The Verve - Forth
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Free Music Notes for Forth
Free Music Review: A sonic epic!!
Hit: 4 Stars
UK Alternative rock group The Verve scored big in 1997 with their CD "Urban hymns" which had massive hits like "Bittersweet symphony", "The drugs don't work", and other classics like "The rolling people", "This time", and my favourite, the staggeringly brilliant "Weeping willow".
They finally follow up that classic some 11 short years later (and after much squabbling) with this, "Forth" (which is also their fourth CD) and while it's not quite as brilliant as its predecessor (it's not as swirly and atmospheric, and at times they remind me of a pumped up version of UK band Keane), it's still pretty good.
Still retaining their warbling reverbing effects and bubbling guitar sounds, the album comprises 10 sonic epics (most clocking in way past the 6 minute mark) which with the exception of the Dance/Rock of the U2 channelling "Love is noise", sounds like they were totally uninfluenced by contemporary sounds. This album could have been released in 1999.
Opening cut is the sweeping majestic "Sit & wonder" with tinges of psychedelia. Other standouts are the slowed down "Rather be" (in a similar vein to "Lucky man"), the gentle Pop "Judas" (with chiming guitars), the aptly titled 8 minute "Noise epic" (an upbeat semi spoken song with fuzzy guitars), the echoing ballad "Valium skies", and the echo laden stark but upbeat "Columbo".
Highlight of the disc (well to me anyway) is the eerie and haunting ballad "Appalachian springs", a masterpiece of near "Weeping willow" proportions with a lovely chiming guitar coda.
A welcome return to form.
Free Music Review: Satisfying return album falters in second half
Hit: 4 Stars
Has it really been 11 years since The Verve's masterpiece "Urban Hymns"? Wow... how time flies. Lead singer Richard Ashcroft's solo career since 1997 has been less than remarkable, and he must have finally realized that, and so finally the Verve come back with this, their 4th studio album.
"Forth" (10 tracks; 64 min.) starts off tremendously with "Sit and Wonder", with energy blazing all over. It is followed by "Love Is Noise" (1st UK single), which struck me as sounding eerily similar to the Simple Minds' sound of the mid -80s "Once Upon a Time" album sound, but that is not a slight. "Rather Me" sounds like the ballad that "Bitter Sweet Symphony" was, albeit not as good. After that excellent first third, the album starts to falter, with songs like "Judas" and "Numbness" that simply doesn't leave a lasting impression. The album is not well served by its 64+ min. length. It's simply too long, and nothing would've been lost by simply chopping off the last 2 songs, trimming it to a more manageable 50+ min. length.
It strikes me how this album sounds very similar to "Urban Myths" in its overall musical tone. This could have (and probably should have) been recorded in 1998 or 1999. That said, I have come to like the album quite a bit, and have been playing it a lot. I was supposed to see the Verve at Coachella earlier this year, but ended up not making that first day of the festival (when they played). I'm looking forward to an opportunity to see how the songs of "Forth" translate in a live setting at some point, assuming the band keeps playing together, a guess in anyone's book.
Free Music Review: Expectations low- A great Ashcroft solo record?
Hit: 4 Stars
Simply put its no Urban Hymns but what is? Forth however has its many moments -some disappointments but it surpassed my initial low expectations of a band trying to recapture its former glory. The album starts off strong with Sit and wonder and Love is noise( which to my ear sounds like a Neil Diamond song on steroids) but i must also add the backing vocal sample wears off its welcome very quickly as its used almost nonstop through the song. The next two tracks are good not great but better than say Coldplay or any recent U2 track. Ashcrofts voice sounds strong and the songs seem to have a heavy reliance on bass and drums with the great guitar work somewhat mixed low. By track five im really suprised that there is no real acoustic guitar driven ballad ala The drugs dont work, Sonnet, or some of Richie's solo work. The remainder of the album sees longer songs less hooks and darker moods which harken back to the storm in heaven era. Then it happens the final track Appalachian Springs brings out the acoustic up front and Ashcroft shows his solo side. Backed by his old band the song just has a certain "verve that most of his solo stuff has been missing. By albums end i find myself htting the repeat button. For a reunion type album forth succeeds and actually adds a number of great songs to the verves storied history.Free Music Review: Somewhere between A Northern Soul and Urban Hymns
Hit: 4 Stars
For anybody who already likes or loves the Verve, there's no need to read reviews... Just buy Forth and you will most likely either like or love this album after just a few listens. For listeners new to the Verve, you will find some good and even great songs on this album, but a better place to start any experience with The Verve would probably be one of their earlier releases (Urban Hymns is a great start, as is This is Music: The Singles 92-98). Many of the songs on Forth evoke similar moods and themes from the band's earlier albums, so there's a familiar quality here. Valium Skies has a longing element similar to History or Lucky Man. Sit and Wonder and Noise Epic almost recall the swirling psychedelic and heavier sounds from A Storm in Heaven. Rather Be and Love is Noise would have been right at home on Urban Hymns. Still, there's something new here for longtime fans of The Verve (Numbness being my personal favorite). There are some real Richard Ashcroft gems here as well. This is one of those albums that might just keep growing on you... After just the 5th listen, I know it's going to be in my rotation for a long time to come. Let's just hope The Verve decides to keep the music coming!Free Music Review: Doesnt beat Urban Hymns but good nonetheless
Hit: 4 Stars
Most "reunion" CD's are disappointing and many are downright terrible. Verve breaks the trend by offering 10 tracks that range from good to great. Most tracks are closer to "good," but there's no denying that this CD stands fine along side with Verve's 3 CD's from the 90's. If anything the tracks we get this time are more akin to their first "shoegazer" CD "Storm in Heaven," than the 2 later "rock" albums. Most of the tracks are quiet and long length and often have a nice (to me at least) bassy drone sound. Melodies are less constantly present but they are there. The studio production quality is uniformly excellent.
If you're not a fan of Verve, this is not the first CD to buy. Get Urban Hymns first if you're curious about the band. Also if you can find their recent Glastonbury 2008 concert on video, it is worth it. They peform the "hits" plus "Love is Noise" and they play in truly excellent form.