The Verve

The Verve, Glasgow Academy (November 2). Ashcroft said little between songs, other than saying it was good to be back in Glasgow. When he took the stage, however, he strode to the mic and shouted 'this is music!', before launching into the track of the same name. Pic: Andy Willsher

Love Is Noise

Jul 25, 2008
16 Comments
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Richard Ashcroft is a one-poet kind of guy. After rearranging William Blake’s ‘London’ as ‘History’, he’s only gone and re-bored another of the mystic’s opening lines: “Will those feet in modern times walk on soles that were made in China?” Richard herein queries. Dicky, whatever the question is, when you say it like that, the answer’s ‘yes’. Maybe not the ‘Bitter Sweet Second Symphony’ some were hoping for, but pitched confidently between ‘A Song For The Lovers’ and ‘Neon Wilderness’, as its swirling cauldron coda of feedback closed their Glastonbury set, 50,000 faces nonetheless glazed into awe.

Gavin Haynes

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Comments (16)

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jumbo999

Jul 26, 2008

sounds soooo much better live

arice

Jul 26, 2008

really ? this sounds so so tired ... so so m o r . In these currently lively MGMT , Crystal Castles etc times , the verve comeback sounds very very Mall friendly to me / Simply redesq self posturing dullness

donnymfc

Jul 26, 2008

Pull you tongue out of Ashcrofts arsehole - this is nonsense, with the most irritating hook ever,ever,ever. Boring.

Jimmy2605

Jul 28, 2008

Comparing the Verve to MGMT and Crystal Castles is bollocks and pointless. They are both buzz bands - no one will give a shit if they split and then reform. Simply because their music is livelier doesnt make it better. The Verve coming back and the album is the most exciting album of the year. Within in that is the sign that over the last few years no truly great bands have appeared - just bullshit buzz bands. Great single - good review - bring on the album !!

Servo

Jul 28, 2008

i like it, don care what everyone else thinks good comeback, lookin forward to the new album

Grimbo

Jul 28, 2008

this is like an ashcroft solo song. nothing exciting, but enough to get verve fans wetting their pants.

AdamHiggins1

Jul 28, 2008

I'm in love with everything the Verve and Richard Ashcroft have ever done. I saw them play what Richard himself claimed was their best ever gig at the Roundhouse last November and I anticipate with great excitement seeing them at V this year. What a great band and a great comeback tune! I first discovered this song on youtube; a live performance at Coachella...and it blew me away just as it still does. Love 'em :)

Faby The Baby

Jul 30, 2008

How many festival and headline slots have they had this year, ' without bringing out a new album previous'..... I rest my case.... I was at Glastonbury and to finish the whole festival with a song that know one knows 'and rock it' was simply unforgettably awesome. Well done lads you nailed it....

milo2020

Jul 30, 2008

"50,000 faces nonetheless glazed into awe." but was it awe or just complete and total boredom?

rebelbuttmunch

Jul 30, 2008

really really annoying noise.

James2222159

Jul 31, 2008

Love this tune great stuff.

steveeygeee

Aug 1, 2008

not the come back track i was hoping for sounds like they got the teletubbies to do the annoying backing vocals!

somecoolusername

Aug 1, 2008

Nah, haven't decided how I'll be spending my Sunday evening at V Festival but it WON'T be watching The Verve, it's a tie between Guillemots, The Chemical Brothers, The Kaiser Chiefs, alcohol and scratching my own eyes out.

Apron Strings

Aug 4, 2008

Best song I've ever seen/heard live. Fact.

tam

Aug 11, 2008

it might not be the "bitter sweet second symphony" but if a band stayed the same and kept repeating itself 10 years after the first time they had done it, then they wouldn't be very good musicians would they?

kim08

Aug 11, 2008

loving this song at the moment. The Verve have had so many superb tunes out, so to make a comeback with 'love is noise', i think they are in for a good band career second time round after the split. nice one boys x