https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jmf9UQ3YIs Standout track: 'History' This might seem like an odd choice. In fact, some would argue that The Verve were never truly involved in the Britpop scene at all. That's certainly true in the case of 1997's hugely successful Urban Hymns, which came at a time when Britpop seemed to have run its course. But while that album began to stray towards the cleaner guitar style of the new millennium, the band's second release A Northern Soul carried a more distinct Britpop edge that arguably defined them as part of the movement. Marking a move away from the band's psychedelia and shoegaze roots towards an alternative rock sound, the album was unique in that it endowed familiar rock structures with a sombre elegance. 'This Is Music', with its crunching riffs and heavy percussion, was perhaps most reminiscent of Oasis and co. at the time. But it's the lush orchestral arrangements of 'History' that stand out here, conjuring up a sweeping soundscape that ranks among the period's more tender moments. The result is an album that's powerful, deep, and almost unimaginably dark. The debate about The Verve's place in the industry goes on to this day, but A Northern Soul was an essential addition to the Britpop scene that just seems to get better with every listen. Honourable mention: Urban Hymns
History graduate, writer, and long-suffering Spurs fan interested in all things music and sports-related. Once briefly held the title of world's youngest person.
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