To Care or Not to Care: The Verve reunite

amy Tue, Oct 2, 2007 at 03:56 AM EST

The original Verve line up is the four of them without Simon Tong. He was only a member for a brief 2 years to replace Nick McCabe.

Nick is the Verve. Judging what they will sound like is a moot point. They made amazing albums when they were together. I doubt this will be another Urban Hymns album. I am sure they are going back to basics. Which is not too shabby.

Adam Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 07:01 PM EST

This is FREAKIN' awesome! And i kind of like that it's the ORIGINAL Verve without Tong (no offense to Tong). I like Ashcroft's solo stuff but I'm ready for him to ROCK again and I believe McCabe and Co will bring that out of him. THIS IS MUSIC!!!

Alicia Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 05:02 PM EST

Oh, I don't know about that. I'd rather listen to ANY Pulp song than most of "Jarvis" or the "Relaxed Muscle" album.

Addendum Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 12:50 PM EST

Pulp were great (the best really), but that's mostly thanks to Jarvis Cocker. The rest of his band were just along for the ride. He's better off sticking to the solo work. Afterall, he's always been more a Nick Cave/Serge/Cohen style songwriter. Being in a band collective just takes the wind from his sails.

Stargazer fan Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 12:20 PM EST

I liked Verve like anyone, and I have the greatest hits album, if they reunite ok, if not ok again. I'd rather see a Blur reunion happen or Happy Mondays or my fave Adorable. 90's Brit pop is still great to listen to today...it beats emo pop anyday.

Scott Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 12:01 PM EST

I can't wait for A Verve reunion. They are one of my all tim e favs and Richard Ashcroft is one of the best Rock singers of all time. Plus, his solo CD's are better than you have implied. Bring on the new album!

Shane Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 11:25 AM EST

The Verve getting back together is very exciting. But let's not forget the other exciting reunion that's already happened to another 90's Britpop band - Kula Shaker!

G-Dog Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 11:13 AM EST

You bother to write this but you obviously aren't a fan. You don't even mention "Northern Soul"? "History" is one of the best songs ever. 90's nostalgia is coming and I for one am okay with it. Out with "Icky Chump", in with some old school Brit Pop!

cRAIG Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 11:03 AM EST

i saw them @ Hammerstein Ballroom/ New York in '97: one of my favorite shows ever. Urban Hymns and A Northern Soul are fantastic records...

MAC Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 10:51 AM EST

Thanks! That explains how you could not mention it, my apologies. What are they doing now btw?

Sam Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 09:25 AM EST

To MAC: "Freshmen" was by Verve Pipe, not the Verve

MAC Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 08:55 AM EST

How could you not mention "Freshmen?"

Jen Thu, Jun 28, 2007 at 07:31 AM EST

YES!!! I am very very excited about this. And missing Simon Tong only means the return of the ORIGINAL Verve line-up -- while I agree that some of the later songs were beautiful ballads, I actually was a bigger fan of the hazy, psychedelic stuff that they started out with, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that the new material sounds a bit like that. Now we just need some U.S. tour dates ...

emily Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 06:45 PM EST

I got there last cd because i like there only hit. The only standout songs are the Drugs dont work and sonnet. The rest is listenble but nothing to rave about. So i really would not care if they reform.

Stephen Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 06:14 PM EST

Well this is a hell of a lot better than a Spice Girls reunion.

britrockfan Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 05:12 PM EST

"Plenty of other great tunes..." and fails to mention "The Drugs Don't Work"?? If you don't know the song, go check it out! There's a reason it was found to be the saddest song; beautiful, beautiful song!

John Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 04:31 PM EST

This is big news. Looking forward to this.

Soul Sister Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 04:30 PM EST

I'm excited having just heard about this. Ashcroft has been way too happy with the wife and kids...something that has made his solo albums less than stellar. Perhaps being with the rest of the group will create more of a balanced sound. Or maybe the creative differences the band's been struggling with off and on will be harnessed here so they can rock out once again. (fingers crossed!)

David Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 03:52 PM EST

There's no point in lamenting the non-particiaption of Simon Tong of all people. He was originally there to replace guitarist/moody genius, Nick McCabe, when we wasn't invited back for the first reunion initially (The Verve broke up the first time in 1995 after their second album "A Northern Soul" was released. This is the original Verve! And, YES, I am excited that they're getting back together again even if Richard Ashcroft has become a bit of bore. Hearing more Nick McCage (who's be silent for the past 10 years) is the real treat here!