Customer Reviews

Verve

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD, I think their first real release, shows the early experimental genius of The Verve. When most rock bands write and perform music as a career, The Verve see it as their mission in life. The five tracks on this CD combine seemingly bare minimum lyrics with psychadelic guitars to create extremely memorable and beautiful music. I've never realy understood when people call a song "beautiful", but after listening to this CD I found the meaning for myself.

Although not as refined as their later work, The Verve EP is an incredible CD, and a must have for any Verve fan.

I love the last two songs ENDLESS LIFE and FEEL. Lyrics didnt really mean a thing to Verve at this time. They were just used as another instrument to compliment the atmosphere of the music. Using pauses, drawing out words flow like the guitar. I really like the drumming on FEEL, it has a hypnotic quality that draws you in and keeps your head bobbing. the song is 10 and half minutes long but it goes by fast. A MAN CALLED SUN is very spooky and very good.

"A Man Called Sun" may be the best produced song ever. Previously "Riders On The Storm" by The Doors got my vote, but this song is just about perfect.

Verve were one of the most overlooked bands of the enitre decade. America only took notice of the wigan quartet when they would go on to release their Bitter Sweet Symphony single and album Urban Hymns. In that time Verve amassed a catalogue that in my opinion, is the greatest of all time. There's no other artist in history that matters or means as much as Verve. This EP is a great start, in fact I would advise any newcomers to the band to start right here and progress forward, because each album in their discography exudues self awareness and confidence in changing sounds and you would be better off starting at the beginning.

Here's what you'll get in alll

Gravity Grave - It's an epic recodring, with the trance-like bassline that Simon Jones gets into its clearly a danceable song. Nick Mccabe brings in the brilliant use of his guitar to full effect, with delay and reverb in tow. The overall sound of the guitarwork is incredible, i can't imagine a better guiotar player ever in history then Nick Mccabe. Also, the lyrics are just heavenly, "to me you're like a setting sun, you rise then you're gone." Richard Ashcroft again dazzles me with his vocals which are insanely perfect.

A Man Called Sun - Another brilliant track, this song is a clear example of the brilliant work that Nick Mccabe can do with a minimalistic approach. Richard Ashcroft sings with a silenced voice, he does that a lot on earlier Verve recording such as this and A Storm In Heaven, it adds to the atmosphere.

She's a Superstar - This is pure cosmic bliss. In a perfect world people would have been listening to this slow, surreal ballad instead of the grunge rock music. This is a gorgeous song full of beauty in shiny guitars and again vocals that are just epic. This isn't just a record, its already a classic, beating out anything before it and anything afterward.

Endless Life - A beautiful atmospheric tone introduces the song and takes you into a meditative state. The song gradually builds up to a climax and Verve are taking us for one wild journey. Rochard Ashcroft is singing very muted almost, but it adds once again to the aurreal effect, like it's happening before you and you're a part of it all.

Feel - The closing song is over 10 minutes in length, and incredible song in it's own right. The beautiful shimmer of Nick Mccabes gutiar work still clearly evident. Also the brilliant use of the id section where a funnel of feedback is sed to introduce the end, it just shows how experiemtnal this band was in their make- up.

Clearly put, the greatest EP release ever and a classic none can top, this is except for Verve.

This E.P. is so beautiful. "She's A Superstar" and "A Man Called Sun" are my favorites, but every one of the five tracks is flawless. What wonderful textures. Even better than "A Storm in Heaven."

If you like the laid-back, atmospheric grooves of A Storm in Heaven, this EP is for you. Although there aren't any real rockers on this cd, fans of The Verve's more subdued early efforts will find this release is every bit as good as the band's best work. Granted, the studio version of Gravity Grave (the album's first track) is not as sonically powerful as the live version that appears on the No Come Down EP, but, instead the focus shifts more towards the atmospheres,bass grooves, and Ashcroft's elemental delivery than raw power. An excellent cd.

The CD is worth the purchase solely for "A Man Called Sun."

True space rock. Of essential listening, as well as the aforementioned track, is "Gravity Grave," which is also a stellar live track on the B-Side and live CD "No Come Down."

This is the perfect ambiance for writing, eating, kicking back, whatever. Lush, dreamy tracks are incredibly inspiring. Richard's voice floats and melds with the music, rather than trying to dominate it (ie, the warbling for On Your Own). Personal favorite is Man Called Sun- beautiful vocals fade to the background and for the last few minutes it's intrumental. Despite the five tracks, this EP is about half an hour (if I remember correctly) and the last track, Feel, goes for about ten minutes. The odd thing is that you don't even notice! All the sudden it just ends. My only regret is that it isn't longer. Beautiful work.

This is just another shoegazing magical experience of jangling guitars and frustrated dreams of flying.This album is almost flawless and I recommend listening to it while you're sleeping, while you're dreaming of flying above your mind, above your feelings, above your suol.

Everything the Verve have done has a touch of magic but this is when they were really flying. This is the original, the youthful pre-commercial Verve. The best Verve.