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Forth Image
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 54 Ratings

  • Summary: The English rock band reunites after its 1999 split to release its fourth album.

Top Track

Love Is Noise
Will those feet in modern times Walk on soles that are made in China? Through the bright prosaic malls And the corridors that go on and on and... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 28
  2. Negative: 1 out of 28
  1. The album will satisfy those wondering whether the band can achieve the nosebleed heights of its formidable back catalog, and it’s once again evident that Ashcroft needs guitarist Nick McCabe, bassist Simon Jones and drummer Peter Salisbury to keep his shamanistic flights of fancy tethered to earth.
  2. 80
    Are the Verve back? Maybe. Definitely.
  3. 80
    Forth certainly makes it seem like they’ve never been away, the stench of those woeful Ashcroft solo albums extinguished.
  4. Forth is a decent reminder of what makes the Verve great.
  5. Their second reunion carries the listener a good third of the way into this punningly titled fourth album. Trouble is, the second two-thirds are a very long slog indeed.
  6. Admittedly, the band's past catalogue sets the bar high, but Forth is an achievement, especially when considered in the context of so many failed attempts by others to return after a period of inactivity.
  7. Instead of moving forward with a bold new sound, they seem lost and confused, eventually reverting to the sprawling space rock jams of their early years, which may be their comfort zone.

See all 28 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 19
  2. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. JSchandel
    Aug 27, 2008
    10
    A storm in the sonic soup!
  2. JoeM
    Sep 5, 2008
    10
    Oh my God, it's been so long since they've made an album and this... this is so beautiful and perfect.
  3. Apr 8, 2014
    10
    the great album of the verve, the second best album since Urban Hymns, is an perfect album full of great lyrics & great music, is a beautifulthe great album of the verve, the second best album since Urban Hymns, is an perfect album full of great lyrics & great music, is a beautiful since the begin till the end Expand
  4. MofoMan
    Nov 21, 2008
    9
    Awesome album! Typical Verve album, but its great to have them back after so long.
  5. Jan 23, 2017
    8
    Of The Verve's first three albums, I'm firmly in the "Urban Hymns" camp, favoring the bands anthemic rock masterpiece over their interestingOf The Verve's first three albums, I'm firmly in the "Urban Hymns" camp, favoring the bands anthemic rock masterpiece over their interesting but less engaging psychedelia tinged albums "A Storm In Heaven" and "A Northern Soul". 11 years on from the triumphant breakthrough of "Urban Hymns", comes "Forth", an album that stands closer to the bands earlier work than their more commercially successful. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. The long gap since "Urban Hymns" took much of the pressure off the follow up . "Forth" is a rocker with emphasis on intricate guitar work rather than the pop aspect of the music. It's long with most of the songs well over the 5 minute mark but for me, the material rarely outstays its welcome. "Love is Noise" and "Judas" are particular standouts. One of the main things that struck from listening to this is just how much meat the rest of the Verve put on Richard Ashcroft's sound. Even his finest solo moments really pale next to The Verve doing their thing. Expand
  6. YokozunaA
    Aug 27, 2008
    8
    Numbness - Sounds Pink Floydish on Mc Cabe's Guitar playing. Valium Skies - Harkens classic Verve, swirling guitars and shoegaze anthems Numbness - Sounds Pink Floydish on Mc Cabe's Guitar playing. Valium Skies - Harkens classic Verve, swirling guitars and shoegaze anthems - my favorite track so far... Noise Epic - Channels Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream. Expand
  7. Jamiechud
    Feb 14, 2009
    1
    Awful awful album. There's not one song on there that is remotely redeeming. The first single love is noise and it's absolute Awful awful album. There's not one song on there that is remotely redeeming. The first single love is noise and it's absolute disgracefull woo woo woooo chorus makes me weep for all the previous albums nostalgic feelings. Y'know the ones where you say I want to listen to anything they did prior to this. Yeah. Rich. You killed em. At least the frat boys can go woo woo woo woo now. Expand

See all 19 User Reviews