Urban Hymns – The Verve
Released in 1997, Urban Hymns is The Verve’s critically acclaimed third studio album and a defining work of the Britpop era. Fusing orchestral rock with psychedelic textures and deeply introspective lyrics, the album propelled the band to international fame. Anchored by the iconic single “Bitter Sweet Symphony,” it remains one of the best-selling albums in UK history. Produced by Youth and featuring string arrangements by Wil Malone, Urban Hymns captured a raw emotional energy that resonated far beyond its time.
Key Highlights
- Includes era-defining tracks such as “Bitter Sweet Symphony”, “The Drugs Don’t Work”, and “Lucky Man”
- A genre-spanning blend of Britpop, symphonic rock, and neo-psychedelia
- Orchestral arrangements elevate the album’s sweeping, anthemic sound
- Commonly released as a 2xLP set for superior audio dynamics and clarity
- Remastered editions and anniversary pressings often include heavyweight vinyl and deluxe packaging
Tracklisting
Side A
1. Bitter Sweet Symphony
2. Sonnet
3. The Rolling People
Side B
4. The Drugs Don’t Work
5. Catching the Butterfly
6. Neon Wilderness
Side C
7. Space and Time
8. Weeping Willow
9. Lucky Man
10. One Day
Side D
11. This Time
12. Velvet Morning
13. Come On
Fun Fact
Although “Bitter Sweet Symphony” became the band’s signature song, it was embroiled in a legal dispute for decades due to its orchestral sample from an Andrew Loog Oldham arrangement of a Rolling Stones song—rights that were only officially returned to The Verve in 2019.
Why You Should Buy This Vinyl
- A landmark of 1990s British rock with enduring critical and popular acclaim
- Double LP format enhances fidelity and listening experience
- Essential for fans of Britpop, alternative rock, and emotionally charged songwriting
- Features lush instrumentation and atmospheric production ideal for vinyl playback
Urban Hymns stands as a towering achievement of British music—a stirring, cinematic album that still resonates powerfully in the analogue warmth of vinyl.