Like Oasis, Blur and other Britpop acts that took My Bloody Valentine's comet tail and ran with it, The Verve ruled nicely in the 90s and fell into disrepute afterward. And like MBV, The Verve has reunited. But they've gone one better by embracing the new digital century with a free song from their forthcoming full-length Forth, due in mid-August.

(Are you listening Kevin Shields?)

The Verve's song "Mover" was made available for download Tuesday from their official site, which means that you're going to have to share some personal info and join the band's mailing list if you want to get it. Yes, The Verve still has a lot to learn about free downloads.

But the recombined foursome is well-read on copyright law. After a protracted lawsuit over a sample of The Rolling Stones' "Last Time" cost The Verve much in the way of cash, headaches and ownership, the band could probably recite arcane legalese on the fly.

Photo: The Verve

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