Urban Hymns (Remastered 2016)

The Verve

Urban Hymns (Remastered 2016)

Review

Urban Hymns (Remastered 2016) by The Verve is a powerful revisit to one of the most iconic Britpop albums of the 90s. The remastering breathes new life into the lush instrumentation and sweeping orchestral arrangements that define the band’s sound. Tracks like Bitter Sweet Symphony and The Drugs Don’t Work retain their emotional weight, while the improved audio clarity enhances the depth of Richard Ashcroft’s vocals and Nick McCabe’s atmospheric guitar work. The remastered edition also highlights the subtleties in lesser-known gems like Sonnet and Weeping Willow, showcasing the band’s versatility beyond their biggest hits. The production feels richer and more immersive, without sacrificing the raw emotion that made the original release so compelling. Urban Hymns remains a quintessential part of the Britpop era, and this remastered version is a worthy tribute to its enduring legacy—sounding both nostalgic and revitalized for a new generation of listeners.

Info

**Urban Hymns (Remastered 2016) – The Verve** Originally released on September 29, 1997, in the UK and on September 30, 1997, in the US, *Urban Hymns* is the third studio album by English rock band The Verve. The 2016 remastered edition was released to commemorate the album’s legacy, offering enhanced audio quality and additional material. The album achieved major commercial success, reaching number 1 on the UK Albums Chart and peaking at number 23 on the US Billboard 200. It features some of the band's biggest hits, including "Bitter Sweet Symphony," "The Drugs Don’t Work," and "Lucky Man." *Urban Hymns* was released under the Hut Recordings/Virgin Records labels. The recording sessions took place at Olympic Studios and Air Studios in London. The album was produced by Chris Potter and The Verve themselves, with the band’s frontman Richard Ashcroft playing a significant creative role. The remastered version maintains the original's sweeping production and emotion while enhancing its sonic depth for modern listeners.

Tracklisting

  1. 1. Bitter Sweet Symphony - Remastered 2016
  2. 2. Sonnet
  3. 3. The Rolling People
  4. 4. The Drugs Don't Work
  5. 5. Catching The Butterfly
  6. 6. Neon Wilderness
  7. 7. Space And Time
  8. 8. Weeping Willow
  9. 9. Lucky Man
  10. 10. One Day
  11. 11. This Time
  12. 12. Velvet Morning
  13. 13. Come On / Deep Freeze - Hidden Track