REVIEW: The Verve Pipe, The Verve Pipe (RCA)
- Karen Mulhern
The self titled, The Verve Pipe, is a study in the redefinition of a band. Where Villains had a consistent, if somewhat overproduced sound, The Verve Pipe does not. Each song varies in styling, tempo, and poetic appeal, yet all share a central theme of lessons learned the hard way. Nowhere is this more evident than in "F-word", an examination of post-"Freshmen" self doubt and the difficulty in moving on. Brian Vander Ark's description of moshing (assault diguised as dancing) and the metaphor that follows (so part the wave and drop the dead as driftwood surfer) make for powerful imagery. In a similar but more upbeat way, "Hero" is a self deprecating look at reconciling who we are with who we think we are. The hard-driving "Supergig" is an expose of fear and the fences thrown up to keep it at bay. "We used to care, we don't anymore," and the repetitiive "there's not a missing link" are said defensively, not as statements of fact.
And what of love and relationships? In "Headlines" they're strictly physical but the narrator is taken to task for being superficial. In the end he realizes "my all was just medium." "Television" explores the sadistic way we wallow in pity when we know we should move past the pain. "Turn it up, turn it down, tune me in, tune me out" clearly shows the quandry. But sometimes relationships are sheer perfection, as seen in the beautifully poetic "Kiss Me Idol." With angelic vocals and a dreamlike melody, Vander Ark sings ,"so close your eyes and catch your breath and I will wait right here." He describes a love so perfect, even a casual listener would be impressed.
The band has described The Verve Pipe as the "record of our lives." With candor, emotion and incredible songwriting, the band has shared with us their growth not only as musicians but as people. In "She Loves Everybody" Donny wrote, "flashing lights, the music's loud, I'm questioning if this is destiny." Without question, this eclectic mix of songs is certainly that and more.
