Album Information:

About The Verve:

The Verve was a British rock band that was formed in 1989 in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The band's original lineup consisted of vocalist Richard Ashcroft, guitarist Nick McCabe, bassist Simon Jones, and drummer Peter Salisbury. Over the years, The Verve developed a reputation for their unique blend of Britpop, shoegaze, and psychedelia.

The band's early years were marked by several EP releases, including 'All in the Mind' (1992), 'She's a Superstar' (1993), and 'Gravity Grave' (1993). However, it wasn't until the release of their debut album 'A Storm in Heaven' in 1993 that The Verve began to gain significant critical acclaim. The album featured hypnotic and dreamy tracks such as 'Slide Away' and 'Star Sail,' and became an instant favorite among fans of shoegaze and psychedelic rock.

The band's follow-up album, 'A Northern Soul,' was released in 1995 and was a commercial success, reaching number 13 on the UK Albums Chart. The album features some of the band's best known tracks, including 'History,' 'On Your Own,' and 'The Rolling People.' However, the recording process was fraught with tension and disagreements between the band members, which led to McCabe leaving the band temporarily.

In 1997, The Verve released their third studio album, 'Urban Hymns,' which became their most successful release to date. The album includes the band's biggest hit, 'Bitter Sweet Symphony,' which reached number two on the UK Singles Chart and became a massive international hit. Other notable tracks on the album include 'The Drugs Don't Work' and 'Lucky Man.'

Despite their success, tensions within the band continued to mount, and in 1999, The Verve announced they were breaking up. However, the band reunited in 2007 and went on to release their fourth and final album, 'Forth,' in 2008. While the album received mixed reviews, it did demonstrate the band's continued ability to innovate and experiment with their sound.

Throughout their career, The Verve was known for their lush, atmospheric soundscapes, Ashcroft's distinctive voice and introspective lyrics, and McCabe's innovative guitar playing. Despite their relatively short career, The Verve's influence on rock music cannot be overstated and they continue to be regarded as one of the most important British rock bands of the 1990s.

About the album Urban Hymns:

Urban Hymns is a classic album released by the British alt-rock band The Verve in 1997. The album is a masterpiece of its time and has since become a landmark of 90s music. It features 13 tracks, each one of them a timeless classic that defines the sound of the era.

The album's opening track 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' quickly became The Verve's signature song, with its distinctive string arrangement and Richard Ashcroft's iconic vocals. The track is instantly recognizable and has been covered and sampled by numerous artists since its release.

The second track 'Sonnet' has a quieter, more introspective feel with its acoustic guitar and gentle melody. The lush instrumentation and atmospheric soundscapes that characterize the album come to the fore in 'The Rolling People' and 'The Drugs Don't Work.' The former is a standout track with its driving rhythm and soaring vocals, while the latter is a poignant and emotional ballad that showcases Ashcroft's songwriting talent.

Other highlights include 'Lucky Man,' a beautiful and uplifting track with a memorable guitar riff and its message of gratitude and hope. 'Weeping Willow' is a moody and atmospheric piece that features an intricate piano melody and a haunting vocal from Ashcroft. 'Catching the Butterfly' is a dreamy and hypnotic track that serves as a showcase for the band's musical experimentation.

One of the album's most powerful moments is the epic 11-minute closer 'Come On,' which builds gradually from a gentle acoustic guitar into a towering, anthemic rock song with soaring vocals and an explosive guitar solo. The track captures all the energy and emotion that The Verve are famous for and serves as a fitting end to this exceptional record.

In short, Urban Hymns is a masterpiece of 90s rock music. It is a unique blend of psychedelic, indie, and alternative sounds that stands the test of time. The album showcases the band's virtuosic musicianship, Richard Ashcroft's powerful vocals and poignant songwriting, and the innovative production by Chris Potter. It's a must-listen for fans of the genre, and one of the greatest albums of all time.

Members:

The Verve was a British rock band formed in 1989. The band members have changed over the years, but the key members are:

1. Richard Ashcroft – Lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter
Richard Ashcroft was born on September 11, 1971, in Lancashire, England. He was a founding member of The Verve and served as the band's lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter. Ashcroft is known for his distinctive voice and introspective lyrics. Outside of The Verve, he has also had a successful solo career, releasing several albums.

2. Simon Tong – Guitarist and keyboardist
Simon Tong was born on July 9, 1972, in Manchester, England. He joined The Verve in 1996 as a guitarist and keyboardist. Tong had previously played with other Manchester-based bands, including The Electric Crayons and The Mouth.

3. Nick McCabe – Lead guitarist
Nick McCabe was born on July 14, 1971, in Stoke-on-Trent, England. He was also a founding member of The Verve and served as the band's lead guitarist. McCabe's atmospheric guitar work is a defining characteristic of The Verve's sound.

4. Peter Salisbury – Drummer
Peter Salisbury was born on June 24, 1971, in Manchester, England. He joined The Verve in 1992 as the band's drummer. Salisbury has also played with other bands, including Black Grape and Suede.

5. Simon Jones – Bassist
Simon Jones was born on October 29, 1972, in Manchester, England. He joined The Verve in 1992 as the band's bassist. Jones is known for his melodic bass playing and was a key contributor to the band's sound.

Note: There were other members who played in The Verve at various times, but these five were the key members for the band's most successful period.

Track List for Urban Hymns:

Sure, here are the tracks in the album 'Urban Hymns' by The Verve, in order, along with their play times and descriptions:

1. 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' (5:58) - A massively popular hit with an iconic string introduction, 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' is a track that seamlessly blends orchestral elements with a rock edge. Lead singer Richard Ashcroft sings about feeling trapped and disillusioned, with the refrain 'I'm a million different people from one day to the next.'

2. 'Sonnet' (4:21) - One of the album's quieter tracks, 'Sonnet' features acoustic guitar and introspective lyrics about 'the sadness of your soul' and searching for meaning. The song builds to a swell of sound at the chorus and ends on a plaintive note.

3. 'The Rolling People' (7:01) - A more experimental tune, 'The Rolling People' begins with dissonant guitar sounds and slowly builds to a driving beat. The lyrics touch on themes of spirituality and transcendence, with Ashcroft singing 'It's a beautiful day / I'm looking for something dumb to do.'

4. 'The Drugs Don't Work' (5:05) - Perhaps the album's most haunting track, 'The Drugs Don't Work' is a stripped-down ballad that deals with the sadness of losing an important person to illness. The lyrics are raw and emotional, with Ashcroft singing 'Like a cat in a bag / Waiting to drown / This time I'm comin' down.'

5. 'Catching the Butterfly' (6:26) - An ethereal song with a dreamy quality, 'Catching the Butterfly' features layered vocals, echoing keyboards, and a sparse guitar riff. The lyrics describe a kind of spiritual awakening, with Ashcroft singing about 'finding a new way to be / A new way to feel.'

6. 'Neon Wilderness' (2:37) - A brief instrumental track that serves as a transition between 'Catching the Butterfly' and the next song.

7. 'Space and Time' (5:36) - This track opens with a guitar riff that echoes 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' before building to a more driving rhythm. The lyrics explore themes of time and impermanence, with Ashcroft singing 'All the things you've thought about / Will occur within the space of one single breath.'

8. 'Weeping Willow' (5:49) - A slower, more reflective song, 'Weeping Willow' features acoustic guitar and a haunting string section. The lyrics are introspective and poetic, with Ashcroft singing 'All the things that you need, child / To feel complete, child / They'll be waiting for you / In the evening time.'

9. 'Lucky Man' (4:53) - Another of the album's biggest hits, 'Lucky Man' is a lush ballad with a memorable opening guitar riff. The lyrics are nostalgic and romantic, with Ashcroft singing about a love that got away and the hope of finding it again.

10. 'One Day' (5:03) - A more upbeat track, 'One Day' features a driving rhythm and a catchy chorus. The lyrics are anthemic and hopeful, with Ashcroft singing 'One day you'll find honest work / That feels like play.'

11. 'This Time' (3:50) - Perhaps the album's most straightforward rock tune, 'This Time' is a fast-paced song with a driving beat and distorted guitar riffs. The lyrics are triumphant and defiant, with Ashcroft singing 'This time I'm gonna do it my way / This time I'm finding out the hard way.'

12. 'Velvet Morning' (4:57) - The album's final track is a moody ballad with a mournful string section and hushed vocals from Ashcroft. The lyrics are poetic and introspective, with Ashcroft singing about 'dreaming of a velvet morning' and wondering what the future holds.

That's a rundown of all the tracks on 'Urban Hymns' by The Verve.

Discography for The Verve:

Here's the complete discography for The Verve, in chronological order:

Albums:
1. A Storm in Heaven - June 1993
2. A Northern Soul - June 1995
3. Urban Hymns - September 1997
4. No Come Down (B-sides and outtakes) - April 1998
5. Astra Heights (compilation album) - November 1999
6. This Is Music: The Singles 92–98 (compilation album) - November 2004
7. Forth - August 2008

Singles:
1. 'All in the Mind' - January 1992
2. 'She's a Superstar' - June 1992
3. 'Gravity Grave' - October 1992
4. 'Blue' - March 1993
5. 'Slide Away' - June 1993
6. 'See You in the Next One (Have a Good Time)' - September 1994
7. 'This Is Music' - February 1995
8. 'On Your Own' - June 1995
9. 'History' - November 1995
10. 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' - June 1997
11. 'The Drugs Don't Work' - September 1997
12. 'Lucky Man' - November 1997
13. 'Sonnet' - April 1998
14. 'The Rolling People' - July 1998
15. 'Catching the Butterfly' - November 1998
16. 'Love Is Noise' - August 2008

Other releases:
1. 'No Come Down' EP - December 1994
2. 'Verve Acoustic EP' - May 1995
3. 'BBC Sessions' - July 1997
4. 'Live at Haigh Hall' - December 1998
5. 'This Could Be My Moment' (single) - July 1999
6. 'Monte Carlo EP' - August 1999
7. 'BBC Radio Sessions' - September 2003
8. 'Live at Glastonbury 2008' - June 2008

Note: This is a complete list of The Verve's official releases up until their disbandment in 2009. It does not include any post-reunion releases from the band members.