Arriving on a crowded Alternative Rock scene in the mid-90s, The Verve Pipe navigated its way to the top with its 1996 album Villains. The Michigan-based band’s second album, and their major label debut, Villains, rose to platinum status with the top 5 hit single “The Freshman” as its anchor, solidifying them as a band to follow on the scene. Unique among other Alternative Rock bands at the time, The Verve Pipe featured Vocalist Brian Vander Ark with a cleaner singing style, while their songs felt a bit more refined and mature. Also, with a much more layered sound than other Alternative Rock bands, Villains was far more than a few popular singles; it was an album with distinct depth.
Something that followed the Verve Pipe’s path forward, 1999’s self-titled record was a sensational mix of Post-Grunge and Pop that caught your ear. Unfortunately, it did not attain as much commercial success as Villians. Still, it would not be overlooked by dedicated fans. Putting out the equally impressive Underneath in 2001, just one week after the horrific terrorist attacks, spelled doom for commercial performance, and The Verve Pipe would almost immediately go on an indefinite hiatus. Interestingly, in 2009 and 2013, they explored other creative avenues, releasing two family-oriented records. Something different, making a move much like The Beatles did with the 1968 classic Yellow Submarine, one can only assume the inspiration derived from Brian Vander Ark becoming a parent himself.
Jumping to 2014, The Verve Pipe returned to an Alternative Rock form with Overboard, before releasing Parachute in 2017, and 2021’s Threads. Looking at Threads, it was extremely well-crafted and showed the band’s continued dedication to songwriting, but now they return in 2025 with a new direction and album called Reconciled. Released on July 25, 2025, through the band’s own independent label, it mixes up the approach over the last decade with key changes, including Brian’s brother Brad Vander Ark returning on bass (for the first time since the 2001 hiatus). Furthermore, the entire band (Brian Vander Ark on lead vocals/guitar, Brad Vander Ark on bass, Channing Lee on keyboards, and Lou Musa on guitar, along with session drummer Daine Hammerle) came together in one place to write and record the songs rather than working separately. A practice that would lead to a broader exchange of ideas, because we all communicate better when we are face-to-face, Reconciled undoubtedly has a noticeable energy.
Consisting of ten tracks in total, the album has an exceptional flow where you get hit with a burst of upbeat Pop Rock on “Augustine,” before settling in with the more retro-sounding Alternative Rock of “Dust,” “Hollow Bones,” “East to Say Goodbye,” and “Canyon of Canopies.” These are joined by the dynamic “Roulette” and the very compelling “Words of Ruin” at the tail end of the album, both of which employ Channing Lee as co-lead vocalist and on backing harmonies.
Overall, Reconciled is a sensational return to the melodic guitar-driven sound that defined The Verve Pipe between 1996’s Villains and 1999’s self-titled. Feeling fresh and authentic, it is an album that should delight classic Alternative Rock fans, and also satisfy long-time Verve Pipe fans who have stood with the band through their long, fascinating journey. A pleasant surprise in 2025, Cryptic Rock gives The Verve Pipe’s Reconciled 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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