntee tietenkin, mutta levyn toinen biisi Sonnet on myös tuttu. Hyvää britti rokkia, kappaleet on kivan ja sopivan maalailevia ja tunnelmallisia. Parhaat: The Bittersweet Symphony, Sonnet, Weeping Willows, The Drugs Don't Work.

You know, it was fine. Pretty decent, but forgettable.

the orchestral shoegaze epicness of "Bittersweet Symphony" is unfortunately never replicated/expanded upon for a full album experience.

Sempre tive curiosidade em ouvir este disco, por causa da faixa de abertura. É um álbum interessante, com bons momentos proporcionados pelas partes de guitarras, é um disco agradável, mas não chega a ser algo empolgante e distinto. Destaque para a faixa "Lucky Man", quando a harmonia entre vocal de instrumental se complementam. Disco de razoável para bom.

I am probably going to be a little more harsh on this one than I normally would, only because I was given another The Verve album less than a week ago. I really don't think The Verve should have two albums on this arbitrary list of 1001 albums that I should listen to before I die. Maybe they were more influential in the UK. As an American, they are a one-hit wonder. For good or ill that hit is here with "Bittersweet Symphony" a song that I have heard way too much and that I am not even a fan of. The rest of the album is a duller version of the standard Britpop of the era. t least the other Verve album had a youthful energy that I could respect. This one is just dull.

Boring

I quite liked The Verve back in the day and bought this album when it came out. Thought it was great at the time but then when Bittersweet Symphony got played to death I kind of left it alone since. Listening to it again in full for the first time in decades, it still is a very good album.

I recognize some of this, but not a fan of this sort of whiney rock. Really wish it were shorter, so a 2.

Bitter Sweet Symphony followed by 12 forgettable 90's English rock band tracks. The tracks that broke the mold a touch more (This Time, Velvet Morning) were enjoyable, but the rest felt like an Oasis coverband. Not bad, not great.

Pretty good pretty good, need more time with it. Bittersweet Symphony is obviously the standout, and the rest lacks compelling hooks. Pleasant noise though.

Didn't realise I'd heard their songs before. What do you know. Pleasant enough listening.

Did I listen to the 2-hour-and-25-minute deluxe and remastered version of this album? Yes, I did. Did I enjoy it? Also yes. Favorites were: the obvious, "Bitter Sweet Symphony," as well as "Sonnet," "Lucky Man," "One Day," "This Time," and "The Drugs Don't Work (Live)." I loved the general mood of this album: yearning, wistful, yet still youthful and angsty, without being heavy-handed or overkill. Also loved the dreamlike qualities of the sound and mixing. While at times it did feel very derivative of Oasis and other bands of that ilk and time, I enjoyed this more than the Oasis project I listened to previously in this 1001 Albums venture thus far. The Verve has definitely gained a (very late to the party) fan. I hesitated between four or five stars on this, but because I think a track or two could have been cut (from the album itself - not counting the deluxe tracks), I chose four stars.

There wasn't a single song on this album that I didn't like. Every track was interesting. The vocals aren't my favorite, but they suit this type of music well. Not sure what else to say here. Not worthy of a 5, but it's good.

I got the urge for some reason to rate every song. Here we go Bittersweet Symphony - 5/5. I already knew this song. It's nothing crazy, but it just works. Sonnet - 5/5. Pleasantly surprised. I honestly liked it maybe slightly more than Bittersweet Symphony. The Rolling People - 3/5. Not bad, but I couldn't get into it. Kinda bland. The Drugs Don't Work - 5/5. This is a beautiful song. Very emotional and pleasant to listen to. Catching the Butterfly - 4/5. The verses are amazing, the chorus is fine. Neon Wilderness - ?/5. Can I really rate this with the others? It is good at what it does, just there to be an interlude/wind down. I like when an album does that. Space and Time - 4/5. It was very calming. Weeping Willow - 4/5. They're all starting to sound very similar. Of course it's a good similar, but I need more variety or the reviews are just going to say the same thing over and over. Lucky Man - 5/5. Different enough, also really good and powerful. This is definitely the type of song I'd usually listen to. One Day - 4/5. Another slow, deep and loud song. I still like it the 10th time, though. This Time - 3/5. Fine, a little short and a little bland. At least it's different. Velvet Morning - 4/5. Yeah.. it's good and loud and soft and the other things. Come On / Deep Freeze (Hidden Track) - 3/5. Come On was not my favorite on the album. Let's see how the Hidden Track holds up. What da baby doin? Overall, I thought for a while I would give this a 5/5. I liked all the songs early on and even later on in the album, the songs were still really good, just a lot of the same and it got boring over time. I would listen to each and every song again on its own though.

Oh okay so the better Oasis?

Pretty bland and largely forgettable. Kept having to drag myself To pay attention to it and let it just be background music.

The singles are amazing. The rest is ok.

Sounded like the Smashing Pumpkins or Coldplay to me - Bittersweet Symphony raised it from a 2

I always thought of The Verve as brit-pop for your Dad, this didn't particularly change my mind. Some good moments but not for me really.

Favourite Track: Sonnet, Weeping Willow Album Cover: accidental candid shot in Richmond Park, taken when the band were waiting for a second photographer.

I’ve always enjoyed this album but honestly, didn’t expect to see it here! Great songs and such a staple of it’s time.

Bitter sweet symphony goat, rest meh. Drugs don't work kind of ok

Nice voice with touches of 70’s era Neil Diamond here and there. Needed more hooks to keep it interesting. 3/ 5

Indie sounding britpop. Some really good songs here balanced out by plenty of forgettable ones.

I was only familiar with the opening track, but really enjoyed the rest of it. very solid

So, so good: and fuck the Rolling Stones for taking all the profits.

Bitter Sweet Symphony is iconic but otherwise this one didn’t really resonate with me too much. I enjoyed that the last song “Come On” has a hidden track at the very end…. if you keep it playing, goes from silent to kind of an ethereal melody with a baby crying sound at around 13:45 for a little over a minute.

This one was cool. I, too, was stoked to hear Bitter Sweet Symphony - it's a great song! I wasn't blown away by this album but did really enjoy the more ballad-like songs (Sonnet, The Drugs Don't Work). I can appreciate the grungy, 90s sound. 6.5/10

Was fairly certain I had never heard of The Verve. Then after the opening track bitter sweet symphony I knew I had at least heard one song many times before. The vocals sort of remind me of local artist JP Hoe.

Timeless. I'd smoke some weed, listen to this album and my favourite track is the baby crying. But for real honestly I love Bittersweet Symphony. I remember listening to this when the internet was coming about and It was hypnotizing so glad I listen to these guys again and a full album too very lovely. No change I can change, I can change I can change, I am here! In my mode! I am here! In my mode! And I'm a million different people from one day to the next I can change... God I love it.

This was such a cool album. Just listening to the first song I knew I was in for a treat. Really enjoyable overall

My face lit up when that first song came in, Didn't know where that this was where that song lived! This album screams early 2000s, something about the violins & the constant slow steady beat. Perfect album to walk your dog to on a warm autumn evening as the sun is setting. Pure vibes. The rest of the album did not let down either, with some bangers sprinkled throughout! Verve just earned a new fan. 9/10 Favorite songs: bittersweet symphony, The drugs dont work

Is it Richard Ashcroft’s voice that makes this album eligible for the list (a singing style that was mimicked by myriads of mediocre bands that followed — looking at you, Mando Diao and co.)? Because other than that, I really can’t get my head around why this is considered a classic. It’s sprawling, it’s meandering — but Spiritualized did this far better (“The Rolling People” really doesn’t get to the point). When it gets anthemic, it borders on an annoying mess (“Bitter Sweet Symphony”) — Oasis did that better. And when it gets experimental, it doesn’t consequentially follow through on that direction (“Catching the Butterfly”) — Primal Scream and Spiritualized did that better, too. Neither is the songwriting particularly interesting, nor do the lyrics have much merit on their own. Was it solely the momentum of Britpop that propelled The Verve to the top? Perhaps I’ll understand it one day, but for now, I have no desire to sit through Urban Hymns again.

Fine

Not a bad listen

Bad. Dumb

3.5

3.5

*Urban Hymns* Honestly really solid album. I do think the length of the album does take away a bit, mainly in that the music pretty much stays in that same vain of pop deamy state, not much variation. But it is still so good ill keep it at a 4½ (9.3) ★★★★½

I absolutely love "The Drugs Don't Work". The Verve is probably my favourite Britton. 4.5 stars

This is a terrific album. Most people know this for "Bittersweet Symphony", which is great, but I think a lot of songs eclipse it here. It kind of covers a lot of the various genres going on in the British music scene in one album -- you get some baggy style stuff, anthemic Britpop, and some spacey proto-Coldplay all in one package. Highlights for me are "Bittersweet Symphony", "Sonnet", "The Drugs Don't Work", "Lucky Man", "One Day", and "Velvet Morning". 5 stars.

4.5

Richard Ashcroft pulled off a blinder here. Wrote so many good songs in one go that he ended up having none left for the entirety of his solo career. Urban Hymns is at once a towering masterwork of Britpop and post-Britpop. The link between Oasis in their pomp and early Coldplay. It has just enough in the way for druggy, tenacious rockers like The Rolling People and Come On, dreamy shoegaze numbers like Catching The Butterfly and then an overload of searing, heartfelt balladry plus some of the most iconic string-addled pop songs of the decade such as Bittersweet Symphony and Lucky Man. What with the likes of The Drugs Don't Work, Space And Time and Velvet Morning padding its ranks, there's just too many lovely songs. Easy 5 and best album from 1997.

More like 3.5 stars, really enjoying it at the start but began to sound quite repetitive. Still quite a good album

This shit is a fucking hour long and it all sounds procedurally generated. Decent production by 90s pop rock standards.

The opener is a classic. The rest is really good.

More britpop??

Starts out strong with their big hit then the rest of the songs are meh to okay.

I feel like I'm being slowly bashed over the head with an inflatable mallet with 'Britpop' written on it: It doesn't hurt but it gets annoying after an hour and 15 minutes. Even Bitter Sweet Symphony sounds dull to me and I don't think anyone would remember it if not for the violin. Apparently BBC Radio 1 listeners voted it the third best song ever... in 1998, one year after its release. 'Whatever' by Oasis is a better use of violin and that's a largely forgotten song. All in all, the album is fine. I think it could have been a low 4 if it was shorter, but there really aren't any songs that warrant that score.

angsty teenage me would have loved this band

There were a couple standout tracks and I enjoyed the front to back listen. Better than a lot of the English bands on the list from that time frame.

This one is hard to rate. It's got two alltime classics (The Drugs Don't Work and Bittersweet Symphony) and another two great tracks (Sonnet, Lucky Man) and then a bunch of what I regard as filler tracks that really doesn't do much for me at all. Definitely an album where I'd playlist the best songs and leave the rest behind.

Huge album at the time but it’s never truly clicked for me. Always ended up going back to their other albums. But Rolling People never gets old.

Not a very memorable album, nothing much to add 2/5

Classic 90s Britpop. Swaggers between Rock and guitar ballads, lots of simple string samples/arrangements peppered in, the occasional 70s psychedelic guitar tones. You'll probably recognise at least one song on here. Bittersweet Symphony is an anthem of that era. The Drugs Don't Work has one of the most depressing lyrics ever ("like a cat in a bag waiting to drown.."). There is a definite dip in noteworthy songs after the opening few tracks with maybe the exception of Lucky Man. It sounds like the 90s.

It's a shame when a band's masterpiece is also their finale. "Bittersweet Symphony" is the one people know, but "The Drugs Don't Work" and "Sonnet" are just as good.

Chill. Good. Never listened to whole thing.

rockin

Two great songs and many good ones.

A bit dreary for my taste but I enjoyed the more well known tracks. Highlight track : The drugs don't work

Pretty dull, nothing particularly memorable other than that song (you know the one). Not sure I needed 75 mins of britpop..

A good few very good songs on this but it's all a bit too plain and uninteresting

Very good example of soft 90's British alternative. Violins, expansive vocals, good production. I'm surprised more of these songs didn't hit the charts.

I won’t apologize for still liking “Bittersweet Symphony” but the rest of this album is a bore. 2/5

Thoughts before listening: Brit pop with one killer song ("Bittersweet Symphony") and at least one other that is very good ("The Drugs Don't Work"). Review: I like this just fine. The hits I mentioned are great, but the album did drag a bit over it's 75 minute run time. U2 is a major influence here, and the album stays in a similar late 90s mid-tempo groove throughout. I was into punk rock around this time, and mostly ignored these types of bands. I can appreciate them a bit more now, but it's still very much a 3-star album to me.

49/1089 bittersweet symphony is just so good, and starting an album with those strings is very impactful, and then sonnet really stalls the project The Drugd Dont Work is a really nice more introspective sound and style that suits them. Catching The Butterfly is a cool, psychedelic moment which is definitely one of my favourites, it has a very classic sound but not in a dated way Space and Time is another solid track, with some psychedelic influence in the back. Lucky Man is also very well produced and performed not a fan of the final/hidden track having a very long stretch of silence followed by a baby crying overall i enjoyed this project a lot, I’m pleasantly surprised in a way but also not totally sure why because Bittersweet Symphony set a good precedent faves: Bittersweet Symphony ofc, Lucky Man, Space and Time, Catching The Butterfly least faves: Sonnet and the second half of Come On/Deep Freeze overall 4 stars or 73/100

It was good, just needed more to make each some unique and memorable. The length didn’t help it.

I’ve liked Bitter Sweet Symphony since it came out in 1997. I always liked the music video. I also love the song The Drugs Don’t Work. Overall, it was good.

Underrated album overshadowed by a massive (and great) single. Dig a bit deeper, and there’s some really good 90s psych revival here.

Not bad.

Didn’t enjoy it

The last quarter of the album is the highlight, but nothing I’d ever want to listen to again.

worst song

Un álbum decente de Britpop que sería mucho mejor si fuese más corto. Aquí destacan canciones como Bitter Sweet Symphony, The Drugs Don't Work o Lucky Man. Sin embargo, siento que algunas canciones de la primera mitad son algo olvidables y el cierre se me hace excesivamente largo. 3'5/5

I like lucky man and deep freeze, bittersweet Symphony, and the drugs don’t work. For neon wilderness and some of the music was a little too industrial feeling for me, but when there is more of a Melody in the music, I enjoyed it.

Starts off with one of the best songs on the 90s. The rest is okay, kinda more of the same sound - layered instruments and reverby vocals. “Sonnet” and “The Drugs Don’t Work” are nice slower songs. “Lucky Man” is probably my favorite (besides the first song). Overall not very exciting of an album but has a distinct sound.

Bittersweet Symphony is the known song to me. For me the rest of the album is okay.

Very good album.

⭐︎4.6 90年代ブリットロックの最高傑作の一つ。 ギタリストの嗜好でサイケっぽい曲が多い。気だるいボーカルと相待って最高。 かなり聴きやすいため聴き流しがちだが、じっくり聴くと名曲揃い。 中でもlucky manが印象に残る。

One of the best albums of this era. A total classic

The last great Britpop album. Obviously Bittersweet Symphony is the highlight but it has a lot of great songs besides that.

Such a classic

Kinda viby- I def like it. Never listened to anything by them other than Bittersweet Symphony so this has been cool. I listened to it again at night and I really liked it. Will definitely keep this album in the loop.

yea that's a britpop album alright. Bittersweet Symphony is real great, and it's never like. bad. but its whole movement doesn't capture me much and this doesn't have the variety that some of the best britpop does. deserves to be one of the 1001? uh yea sure. but i'd kick it out in favor of an Indonesian prog album

apart from their iconic opening track the album as a whole was pretty middle of the road late 90s altrock. decent.

Feels like a bad ruined by the meteoric rise of a single, which then defined them in everyone's eyes. Kinda fun until I had the realization they sound like U2 and then finishing was tough.

Its quite a lot longer than i seem to remember it, The Verve are not a one song band. That being said there is some filler 4.3/5.0 Best Song: The Drugs Don’t Work

Controversially, I don’t like this album that much, Ashcrofts voice does my head in and I don’t think he’s a very good song writer. It’s also fucking LONG. But saying that, bittersweet symphony is arguably the greatest British song of all time. 2.5/5

85% Best: Bitter Sweet Symphony; The Rolling People; The Drugs Don't Work; Catching The Butterfly; Weeping Willow Must-Hear? Sure

Sooooo boring.... Generous 2 stars.

The rhythm, vibe totally spoke to my soul <3 The Rolling People Deep Freeze One Day The Drugs Don’t Work

Very good and worth a listen.

The strings add a lot to the sound of this album. Reminiscent of Coldplay and Oasis. Easy to listen to on my first listen through.

Didn't know The Verve had so many bangers.

I love their song. And maybe that other song. 2.5 rounded down

Never understood the appeal based on the single. Maybe you had to be in he uk in the late 90s. The rest of the album is a bit better but pretty bland.

Great Album of the 90 's

Its nice actually

An unbelievable, relaxing, and abstract experience! Spectacular!

This is our big FUCk U

Very boring tbh. An album over an hour better be super engaging and interesting and this was not. It felt like work getting through it.

Meh

quite monotonous and uninspiring except for bittersweet symphony and the drugs don’t work. Wouldn’t actively listen to this album again except for those songs.

-britpop -easy listening -would’ve enjoyed loads when I started playing kit -classic re bssymphony -album grows on me as it plays through

Nice, Mr brightside is a classic!

It’s…fine? It seems inessential and the only songs I really enjoy were the ones that made me wish I was listening to R.E.M.

It is, in fact, a bittersweet symphony, but that's life.

I can't think about this album objectively. At my very lowest in high school, when everything felt too hard to keep going, I have vivid memories of lying on my floor with my yellow Discman and my crappy RCA headphones listening to Urban Hymns and feeling comforted. I have no great insights into why. There's obvious heart-beating-on-the-outside-of-your-body stuff like "The Drugs Don't Work" and "Sonnet." There's go-outside-and-embrace-life stuff like "Bitter Sweet Symphony" and "Lucky Man." But the one I really get lost in is the swirling grooves of "Catching the Butterfly," a song that sweeps me away every time. 28 years later, I still find it overwhelmingly beautiful.

I thought some of their songs were by other people. Great mellow music.

I never owned this but this is the platonic ideal of the kind of CD I'd get from Best Buy in highschool on the strength of a single, play through once, play the single track(s) 5 more times, and then never touch again until selling it off in college to make room for cooler stuff. Bittersweet Symphony is an incredible needle drop in Cruel Intentions but the rest of the album is pretty forgettable. So many of these tracks feel like a shameless but unsuccessful attempt to duplicate OK Computer. And ok, I know from firsthand experience that Radiohead did not originate the secret hidden track after a long silence at the end of a CD but repeating the exact gesture that ended OK Computer comes off like they're cargoculting Radiohead in hopes that their album somehow becomes good.

Fairly boring. Had heard bitersweet symphony and lucky man before, with lucky man being my favorite but the songs kind of blend and I wouldn't go back to it.

Enjoyable. Glad that they finally get royalties for Bittersweet Symphony.

Bitter Sweet Symphony is a great one hit wonder track. The rest of this album? My 2 and 3 ratings are blending in to one. Do I even like music anymore?

My partner has never watched Cruel Intentions so he will never understand Bitter Sweet Symphony like I do.

3.3/bitter sweet is the only good song

Impeccably unremarkable

Great progressions and thoughtful vocals.

# 🎵 In-Depth Review of The Verve's "Urban Hymns" ## 📀 Introduction *Urban Hymns* is the third studio album by English rock band **The Verve**, released on September 29, 1997. It arrived at a critical juncture in British music, as the Britpop movement was declining following Oasis's *Be Here Now* and Blur's shift toward experimentalism. The album became a cultural phenomenon, blending **anthemic grandeur** with **introspective lyricism** and **orchestral arrangements**. It sold over 10 million copies worldwide and remains one of the defining albums of the 1990s . ## 📝 Lyrics and Themes ### Emotional Depth and Personal Struggle - **Richard Ashcroft's** lyrics explore themes of **existential weariness**, **addiction**, **love**, and **redemption**. Songs like "The Drugs Don't Work" (reportedly about his father's death) and "Bitter Sweet Symphony" delve into personal and societal struggles, with lines like "I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind" reflecting a search for solace amid chaos . - **Vulnerability and Hope**: Tracks like "Lucky Man" and "Sonnet" balance despair with optimism, showcasing Ashcroft's ability to convey raw emotion without cliché. The album's themes resonate with listeners facing "real-life worries," making it a mature departure from Britpop's hedonism . ### Narrative Complexity - Ashcroft's lyrics often avoid literal interpretations, preferring ambiguity to invite listener immersion. As he stated, *"I’m not about to give it to them on a plate and say what exactly it’s about. I hate it when lead singers take all the mystery away"* . ## 🎶 Music and Sound ### Genre Fusion and Orchestral Elements - The album merges **alternative rock**, **psychedelia**, and **orchestral pop**. Strings arranged by Wil Malone (e.g., "Bitter Sweet Symphony" and "The Drugs Don't Work") add a sweeping, cinematic quality, while **acoustic foundations** ("Sonnet," "Lucky Man") provide intimacy . - **Psych-Rock Roots**: Tracks like "The Rolling People" and "Catching the Butterfly" retain the band's psychedelic edge, with **Nick McCabe's guitar work** creating textured, atmospheric layers . ### standout Tracks 1. **"Bitter Sweet Symphony"**: Built on a sample of an orchestral version of the Rolling Stones' "The Last Time," it combines **propulsive strings** with Ashcroft's defiant vocals, becoming an anthem for a generation . 2. **"The Drugs Don't Work"**: A poignant ballad featuring **acoustic strumming** and **heartfelt vocals**, highlighting Ashcroft's songwriting maturity . 3. **"Lucky Man"**: An uplifting, melody-driven track that balances hope and vulnerability . 4. **"Sonnet"**: A lush, orchestral love song with elegant lyrics . ## 🎛 Production ### Collaborative Efforts - Produced primarily by **Youth** and **Chris Potter**, the album benefits from a "loose discipline" that encouraged experimentation. Sessions at **Olympic Studios** in London incorporated spontaneous guitar additions from McCabe and refined string arrangements . - **Challenges**: Early sessions with producers John Leckie and Owen Morris were abortive, and guitarist **Bernard Butler** (ex-Suede) briefly joined but left due to creative differences. McCabe's return reshaped the sound, though his contributions were more integrated than dominant . ### Sound Quality - The production balances **grandeur** and **intimacy**, with strings and guitars layered thoughtfully without overwhelming Ashcroft's vocals. However, some critics note that the **second half** lacks the momentum of the first . ## 🧭 Themes and Influence ### Cultural Impact - *Urban Hymns* marked the **end of Britpop's hegemony**, offering a more reflective alternative to Oasis's bravado. Alongside Radiohead's *OK Computer*, it signaled a shift toward darker, more complex rock . - **Legacy**: The album influenced bands like **Coldplay**, **Travis**, and **Starsailor**, who adopted its blend of anthemic rock and emotional lyricism. "Bitter Sweet Symphony" became a cross-generational anthem, though its legal battle over royalties (resolved in 2019) overshadowed its success . ### Enduring Relevance - The album's themes of **struggle and redemption** continue to resonate, with *Urban Hymns* often cited as one of the greatest albums of the 1990s. Its reissues, including a five-disc expanded edition, reinforce its status . ## ✔️ Pros and Cons ### Pros - **Lyrical Depth**: Ashcroft's introspective and poetic lyrics elevate the album beyond typical rock fare . - **Musical Diversity**: Fusion of orchestral, acoustic, and psychedelic elements creates a rich, immersive experience . - **Cultural Significance**: Captured the zeitgeist of late-1990s Britain and influenced a generation of artists . - **Hit Singles**: Features multiple iconic tracks that remain staples of alternative rock . ### Cons - **Inconsistent Flow**: The second half of the album (e.g., "So Sister") is seen as weaker than the first, with some filler material . - **Over-Reliance on Ballads**: Some critics argue the album leans too heavily on slower tracks, occasionally sacrificing energy . - **McCabe's Reduced Role**: Despite his return, guitarist Nick McCabe's contributions are less prominent compared to earlier albums . ## 🎉 Conclusion *Urban Hymns* is a **masterpiece of 90s rock**, combining emotional depth, musical innovation, and production excellence. While it has minor flaws, its strengths—including timeless singles and profound themes—cement its legacy as a landmark album. It remains a testament to The Verve's turbulent genius and their ability to transform personal pain into universal art .

A great britpop classic

4,5

Mislila sam da ću ovo mrziti jer mrzim Bittersweet Symphony. E pa ne mrzim. Samo sam je preslušala previše puta, a nikad s razumijevanjem. Jedino što konkretno mogu kritikovati na albumu je dužina, i sveukupna i nekih pojedinačnih pjesama. Osim toga je baš fin.

A trip down memory lane. Bit samey though.

Solid mid-to-late 90s Brit rock sound. Reminds me of Oasis and (deeper cut) Kula Shaker, and the "bigness" of the best U2. I can see the path from something like Stone Roses to this album. Overall, cool vibes, lots of raw emotion and feelings of going nowhere and listlessness, but with a underlying feeling of hope as well, knowing it'll be ok even if it doesn't seem like it at the moment. "Bittersweet Symphony" is a masterpiece (song and video) Loving the vibe of "The Rolling People" "Velvet Morning" and "Lucky Man" "The Drugs Don't Work" is a heartbreaking realization that a relationship is over, and you can't escape the feelings any longer. Really great song of grief and personal loss. I'm thinking of Indy right now listening to this and getting emotional.

W sumie poza bittersweet nie hituje tak mocno ale spoko do chillu

Totally know the song 'Bitter Sweet Symphony', I think it is commonly used in media! Never knew where the song came from so that's fun. I like 'Space And Time', feels so incredibly 90s and also very U2. Also enjoy 'The Drugs Don't Work'

Eh

Did not care for this

I doubt this would have made the list without the opening track. Well... I disagree with the list frequently enough that I take that back. I think it's pretty forgettable other than the opener though

The drugs don't work is an anthem, but for the rest I always found it a bit annoying. Hasn't really become more interesting with time. One of those records that everyone of our age had, and put on during dinner parties. A bit yawn for me...

Bitter sweet syph banger

Starting of with Bitter Sweet Symphony is like baiting, because it never gets better than that. Sure there are other moments on this album, but they are few. Can't say there is anything bad on 'Urban Hymns' it is just al around forgettable. And they had no right to make me wait 10 minutes for a hidden track, that wasn't even interesting.

I just saw Richard Ashcroft a few weeks ago opening for oasis at wemley stadium. He was great and the crowd went nuts for an opening act. This album is pretty great. Bittersweet and lucky man are definitely the highlights.

3 // brit pop, fun, definitely not bad, but didn't really do anything for me

very good start, songs start blending together towards the end but overall the album is very good

Good but not amazing, besides Bitter Sweet Symphony, which is a certified banger. Fave song: Bitter Sweet Symphony Honorable mentions: Drugs Don't Work, Catching The Butterfly

Pretty good but not exceptional. Favourite Song: Bitter Sweet Symphony Honourable Mention: The Drugs Don't Work

pretty good chill/slower album

2.5

I wanted to like this album more than I did. Kind of wild to start with "bittersweet symphony" as it seems to have a slightly different production than the rest of the album which comes across as subdued. Song writing is good, music isn't half bad either but I felt that if I put this album on and went about my day, most of it will become background noise.. Like a subtle soundtrack. The again... Maybe that's what they were going for. 3.5🌟

3 estrelas

It was ok

7/10 Highlights: Bittersweet Symphony The Drugs Don't Work Lucky Man Catching the Butterfly Sonnet Velvet Morning

Way too long, at times noisy. The opening feat. Symphony and Sonnet are beautiful.

Good

Enkele goeie nummers, maar soms wat eentonig of langdradig. 3 sterren

Great album beyond their couple of hit singles.

🫶

Best first song

If an album has 5-6 bangers I give 5 stars even though the rest are below average. This album got me into britpop some time ago and I refuse to agree that the Verve is one hit wonder.

Bittersweet Symphony is a jam for sure. When I saw that their other singles had WAY more listens I was intrigued, as I had never heard of any of the songs. Kind of a let down. Album was a 3/5 in the end.

The Furby Award for the most 90s album I've ever heard goes to...

Some good ones but mostly boring 2/5

Very cool Rock album

Solid 2 opening tracks and closing track.

Right off the bat heard the song that defined the decade at the time and still stands true nearly 20 years later. This album has been able to stand the test of time. Catching the Butterfly had me thinking I was listening to Muse at first. Love the psychedelic spin on rock. Sounds like the soundtrack to every 90s/early 2000s movie I was obsessed with growing up.

Another long album. On the whole I liked it, some classic songs. Got that Manchester (adjacent) sound.

Bittersweet symphony being a music staple

Good vibes!

More crap british music.

This should have been a new beginning, but was the end. Beautiful, introspective songs which are often wistfully regretful

great

Sooooo good

They really do sound like an Oasis clone. For a long time all I knew was Bittersweet Symphony, and then a friend played Lucky Man and I realized that they managed to have two good songs. The rest of this album? Eh.

Un disco de himnos. Entretenido, interesante. Sobre todo si eres un malasañero de los 90.

suena como si oasis tuviera un hijo al que le gusta la música clásica.

I had a thing written here and it got eaten up. Suffice to say I enjoyed it.

Fantastic album! The opening track, the big single off the album, is probably the worst song on the album. 90’s Brit pop-rock at its finest!

Solid album. Bittersweet Symphony is of course an all-time classic song, but the rest of the album doesn't have anything that's a true "hit". Good tunes and great vibes, but not an all-timer full album to me.

Awesome Brit-pop album.

Solid. Occasionally even really good. But it just makes me want to listen to similar, vastly more interesting records by Spiritualized and Swervedriver...

Going pop isn’t always a bad thing. A slightly bloated but quite good Britpop album. Best song: The Drugs Don’t Work

Bittersweet Symphony overshadows everything here. Generally pleasant stuff, nothing I would go back to. But symphony is a classic.

Never listened to them before. Great stuff. A little bit psychedelic. Strong musically. I think zo like their earlier stuff. A bit more committed to psychedelic.

Another great 90s nostalgia album 👍

Bittersweet Symphony is an all timer, rest is fine enough. 3.5

Great album.

I enjoyed this more than what I thought I would.

Loved this a lot. Seems like a perfect representation of the late 90's when grunge had died, and it mellowed out. Very similar to Oasis, but I liked this so much more than Blur. Great vibes. The only song that I knew prior to this was Bittersweet Symphony. Will listen to this album again sometime.

8/10 Hmm, a reassessment. I dismissed this album 30 odd years ago (I might not have ever listened to it all...), but I wasn't a fan of Lucky Man was simplistic, Bittersweet was massively overplayed and Drugs and Sonnet were a bit... naff? But listening to them now, along with the rest of the album, I can see that The Verve were much better than I gave them credit for. Love the guit especially, which lifts the manc-rock to the next level.

One good song

I'm really beginning to worry about the integrity and diversity of this list. This is the second Verve album I've listened to on it this year. The second! The Verve! In the long history of, well, albums, is it really the Verve who deserve multiple albums on the list? Or is it the maker of the list showing their bias for British 90s stuff? Anyway, this one was fine.

8,7/10 oasis type, goat

Belter!!! One of those very albums that made me so fond of 1997's music. Outta nowhere, 4 absolute bangers - Bitter Sweet Symphony, Sonnet, Lucky Man, The Drugs Don't Work...

As good as I remember it nearly 30 yrs ago. Great songs, brilliantly performed

Singles are great but felt this could have been trimmed down considerably. Quite long and similar songs.

Such a classic 90’s album.

Songs: Bittersweet Symphony

Meh

Not bad this Oasis tribute act, but I don’t understand why they play so few of the hits. Needs more Champagne Supernova

Some absolute tunes here. Have admired their singles for a while but first time listening to an (the) album. He was superb supporting Oasis as well! Simpsons: No

There are some absolute belters on here. Starts well with Bitter Sweet Symphony and Sonnet, but I think the best song on here is The Drugs Don't Work. I'm not sure hidden tracks work now when streaming albums.

Meh

Good nostalgia tunes. Remembered more than I thought I would.

Not for me…

many of the bands of the early to mid 60’s made a seemingly conscious decision to sound like the beatles because they were arguably the biggest band of the era. fast forward to the mid 90’s. there seemed to be several bands that emulated the sound of oasis, one of the biggest bands of the 90’s. enter the verve. i don’t like oasis, and i damn sure don’t like an off brand knockoff version.

Wow, this was boring.

2.5

Some all time classics on this one. While "Bitter Sweet Symphony" is far and away the most popular, "The Drugs Don't Work" is easily the best song on this album to me. Great album!

Bitter Sweet Symphony - ja Den Rest braucht niemand.