The Verve - A Northern Soul
Subsumed in myth and hearsay, the backdrop to the making of The Verve’s second album, issued in July 1995, has been thoroughly documented. It is a matter of record that the turbulent chemistry within the band – Richard Ashcroft, Nick McCabe, Simon Jones and Pete Salisbury - during its making forced the first fracturing of their union shortly after its release, but listening now it is also clear that it is one of the finest rock albums of the era.
As such it is a worthy addition to the UK National Album Day 2025 celebration of the genre; a record of towering musicianship on which four lads from Wigan delivered more than an hour of frequently heavy, brooding and confessional grooves, with their trademark psychedelic blooms and affecting melodies in full effect. And it’s worth noting that producer Owen Morris, who was central to the excesses that fuelled the album sessions, made a significant creative contribution. According to guitarist McCabe, he managed to capture the power of the band’s live performances on record better than anyone they have ever worked with.
Though it was largely disregarded by mainstream press and radio outlets when it first appeared, A Northern Soul has deservedly picked up a ‘cult’ following on both sides of the Atlantic, with many of those that missed it first time around becoming converts following the monster success of Urban Hymns.
As lead singer Richard Ashcroft put it at the time: "[The] doors have opened for me personally with my writing. We've been liberated. Touring, you get lost on a rock and roll adventure. You're on the Stardust trip…. But then you come home and it's time to get twenty Regal and a pastie and assess who you are. That's why the new album's got more soul to it. It's modern Northern blues."
The bone-crunching riff of ‘This Is Music’ was unleashed as the lead single in May 1995, followed by the reflective acoustic gem ‘On Your Own’ a month later. The group then went on the road in the UK - including appearances at the Glastonbury and Phoenix Festivals - and the US before returning to the UK to play at Glasgow’s T in the Park.
At its conclusion, Ashcroft announced his departure from the band and the third single, ‘History’, was released after they parted ways. In retrospect it offered a foretaste of Ashcroft’s songwriting direction on Urban Hymns but on its release the idea that another album by The Verve might ever exist appeared fanciful and A Northern Soul was regarded as a worthy full stop to short but incandescent career.
TRACKLISTING
Side 1
A New Decade
This Is Music
On Your Own
So It Goes
Side 2
A Northern Soul
Brainstorm Interlude
Drive You Home
Side 3
History
No Knock On My Door
Life’s An Ocean
Side 4
Stormy Clouds
(Reprise)
PRODUCT DETAILS
Artist: The Verve
Label: Virgin Music Ltd
Condition: New
Genre: Rock & Pop Re-Issues
Format: Vinyl LP
Cat Number: 4786539
Released: 26th May 2023
Subsumed in myth and hearsay, the backdrop to the making of The Verve’s second album, issued in July 1995, has been thoroughly documented. It is a matter of record that the turbulent chemistry within the band – Richard Ashcroft, Nick McCabe, Simon Jones and Pete Salisbury - during its making forced the first fracturing of their union shortly after its release, but listening now it is also clear that it is one of the finest rock albums of the era.
As such it is a worthy addition to the UK National Album Day 2025 celebration of the genre; a record of towering musicianship on which four lads from Wigan delivered more than an hour of frequently heavy, brooding and confessional grooves, with their trademark psychedelic blooms and affecting melodies in full effect. And it’s worth noting that producer Owen Morris, who was central to the excesses that fuelled the album sessions, made a significant creative contribution. According to guitarist McCabe, he managed to capture the power of the band’s live performances on record better than anyone they have ever worked with.
Though it was largely disregarded by mainstream press and radio outlets when it first appeared, A Northern Soul has deservedly picked up a ‘cult’ following on both sides of the Atlantic, with many of those that missed it first time around becoming converts following the monster success of Urban Hymns.
As lead singer Richard Ashcroft put it at the time: "[The] doors have opened for me personally with my writing. We've been liberated. Touring, you get lost on a rock and roll adventure. You're on the Stardust trip…. But then you come home and it's time to get twenty Regal and a pastie and assess who you are. That's why the new album's got more soul to it. It's modern Northern blues."
The bone-crunching riff of ‘This Is Music’ was unleashed as the lead single in May 1995, followed by the reflective acoustic gem ‘On Your Own’ a month later. The group then went on the road in the UK - including appearances at the Glastonbury and Phoenix Festivals - and the US before returning to the UK to play at Glasgow’s T in the Park.
At its conclusion, Ashcroft announced his departure from the band and the third single, ‘History’, was released after they parted ways. In retrospect it offered a foretaste of Ashcroft’s songwriting direction on Urban Hymns but on its release the idea that another album by The Verve might ever exist appeared fanciful and A Northern Soul was regarded as a worthy full stop to short but incandescent career.
TRACKLISTING
Side 1
A New Decade
This Is Music
On Your Own
So It Goes
Side 2
A Northern Soul
Brainstorm Interlude
Drive You Home
Side 3
History
No Knock On My Door
Life’s An Ocean
Side 4
Stormy Clouds
(Reprise)
PRODUCT DETAILS
Artist: The Verve
Label: Virgin Music Ltd
Condition: New
Genre: Rock & Pop Re-Issues
Format: Vinyl LP
Cat Number: 4786539
Released: 26th May 2023