The English quintet’s fifth studio release is anything but songs in honor of God. Rather, the album seems to be celebrating the path paved by fellow countrymen Radiohead and Oasis with tripped-out songs focused on distorted sounds and rock ambiance.

The album opens with an interesting rendition of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards’ composition Bitter Sweet Symphony. Behind a swirl of orchestrated strings, lead vocalist and chief songwriter Richard Ashcroft lays down an audacious vocal track that actually accentuates the glimmer twins’ song writing.

The truly touching ballad Sonnet follows and truly strays from clich even with the proverbial chorus (Yeah, there’s love if you want it/Don’t sound like a sonnet). The mellow guitar and Ashcroft’s easy vocals keep the song low-key and slightly away from the typical love song.

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But the rest of the material simply does not live up to Ashcroft’s brash claim that History has a place for us. It may take us three albums, but we will get there. Hey, it has been five albums and The Verve is still not there.

Which is too bad because Urban Rhythms does have enduring qualities and shows potential for the band. The aforementioned songs and The Drugs Don’t Work satiate any body’s appetite for juicy sap.

But unlike Oasis, that backs up its arrogance, and Radiohead, that just plain rocks, The Verve fails to break any ground with its musical talent and ability to mold together balladry with straight-ahead rock n’ roll.