SONG OF THE DAY [#333]

'love is noise' | the verve

it's amazing a decade has passed since the verve's seminal album, 'urban hymns.' what's also amazing is how many people seem to have forgotten just how massive the verve really was. and not only were the massive, they were massively brilliant. richard ashcroft made good on his promise: they were the biggest band in the world in 1998.

is was kind of fun, if not a little infuriating, watching the whole legal battle over 'bittersweet symphony' [the band ultimately had to fork over every single last penny they made from the single to the suits who own the publishing rights to the rolling stones back catalogue, or some nonsense like that ]. i remember the incredible video featuring a cadaverous richard ashcroft owning a street somewhere in dear old blighty. i remember the giddiness i felt when i got to see them live down in l.a. verve concerts are, well, a mind-bend. needless to say they did not disappoint. 'urban hymns' [which i still listen to regularly and remains to this day one of my favorite albums of all-time] was kind of the last big anthemic britpop album. and it was brilliant.

well, richard ashcroft and nick mccabe had their 'artistic differences' issues and the band split up not too long after. richard ashcroft went off and did some solo albums [the first being absolutely essential listening, the other two merely ok]. nick mccabe probably went off and did some guitar noodling. i have no idea what simon and pete did, though.

but since their break up, i've been hoping for a verve reunion. see, kids, what happens if you wish hard enough? [i'm kidding, of course]. your favorite bands get back together!! yes, yes. it's not really news anymore, but in case you hadn't heard, the verve are back together, playing festivals over on the other side of the pond and finishing up a new album. two songs, so far, have made it out in to the public: 'love is noise' and 'mover.' in a word: brilliant. 'love is noise' is a shot of adrenaline straight into the bloodstream. i think i've listened to it about 30 times in the last three days. it's incredible.

here's hoping they'll hit our shores next fall. i doubt they'd play salt lake, but i sure wish they would. i'd like nothing more than to see nick, richard, pete and simon up on stage once again because, let's face it, their return will be volcanic.

→ the verve: love is noise
→ the verve: mover
→ the verve: on your own | video
→ the verve: sonnet | video