Pros: One truly amazing song, two decent songs, and one okay song.
Cons: Could have been more versions of Bittersweet Symphony.
The Bottom Line: I recommend this to sometimes fans of The Verve. If you are in fact a true fan, pick up Bittersweet Symphony #1 and Bittersweet Symphony #2 instead.
lambchops's Full Review: Bittersweet Symphony [Single] by The Verve
The Verve might just be better known for their highly publicized copyright spat with The Rolling Stones and their former manager than for their music. The English foursome has to date released three full length albums, the most notable of which is by far their most recent, Urban Hymns. They parted ways in early 1999 so no more new material is expected from The Verve.
Bittersweet Symphony is the single that catapulted them from relative obscurity to lauded Britpop/Alternative band. Led by charismatic vocalist and guitarist Richard Ashcroft and supported by talented lads Simon Jones (bass), Nick McCabe (guitar) and Peter Salisbury (drums) in addition to the guitars of Simon Tong, The Verve sounds rich and complete on their 1997 career highpoint. Urban Hymns contains thirteen songs, only one of which is featured on the popular single to Bittersweet Symphony (1998) …the obvious one, actually. The other three featured tracks are rarities of sorts having only been featured on singles and not any of the three full length offerings.
Track Listing:
1. Bittersweet Symphony
2. Lord I Guess I’ll Never Know
3. So Sister
4. Echo Bass
The most important track is of course Bittersweet Symphony…the song that in addition has been forced to give writing credit to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Why, you ask? Well, Ashcroft lifted a small, obscure musical phrase from an orchestral arrangement of The Last Time released in 1966. The Stones were so unhappy about the sample that The Verve was forced to relinquish all royalties to their copywriters.
With that said, Bittersweet Symphony is indeed a lovely track. It’s a rocking, sweeping, melodic and an ultimately memorable masterpiece for The Verve. This is the kind of song that really defines a band. In fact, the song will in all likelihood outlive any memory of the band for many less musically savvy listeners. Bittersweet Symphony is a song that embeds itself deep into the psyche and subsequently swirls around. Every time I listen to the track it becomes more important and more lovely. Layers upon layers of melody, music, vocals, and guitar define this as a remarkable song. Here’s a quick lyrical sample to jog your memory:
'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life
Try to make ends meet
Try to find some money, then you die
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you
to the places where all the things meet yeah
As I’ve already mentioned, there are in fact three other songs on this single. I like this fact, but would have preferred that (as with the other two singles) alternate versions would have been included in addition. The only other place that Lord I Guess I’ll Never Know appeared was on the Bittersweet Symphony #1 disc. This particular track is smooth with psychedelic influences. In addition, it is the perfect showcase for the dueling guitars offered by Tong and McCabe.
The final two tracks were both original to Bittersweet Symphony #2. Of the two, I’m most impressed by So Sister. Ashcroft’s vocals sound lovely and evocative while the song as a whole moving and really very creative. Finally, Echo Bass, yet another b-side, wraps the four song single up neatly with a groovy, funky bass line and an up tempo beat. I enjoy the song, just not quite as much as the other three.
As a whole, this is a fulfilling single. As I already mentioned, I would have certainly preferred more versions of Bittersweet Symphony. It’s nice to have the other three tracks, but not quite nice enough to make this a five-star disc.
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