The Verve Pipe Album: “I've Suffered a Head Injury”

While this album has only seven songs, it is worth every penny. "acting as your slave" is one of the most georgeous songs I have heard in a long time - and anyone who remembers the beginnings of pop-rap, like vanilla ice, and mc hammer, ... will have a chuckle to themselves as they listen to "i've suffered a head injury". The chorus of "ark of the envious" is one catchy little ditty, 'if you do not care you will not cry, if you do not dare you will not try'. Okay, the music is not as complex as the latter tvp albums, but that is part of the charm. If you enjoyed Villians, you will enjoy this album.

jgbcincinnati - How Ironic. Back in 1991, while attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, I went to a bar called "Ricks" to check out the local talent. I recall one evening watching this amazing band. They had a group of loyal followers but it was my first time hearing such amazing vocals and musicianship in such a venue. After the show, I immediatly purchased the CD with the original version of the Freshmen. I dont normally do this but I asked the band to autograph the CD sleeve.

After the show, I recall telling all my friends how great this band was and how they had to see them the next time they came around.

Proud to say that I still have and listen to this amazing CD

I agree that its a shame the this version of the Freshmen never made it out mainstream

I saw this band my freshman year at Club Soda in Kalamazoo Michigan and was blown away. I have loved this album since it was released (thier first). For those of you that were introduced to TVP with Villians you need to go back and buy this album.

The Freshman debuted on this album and is later known as 'the fast version' (in concert atlease I have heard Brian refer to it as this) and is the most raw of the three or four recorded versions I have heard. Excellent.

One of my greatest memories was singing along to Martyr Material in concert at "The State Theatre" in Kalamazoo, MI with a pile of my friends.

I cannot say enough about this freshman appearance by a chronically underrated band.

TF

WOW! This is my edited review - the first was made after a week of listening. This after two months of non-stop listening. Move over Villains, this is my favorite TVP album. A Top 10, Take It To The Desert Island selection.

One song lends to another. Acting As Your Slave with perhaps the best two lines ever (the first two).

Not sure why someone would like Pop Smear (or Villains) and not like this album. While obviously coarser and less complex than those, the lyrics, driving drums and guitar, and seeds of future creativity are all there. Brilliant stuff.

If you can, try to get the original album (you will have to get it used) - the acoustic version of Freshman is a great alternative to the later Villains' version, and there are two other songs also not on the current version.

Early Verve Pipe is great. Brian really knows how to put songs together. Each song sticks with you and you keep singing it over and over again. He knows what he is doing and just gets better and better. Really enjoyed it.