I remember when i first time I saw them on second stage of Loll. back in the day. I stumble upon them, the music they were playing was great. The following day the bought the tape. Now that dating me. anyway I had to add this cd to my collection finally. Good times.
June 28, 2008 |  | Often imitated, never duplicated |  |
"Urban Hymns" lovers might not care for it, but this is the best of the Verve's fleeting but extraordinary and influential career. A Storm in Heaven easily makes the list of my top ten albums of all time, which is a list that spans four decades.
There's a little bit of everything in this sonic extravaganza...from softly and pyschedelically haunting to hard driving rock. I have to agree with some of the negative comments about the production work though. The vocals on some tracks are far too muted, relegating Ashcroft's incredible vocals to background instrument status. That's not necessarily a bad thing I suppose, because the multiple lush layers of guitar really shine through.
This is an absolute "must-have" for your collection.
December 30, 2007 | | Great music for a band with a stellar ending | |
I've been a Richard Ashcroft fan since I first heard "Bitter Sweet Symphony" but never ventured backward into the less known (in the United States) first two albums by The Verve. Since I picked up ''This Is Music: The Singles 92-98'' I've wanted to go back and listen to this album and ''A Northern Soul''. After hearing this album I could not stop listening or replaying it. The other reviewers say that this album is one of the most played in their collection and I can see why.
True to the excesses of The Verve at the time, the album has a very mellow and relaxing feel to it. It will calm you and let your mind think, but not in a negative manner. The songs are soft which allows the lyrics and melody to flow together. Some listeners won't be able to get past what seems to be similar sounds from each song or what they perceive as no real separations between songs, but those thoughts are misguided.
If you like "Bitter Sweet Symphony" because it was popular, stay away from this album. But if you would like to explore more of The Verve beyond that song and ''Urban Hymns'', check out this fantastic beginning for a band that never received the credits they deserved.
May 27, 2007a storm in heaven is one of the most gorgeous albums i've ever heard. it is not like the verve's other albums. this is in a genre of it's own. imagine layers upon layers of soothing, swirling creamy guitar melodies and vocals drenched in reverb dreaminess that wrap around your head until you feel as though you're being gently lifted up into the clouds. listening to this album is like being in that place in between sleep and awake. you know, that state of mind when you wake up in your bed and hear the birds chirping outside, but you are still in your dream? that's what this album is like. is it musical paradise.
February 18, 2007| | | Unlike anything I've ever heard. | |
This album is hard to describe but hell, I'm going to try. First off, if your looking to buy this album and the only thing you know about The Vere is "Bittersweet symphony" then this album may not be for you. This is unlike anything The Verve has ever done. With "A Storm in Heaven" the Verve take a very unothadox Jazzy,psychedelic Post rock aproach to their music that is simply awe inspiring. "A Storm in Heaven" has sonic sound scapes and sound walls that would make My Bloody Valentine and Sonic Youth blush. I don't know if it is or not but I like to think "A storm in Heaven" as the spearhead album that paved the way for Post Rock acts like Sigur Ros and Godspeed. It's the first album that I really heard the true essence for what post rock would later build apon. If you're a post rock fan or just like beautiful Psychedelic mood music then this album is a must have. Your music collection will thank you.
February 9, 2007More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(62 reviews)