There's been a lot of mixed reviews generated by The Verve's new comeback album Forth. Most of the criticism seems to revolve around the style, complaining that the band hasn't progressed since 1997's massive hit Urban Hymns. Well the band hasn't written songs together in 10 fricken' years, how are they supposed to "progress"?Now the quality of the songs can be a legitimate criticism. They tend towards the sprawling side, with 6 of the 10 tracks clocking in at over 6 minutes in length. Those over-extended opuses fit in a strange place in The Verve ouevre: they aren't as accessible as the tracks on Urban Hymns, yet they aren't as spacey as the band's early work. What the lilstener ends up with then is really the best of neither world.
Forth begins with promise with the atmospheric bluesy "Sit and Wonder", however it doesn't last long. Songs like "Rather Be" and "Judas" aren't much more than long, dull background music. And unfortunately, there are a few too many of that type of song on Forth.
There are some sparkling moments. The catchy, up-tempo first single "Love Is Noise" is irresistable with its wonky 'uh-ah, uh-ah' effect. "Noise Epic" is possibly the most raucous song of The Verve's career and it's a real shame there aren't more of that kind of song on here.
Richard Ashcroft and co. do step out into unfamiliar territory on the epic "Columbo". On that track the band layers electronic effects on top of a bassline that sounds almost like mellow Primus. The track has a tension running through it that makes it feel like it could collapse in on itself at any moment, almost like the best Devo songs.
The iTunes version of Forth also comes with a stellar live version of "Lucky Man" recorded at Coachella.
See the "Love Is Noise" video here.
Best tracks: "Love Is Noise", "Columbo"
Track listing for Forth:
- Sit and Wonder
- Love Is Noise
- Rather Be
- Judas
- Numbness
- I See Houses
- Noise Epic
- Valium Skies
- Columbo
- Appalachian Springs
5.5
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