Pop Smear

Pop Smear is the first studio album by the Verve Pipe, released in 1993.^[3][4] The album sold around 50,000 copies, which resulted in interest from major labels.^[5] The band signed with RCA Records, and the album was rereleased in 1996.

Pop Smear
Studio album by the Verve Pipe
Released	1993
Genre	Alternative rock
Length	52:03
Label	LMNO Pop![1] RCA[2]
The Verve Pipe chronology
I've Suffered a Head Injury (1992) Pop Smear (1993) Villains (1996)

Production

The Verve Pipe funded the album's recording sessions out of its winnings from the Yamaha Soundcheck's unsigned band competition.^[6]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[7]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[1]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide	[2]

Trouser Press wrote that "the songs are sturdier and harder-hitting, the new muscle coming from plain old artistic growth plus the addition of guitarist A.J. Dunning."^[8]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Brian Vander Ark, except where noted.

Tracks

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Pretty for You"	4:29
2.	"Spoonful of Sugar"	3:55
3.	"Victoria"	4:29
4.	"Honest" (Brian Vander Ark, Donny Brown)	3:18
5.	"The River" (Donny Brown)	6:19
6.	"Sleepy Town" (Donny Brown)	0:54
7.	"Bullies on Vacation"	4:25
8.	"What You Wanted"	5:22
9.	"Wanna Be" (Brian Vander Ark, Donny Brown)	3:59
10.	"Out Like a Lamb"	4:27
11.	"Senator Speak" (Brad Vander Ark, Brian Vander Ark)	4:23
12.	"Is It Worth It?" (Donny Brown)	6:03
Total length:		52:03

Personnel

The Verve Pipe

• Brian Vander Ark — vocals, electric and acoustic guitars
• A.J. Dunning — vocals, electric, acoustic, slide and lead guitars, keyboards, mandolin
• Brad Vander Ark — vocals, bass, percussion
• Don Brown — vocals, drums, percussion

Additional personnel

• Kathryn Dykema — cello
• Doug Corella — percussion
• Mark Byerly — trumpet
• Albin Rose — viola
• Leslie E. Rose — violin
• Bob Engelsman — trombone
• Randy Sly — keyboards
• Tom "Mallets" Jansen — bells