Album
The Verve
Forth
[Parlophone]
Artist: The Verve
Released: 25 August 2008
Catalogue number: 2355842
Review
by Chris Jones
08 August 2008
Considering that in a career nearly spanning 20 years that this really is the Verve's fourth album it's not really surprising that there's an aura of anticipation in some quarters. While the band's most obvious fellow-travellers, Primal Scream, have at least managed their personal lives well enough to stick together, the rock 'n' roll soap opera of drugs, exhaustion and Richard Ashcroft and guitarist Nick McCabe's feuding lends a suitably lurid subtext to the music. But it doesn't show on the surface. The band sound unbelievably healthy here.
Anyone expecting a new direction will be disappointed. While Ashcroft's solo years have tightened a few of these ten songs, by returning to the more spacey territory of their classic years the band have delivered an album that will go down smoothly with fans. We get the epic, anthemic moments such as opener, Sit And Wonder, and first single Love Is Noise, alongside the cavernous, reverb-drenched, trippy numbers like Judas ("you know the trip has just begun"). Only Valium Skies may perhaps lurk a little too close to the strings-and-repetition formula of Bittersweet Symphony. .
Ashcroft's faux-american accent still pays homage to Mick Jagger, especially on the Beggars Banquet-era lurch of Rather Be, yet, overall, Forth is really owned by McCabe. His multi-layered, jitttery psychedelia always provides enough distraction to keep the material sounding fresher than it might have. There's a sense of the band taking the leash off and letting it hang, like a post-rave Floyd. Numbness combines David Gilmour's early 70s licks with Ashcroft whispering and intoning like the ghost of Malcolm Mooney. All very cosmic. The only place where this goes a tad too far is on the meandering Columbo - a thudding stadium thumper bolted onto a three-minute jam. Yet even here the production almost rescues it, the looped strings being mind-meltingly intriguing as they blend with more skyscraping six-string work. There really are some genuinely haunting moments here, not least the basic piano vamp of I See Houses.
As to whether you find this kind of exploration worthy of your attention in this post-Roses era is down to whether you missed them in the first place. Forth won't convert anyone who never bought into the band's second-hand stonerisms and Northern braggadocio. However it does mark a very considerable return to active service. Already given a heroes welcome at every festival appearance so far, it seems that for the faithful amongst us, The Verve are well and truly back.
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Joseph, Utah, USA
Picked up Forth yesterday, listened to it last night and this afternoon. Like others have said, it improves with each listening. Up The Verve!
Gavin, Manchester
Listened to Appalachian Springs whilst driving over the Lancashire moor this morning - got to go down one of the top ten Verve tunes. This album is a true verve album for the real (not plastic) fans - for all those fans you need to buy this and Storm in Heaven.
Minty, Norwich
I think this is an excellent album. It gets better and better the more you listen to it. You nailed this one boys. Long live The Verve!!
kelly, banff
I got hooked on this album after the second listen. Definitely better than urban hymns, as good as a northern soul.....but does not approach the sheer majesty of a storm in heaven!! Well worth the wait though....standout track for me is columbo....brings me back to storm in heaven material
foxtrot quebec quebec
alpha bravo charlie delta echo foxtrot golf hotel india juliet kilo lima mike november oscar papa quebec romeo siera tango uniform victor whiskey x-ray yankee zulu also the bands allright
Rich CARDIFF
This album even though maybe not as good as Urban Hymns,gets better with every listen. With a new Oasis album due for release next month all we need is Ian Brown & John Squire to bury the hatchet, find Reni's whereabouts and reform the mighty Stone Roses (along with Mani of course). That would top an excellent year for British music which we aint seen since the mid to late 90s when, Oasis, Blur, Weller, OCS, Charlatans etc were in the charts, great days!
Gina,UK
Like Josh, Oregan - I too have had a nice long soak and I'm finding it incredibly difficult to tear myself away from this album. I've played it in the car constantly since its purchase some days ago. It's now made its way into my sitting room and has seeped into my very soul. This album should not be compared to Urban Hymns, but rather listened to for what it is - an amazing album by a group of 'kick ass' and very talented musicians. Each track is superb in its own way and the Album overall - pure genius. Give it the long good listen it deserves, you won't be disappointed.
osama afghanistan
I love bittersweet symphony it really relaxes me while im bombing
Josh England
Hmmm wat Cn I say great songs great band and i love the smell of cheese and ure mom in the morning hahahahahaha hmm its everywhere ewwwwwwwwwwwwww i wiped it on my sleeve
sam lincoln
I love this band their new song 'love is noise' is great and their classic bittersweet symphony
James, Sheffield
It's a fairly good album, but i don't appreciate people saying if you don't like this you're not a Verve fan. Let's all stop living in the past it's just not the same as when they were around originally, and i get the impression that it's not just me that thinks that, the band also do. It's still a fairly good album but the carrying on the "ladish" attitude for the sake of it just doesn't work as well when you're approaching your 40's.
Josh, Oregon
I've been soaking in this cd for a few days now. I've always been a willing child, eager to float in the rare stuff that bands like the Verve give us. I choose the words 'child' and 'float' very intentionally to make a point in contrast: I'm no longer a child; I'm in my early forties; the landscape of my daily life offers no 'floating'. I'm just another humble subject of the tyranny of the literal. Beyond these trivial, intellectual oppressions of modern life, I've also been through some real pain via divorce (children involved) and death in the loss of loved ones. With the same driving appetite to float, childlike, in some kind of soul-soothing escape pod, I find myself wanting to soak in a Verve bath until someone yanks the plug. These songs are real medicine – ok, drugs – to this soul.
RICH, CARDIFF
Top album lads, please don't split, AGAIN, hopefully you'll tour Britain and come to Cardiff. Good to see a proper British indie band back in action unlike Kaisers, Franz etc that have been poisining our ears.
Boston USA
I agree with the comment about if you do not like this CD then your not a true Verve fan. I love it and I hope there will be more. A band like this should NEVER go away. I have loved their sound from day one and never got bored even now with this great new CD... thanks guys for being YOU!!
Bogdan, Romania
First time i listened to it i only liked half the songs ... the second time i enjoyed all of them ... the third time realized how amazing it is ... Appalachian springs, Sit and wonder, I see houses, Judas, Love is noise, Rather be ... great great tracks ... if Urban Hymns is a 10, Forth should be a 9.5
Ross, Bristol
It is not as good as Urban Hymns, nowhere near, ITS JUST NOT! And Love Is Noise sounds much better live, they should have recorded that rather than a studio version of the track.
Carlos, Brasil
Muito bom o album. Musica pra escutar tomando vinho
rob fryer. detriot, michigan u.s.a.
the verve' forth' is worth the 11 year wait.this band is zepplin to alternative music. oasis dont have ashcrofts gifts.if you dont like this new cd forth, you are not a verve fan period. i seen the verve in toronto may 1 2008, they played 2 new songs i sit and wonder ,and love is noise, i was blown away ill never forget that concert. judas,love is noise,i sit and wonder,rather be,valium skies,columbo,are my favs. the verve are the best rock alternative band ive ever seen.the verve are back ,and if you dont like it thats to bad.
Pablo, Chile
Great Album with very good tracks like Judas and Valium Skies the best of the record..
Chris leicester
i go wwwaaay back to the 1st ep seen em plenty this is my band basically. This speaks to me in a way few do. EPIC let loose these are musicians this is music rare as hell these days
Chalky White
Primal Scream, that`s not texture or haunting that`s dexy`s...lol.
Land, South Carolina
Still one of the best bands out there. It took me a few listens to make up my mind, but it's a brilliant record. Better than Urban Hymns. They could have left off Noise Epic and Love is Noise (maybe they should just avoid titles with noise in the future), but the rest is psychadelic heaven.
Dan, California City
This is the perfect chill-out album. Kickin' back drinking a couple beers or barbecueing (while drinking a couple beers!). Very fine album!
Vito Donatiello Vancouver Canada,,
Great return .. Judas is a great song.Great sound,, well put together,It's going to be a classic! I am a big fan in Vancouver Canada, Hope to see them here in 2010,,,
Chris , derbyshire
if the single 'love is noise' is anythig to go by, this record should be fantastic, i only fear it wont compare next to the dazzling perfection that is 'Urban Hymns'... this'll run against coldplay for british album of the year
Drazen, Croatia
It was just as I thought... After a smashing single that swept me off my feet, the rest of the album simply doesn't match the power of "Love is noise". Too bad. I really liked the faint synths in "Love is noise" and was actually hoping for a change in that direction. For the hardcore fans, this album will probably be a welcomed addition, but I would hardly recommend this to people who hanged out with Verve only occasionally.
andy. south shields
never heard first album.thought northern soul had its moments but not as great as people say. (and i have give it plenty listens)loved 60-70% of urban hymnsthink the new album.... RULES!!!!
Simon Leeds
fantastic album. An album which tringers the emotions and creates feelings within the lister. To say its sounds like ashcroft solo material is just lazy journalism - of course its gonna sound like that - he's the lead singer!! the songs are haunting yet inspiring and some tracks create such a groove. After you have given it your best ashcroft impersonation after the first 2 tracks (belters!) sit back and enjoy the musicianship.
Mohnish, California
Superb album with the stand outs being the first and last tracks. A very underrated band.
ryan.. N.ireland
Ashcrofts ego seriously outways his talent
Jake .Derby.
Rather disapointed with the whole album . Exspecting better like there more classical songs
Joel, Sydney
Half a decent album and half a studio jam with over-the-top production.Still the greatest live band for the past 20 years but their past two albums swing between stunning and stilted....Compared to A New Decade and This Is Music from A Northern Soul, this is Dadrock and bordering on Keane-like blandness.
Rav, Philippines
They are back! Got the album already! Great rock album. Make way! Missed these guys so much. More albums to come.
Sy, Wigan
Unbelievable. This album captures the imagination like nothing i've ever heard. Anthemic yet intimate, I am completely in love with it.
Ryan, Toronto
Very solid album echoing the best of their elements from each of their earlier releases, while still maintaining a delivery not found in Ashcroft's solo efforts. Fun to draw with this album on.
Rob-Wirral
Like many verve fans i know there has been alot of aticipation about this album and know there has been some comments on the album of dissapointment,but what you have to remember is like any band who produce an outstanding albums such as northern soul and urban hymms everyone wants to hear the same thrilling music all have to say is if you are a fan you will warm to it over time and agree is another master piece,ashcrofts voice and mccabe guitars who doesn't get the recognition for being one of best guitarist of the last 20 years untouchable just go out and buy it don't listen to the negitive response
Marto Chipboard
This Is Music.I have been asking The Cosmos for a new Verve album since 1999. Thank you Cosmos. Now can I have a new speedboat?
Matthew, Stoke-on-Trent
I, and a lot of other people have been waiting for this album for a decade... and I can honestly say it's exceeded all my expectations.One listen of Sit And Wonder and I just knew today was a special day. The rest of the album was going to make me feel like I did when I first heard A Northern Soul and Urban Hymns - incredible.The Verve are pioneers, a band that, in my opininon, should be held in as high a regard as anyone.
zomb
this album will go down well with fans, as it lurks back to their early years. The single "love is noise" should be skipped, I can only hope that direction is quickly closed off and we continue with this 90's throwback psychadelic rock that burned out much before its time. Oh, and thank god we've got long tracks back from musicians that can actually play more than 3 second loops into samplers.overall, an excellent return which will probably appeal more to 30-40 yr olds than teens. this is music
Chris, Norwich
JUST PUT THE ALBUM ON, AN EPIC OPENING TRACK THEN THE CLASS SONG OF LOVE IS NOISE!AWSOME!!
Michael, Netherlands
Lynn in London - 'their best in years'?Considering its their first album in 11 years, thats not really saying much.
Dave, Glasgow
the two bonus tracks Mama Soul and Muhammad Ali are the best new tracks since they reformed and they're not even on the album
LEE LEEDS
Not all that bad seen as though they have been away so long rather be love is noise and sit and wonder are the stand out tracks on the album just great to see them back hopefully for a while
abi, thailand
anthemic, great melodies, haunting vibe, groovy instrumentation, spectacular delivery... top top record
Sam, Glossop
Simply Brilliant!
Sebastián, Argentina
They are back. Amazing record...Mccabe's guitar arregements are the best.
Alberta Rose
I wasn't a fan of it right off the bat...so I got baked. That is the key to enjoying this album. I got lost in it pretty quick, all in all good release!
Andy - Kent
A Couple of good tracks - the rest it surprisingly awful, Im gutted.
Lynn, London
ITS AMAZING! Their best in years!
Paul doncaster
Have got the album. Is amazing. Rather be judas valium skies beautiful songs the only bad song on the album is noise epic. The verve or back
SAID casablanca
i got it, its a great rock music, every who like rock have to listen to this album.it's not disposable in y country yet but i buy it from internet :-) & im not sorry to spend my money for this album :-)
Helen, Berkshire
I just love this band, they make me cry with joy
Dhruv, India
Brilliant! Can't wait to get the album. I hope they don't split up again.. they're one of the few bands that still have something to say. Still praying their tour brings brings them to India.