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THE VERVE PIPE 2001 By Ed McArdle The Verve Pipe (left to right) Brian Vanderark, Doug Corella, A.J. Dunning, and Donny Brown Reinvention is the key to survival in today's vastly populated and constantly changing musical environment. And with their backs firmly up against the wall The Verve Pipe, Mid-Michigan's most successful claim to contemporary Rock 'n Roll fame, have done just that - revitalizing their career and proving themselves rejuvenated once again as a very viable force on the national music scene. By producing "Underneath," an album that is a throwback to the band's formative glory days of "Pop Smear", the band is emphasizing sound, feel, dynamics, and most importantly, great memorable songs. Forgetting style, fashion and trends by following their hearts is what this great collection is all about. The Verve Pipe's fifth album was released this week and features a crisp, clean, and defined groove that separates them from the pack of seemingly similar sounds flooding the market in this day and age. Not compromising their position for the benefit of attracting a wider audience is commendable, especially when regaining a devoted following is important to the band's survival. Long lambasted as "one hit wonders," this new release proves otherwise. Though what follows are, as the album's opening track states, "Only Words," the positive feeling given forth throughout the expanse of this album should propel the band to greater heights, if there is any justice in this world that, admittedly, is getting crazier by the minute. A.J. Dunning of The Verve Pipe..Photo by Janet Reid The Verve Pipe's positive pop music direction can be attributed to the emergence of Drummer Donny Brown of Saginaw as a key songwriter for the first time with this pivotal album in the band's career. This fifth release over the past decade sees Brown taking control from behind his drum kit, writing key, catchy and very memorable tracks. No exaggeration by this statement was evidenced by crowd reaction at a recent Lansing radio-sponsored show. The moment current lead single "Never Let You Down" (which recently peaked at #18 on contemporary rock radio charts) began, the crowd chimed in singing every word while Brown beamed with satisfaction, feeding upon the response and pounding his skins like never before. Having this power translated into the chorus from a crowd of gathered listeners from a song he composed must be a great feeling for the writer. The band's longtime anthem "The Freshmen" has always emitted this type of response, but to now have the new single convey this same entrancing feeling is a very good sign. The band realized a key component to the success of this album occurred at the outset of the recording process with the choice of Adam Schlesinger of Fountains Of Wayne fame to produce. He is light years removed from past production work provided by Marilyn Manson/Hole producer Michael Bienhorn. Schlesinger fell into the same lines as primary writers Brian Vander Ark and Brown and also co-wrote two songs appearing on "Underneath" proving his valuable input and guidance. Donny Brown of The Verve Pipe...Photo by Janet Reid In addition to "Never Let You Down," Brown also wrote four additional album tracks - "Happiness Is," "Medicate Myself," and "Gotta Move On"- a diverse collection of equally catchy tunes, proving his love of the pop rock genre as rendered by their most enduring Beatle and Beach Boy influences. The important aspect of these stellar hand-me-downs to The Verve Pipe's integral vocal harmony component continues to show throughout. Another Saginaw connection, Guitarist AJ Dunning, shines his skills over the fretboard on numerous occasions, providing rather stunning lead breaks which prove his mettle and command of the instrument. Keyboard player Doug Corella also continues to contribute in subtle sonic ways, making The Verve Pipe a band that is surely a sum of its quality parts. What about the bass player then? Spending the past year primarily recording has not been without its setbacks, as original bassist Brad Vander Ark departed the band upon completion of "Underneath" in March. He has been replaced for the upcoming tour by former Papa Vegas (RCA Records 1999 release "Hello Vertigo") singer, guitarist and multi-talented Joel Ferguson, who also currently fronts the Grand Rapids based Miles To Mars. Not to sit idle prior to recording, Brian Vander Ark ventured into acting last year, and the results can be seen with his appearance in the current theatrical release "Rock Star", featuring Mark Walberg and Jennifer Aniston in lead roles. Though relegated to one spoken line he is prominently featured in numerous scenes as the tall long-blonde mullet-haired bass player in "Blood Pollution" a tribute band to the fictional Metal Gods "Steel Dragon." Brian Vanderark of The Verve Pipe...Photo by Janet Reid The masterful Vander Ark composition "Colorful" plays an integral part in the film's moving final scene and appears on the movie's soundtrack alongside classics by heavy stalwarts of the era depicted - Bon Jovi and Motley Crue. Written expressly for inclusion in the movie, but also making the final cut of "Underneath," the song is a grunge-like ballad evoking an emotional response very similar to "The Freshmen". This powerful piece simply must be heard to be believed. The gripping opening line "The show is over, close the storybook, there will be no encore" drips with emotion and reeks of sadness - a true masterwork and the band's next big hit. "Happiness Is" is another potential single composed by Brown's talented hands, demonstrating the wisdom of having him 'come out of hiding' from behind the drums to become unified with Vander Ark as The Verve Pipe's twin guiding force. "I Want All Of You" is a further track worthy of mention among the elite. A description of true love reflective of its title. "Wonderful Waste" is the lone all-out rocker on the release, further stressing the growth personified in this collection of true gems written from a different perspective. Though a bit toned down, these songs will still leave the listener "cranking up the stereo" as urged by this fast paced song. It is noticeable that the rock star image of the past is now long gone, with the band no longer performing in suits and ties. Now each member has returned to their less stylish roots with a back-to-basics look of leisure personifying their new comfortable outlook on life. Jeans and T-Shirts are once again the order of the day, proving once again that The Verve Pipe are not followers but leaders among a rather faceless genre. Conversely the striking cover artwork for "Underneath" jumps off the shelf and is very eye-catching. Full of bright imagery and certainly evoking positive thoughts, it is the band's most striking album cover yet. The days of frog dissection are a distant memory better left behind, as the band is showcased rather covertly. The original four are standing at ease at the end of a well-worn path on top of a hill under the bluest of skies. Several conclusions may be drawn from this significant image - reaching the top was difficult and where the path leads is uncertain at this point. But the skies are certainly clear with promise for a bright future, as this band of survivors is poised for a return to national prominence in 2001. The Verve Pipe will be breaking long-standing tradition and doing things differently regarding touring for this album. Instead of kicking things off in their home state, they will begin a headlining club tour on the West Coast on October 21 and move east across the United States in a plan to return to visit their loved ones for the Holidays. So far this year the band have played four shows in front of their always adoring Michigan fans, and have an additional stop October 13 at Western Michigan University's homecoming before departing. On September 21 at a very memorable and emotionally moving hometown show at the intimate Silver Dollar bar in Lansing, Vander Ark stood center stage and announce: "It would seem frivolous right now to promote ourselves, but we do have a new album coming out. Know that it will still be available to purchase weeks from now, months from now and even years from now. So instead of buying this I urge you to donate your money to the American Red Cross." Following that spirited plea Vander Ark began strumming the familiar introductory chords to "Villains" and then broke into a rousing full band version of The Star Spangled Banner. This impromptu National Anthem appearance seemed unplanned, and the emotional tribute brought an incredible crowd response, bringing the salve of unity in the face of our recent national tragedy. As predicted so cleverly on the "Underneath" cover, blue skies are surely on the horizon for The Verve Pipe in the coming months. The band has survived nine years and there is certainly no reason to witness that union ending any time soon. Indeed, this new musical effort is evidence that "Underneath" has all the necessary ingredients to scale new heights and prove the naysayers wrong. As intoned on three of the track titles - give these Local Boys your support and listen to underneath. You'll be glad you did because they vow to Never Let You Down. Believe it.
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