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The Verve Pipe - Pop Smear Audio CD

A fair review of the The Verve Pipe "Pop Smear" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all The Verve Pipe reviews here, or go back to the The Verve Pipe tabs.

The Verve Pipe Band: The Verve Pipe
Title: Pop Smear
Rating:
Release Date: 1995-09-05
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Pretty for You 2: Spoonful of Sugar 3: Victoria 4: Honest 5: River 6: Sleepy Town 7: Bullies on Vacation 8: What You Wanted 9: Wanna Be 10: Out Like a Lamb 11: Senator Speak 12: Is It Worth It?

Where the Pipe should have gone - 5 part harmonies
The majority of all-grown-up-nows who remember that tune probably have no clue that the Verve Pipe were all amazing performers capable of intricate live harmonies while they rocked out. It was a complete shame that the guys in the Pipe sold out to the post-grungey folk for the tepid 'hit' single "the Freshmen". You don't exactly see that kind of thing every day, and those that try it usually do not succeed outside of the studio. The Vander Ark bros and co were truly the cream of the Michigan power pop scene back in the early 90's, and this record ably demonstrates that. A little thin in spots, instrumentally, on this recording, but this does not take away from the fact that the Verve Pipe men could all truly sing, and do so here to powerful effect.

I detracted a star as the songs on this record, while the best of their bunch, were not strong as a whole product. Nevetheless, a versatile, impressive best effort from these guys, even pre major-label.

Notes of interest: Verve Pipe won the Yamaha soundcheck competition back then, and sold over 50k of records themselves in a time before everyone knew what the internet and email and myspace were. . . . I salute 'em!.


Album Release
I went to the album release party and had one of the most memorable concert experiences I can remember. I was a Verve Pipe fan for years before this album was released.

They had reels and reels of black and white footage of odd things being played forward and back on the screen above them during the concert that led to a very surreal concert experience. They are true artists and put on an ungodly concert that night.

As far as the album goes I would say it is one notch below 'Villians' or 'I've Suffered a Head Injury' but is still great. "Bullies on Vacation" finally made it on this album but it was written far before it finally was recorded. It is a great song, but you can hear that it is Brian in his earlier writing years.

"Senator Speak" is Brian critiquing pop culture. It is a great song and talks much of what politics have become.

"What you wanted" was a song that was timely for me. Breaking up is never easy to do - but when you have a song like this to play on a constant loop, it somehow makes it better. One of thier best songs both vocally and lyrically.

"Spoonful of Sugar" is my pick for best song on this album. Worth the cost of entry for the entire album.

TF.


My favorite CD of all time
When this album came out in '93, it really got me into music. This album is just fantastic. Many do not know that The Freshman was written before this album even came out, let alone Villians and even then it took almost a year for the album to get any good pub.

Great song writing by Brian Vander Ark, vocal harmony and instrumentation is what make this album excellent. Out Like a Lamb is my favorite song ever and you can't go wrong with any song on here.

I've been able to meet Mr. Vander Ark and he is one of the nicest and humblest people I've ever met. If you don't have this in your collection, you should.


Best Verve Pipe album?
Personally, I go with Villains, but for me the three albums - I've Suffered A Head Injury, Pop Smear, and Villains - are like a boxed set, and I can't imagine not having any one of them.


Best Verve Pipe album?
Personally, I go with Villains, but for me the three albums - I've Suffered A Head Injury, Pop Smear, and Villains - are like a boxed set, and I can't imagine not having any one of them.


You can see a complete list of all The Verve Pipe discography, or go back to the The Verve Pipe tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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