Urban Hymns

The Verve's *Urban Hymns* (1997) sold 10 million copies and earned the 1998 Brit Award for Best British Album, driven by the sweeping orchestral hit "Bitter Sweet Symphony". The track's iconic string riff, sampled from a 1965 orchestral cover, sparked a legal battle that cost the band 100% of royalties, yet it propelled the album to triple-platinum status in the UK and US. While #9's *Automatic for the People* excels in consistent mood, *Urban Hymns* offers a wider dynamic range, from the shoegaze grit of "Come On" to the anthemic "The Drugs Don't Work". It stands as the most emotionally resonant British rock album of the decade, averaging four tracks per side on vinyl releases.