The Verve - Forth Album Review

The Verve are back! Forth is the fourth album by English alternative rock band The Verve and their first full set of original material since the career defining, 1997 commercial breakthrough, ‘Urban Hymns‘, which to date has sold 3 million copies in the UK.

The Verve is one of the biggest selling and more influential bands of the last ten years, they have reformed and recorded ‘Forth’ album, a strong and varied release, combining guitarist Nick McCabe’s sonic experiments with frontman Richard Ashcroft’s Britpop-esque balladry.

The album peaked at number one on UK Albums Chart(week 36).

The Verve - Forth Track Listing

All songs written by The Verve, except where noted.

1. “Sit and Wonder” - 6:52
2. “Love Is Noise” (Richard Ashcroft, The Verve) - 5:29
3. “Rather Be” (Ashcroft) - 5:38
4. “Judas” - 6:19
5. “Numbness” - 6:35
6. “I See Houses” (Ashcroft) - 5:37
7. “Noise Epic” - 8:14
8. “Valium Skies” (Ashcroft) - 4:34
9. “Columbo” - 7:30
* “Ma Ma Soul” - 5:45 (LP version and U.S. iTunes Store exclusive bonus recording)[6]
* “Muhammad Ali” - 6:26 (LP version and U.S. iTunes Store pre-order exclusive bonus recording)[6]
10. “Appalachian Springs” (Ashcroft) - 7:34

Bonus track

* “Let the Damage Begin” - 4:09 (Amazon.com exclusive bonus track - live version from 2007 originally released as a B-side to “Love Is Noise”)

“Sit and Wonder” and “Love Is Noise” have been played live during the band’s festival appearances, including the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2008; “Rather Be” also received select live airings throughout the summer, notably as part of the band’s headlining set at the V Festival in August, 2008.

This is an extraordinarily good album. The songs have a dynamic ebb and flow highlighted by interesting textures, excellent playing, with lyrical and melodic complexity that exceed expectations.

One may still have a particular favorite among the Verve’s original 3 releases, but I think Forth will be viewed over time as one of the best reunion albums ever made.

source amazon.com

Album Information

The band recorded new songs in Richmond between mid 2007 and early 2008. Most of the backing tracks were done before touring the UK in November and December.

Released August 25, 2008
Recorded 2007 - 2008, at State of the Ark in Richmond, London
Genre Alternative rock, Space rock, Psychedelic rock
Length 64:22, 76:33 (LP version)
Label Parlophone (UK), On Your Own Records (U.S.), EMI (Worldwide)