vervehead1

I think Dan is right on. I am watching this wondering collectively what can be accomplished. I have a good idea sonically of what they are capable of. Urban Hymns was a good indication of what the marriage between Richard's solo acoustic stuff and McCabe's guitar could do. I think for me the best tracks on that album are Rolling People and Weeping Willow...collective efforts that showcase an evolution in the Verve's music as a whole.

For me the time was right with the Verve. It was the summer of 1996 and I was graduating from high school. I had heard some Verve tracks namely through the Sliver soundtrack; I remember feeling that it was pretty good dream rock for a young American guy getting into the Brit-Rock scene.

I remember buying a Northern Soul after reading a review in NME for a long bus trip with my class one night. The A/C went on the bus early in the trip and I threw on A Northern Soul. The Florida summer is brutal and it was hot as hell. It was the first album I can say without fail that I know I listened to from start to finish. In the back of a dark bus, sweat dripping down us all, I was placed on this wonderful ride. Sonically the music improved the pictures before my eyes - basically young sweaty women de-clothing. It was fucking brilliant. Lyrically the album progresses like a young man's life. I was young - excited to be a live; but confused about sex, women, drinking, spirituality - the Verve tapped into that period of my life. A Northern Soul is my favorite rock album of all time.

I was in London by chance when I read the Verve were getting back together. I was thrilled that what I felt like was buried treasure was unearthed for the world to see...and that fall as a college freshmen I saw them play in Washington DC. A spiteful (but with something to prove) Richard Ashcroft stepped to the mic. "This is from the album nobody bought," stated bitterly as they launched into the first half of A Northern Soul --- It was magic.

If they can recapture that bitterness. That self belief and understanding that Urban Hymns was a coffee table album that year for people who like music and understand that the true Verve (A Northern Soul) was written for people who love music - I think we will have something. But just like that crazy bi polar ex whom with the make up sex is always brilliant --- if she wasn't still fucked in the head it just wouldn't be as good. Let's just hope Richard can find some balance but also madness as they embark on somehow redefining their legacy.