Lucky Man - EP

Album Review

In the early days the Verve released anti-singles, with A-sides like the oceanic "She's a Superstar" or the psychedelic thrash pop of "Slide Away" and "Blue," but with their later albums they found a formula for (semi-)commercial success — acoustic guitar, orchestral string arrangement, and world-weary vocals — and beat it into the ground with "On Your Own," "History," "The Drugs Don't Work," and "Lucky Man." The B-side, "Never Want to See You Cry," is another variation on the theme, but with less polished production values (hence, B-side). Perhaps in an effort to enlighten newer fans to the music of the Verve's first incarnation, the single ends with A Northern Soul's "History."