The last time most people in North America saw The Verve, Richard Ashcroft was walking down the street to beautiful strings and shoving people out of the way in the video for “Bittersweet Symphony.” The song, from the band’s most successful album Urban Hymns, was 11 years ago, though, and it wouldn’t be unlikely to suggest that many have forgotten all about the British rock quartet.
The tour for Urban Hymns was a chaotic one, to say the least. Bassist Simon Jones collapsed on stage and a slew of other problems peppered the tour. In April of 1999, after much conjecture, The Verve announced it had split up (again).
Frontman Ashcroft headed into solo project territory and released his debut, Alone With Everybody, in June 2000. Human Conditions (October 2002) and Keys to the World (January 2006) followed and kept Ashcroft in the public eye. Other band members continued on in a variety of side projects and fill-in jobs.
Then, like a bolt from the blue, the band announced a reunion with the original line-up of Ashcroft, guitarist Nick McCabe, bassist Simon Jones, and drummer Peter Salisbury. The plan was to tour in November of 2007 and release an album in 2008. The tour was extremely successful and the band started to release some new songs at various gigs, hinting audiences towards the feel of the new album.
June 23, 2008 saw the official radio premiere of the band’s new single, “Love Is Noise.” The Verve followed up the premiere by closing a knockout set at Glastonbury ‘08 with the track. After a variety of special sessions and gigs with new songs, the band announced the album’s title, Forth, and revealed an August 25, 2008 release date in the UK and an American release for the following day.
And so, with The Verve back to full-time rock-and-roll duty, Forth is upon us.
A sweet and expressive record, Forth is a blend of experimentalism and organization. There are tones of Urban Hymns and the band’s earlier work, with disco beats and light strumming coming together under one beautiful roof. Lots of guaranteed concert tracks highlight the record, with enough anthemic moments to set thousands of hands clapping.
Article comments
1 - Jen
Very well-written, Jordan! I was really curious about this CD and you're so right-- "Bittersweet Symphony" is that one image of the band that will stay with them forever. Yet, I must admit, I still find myself cranking the song up whenever it's on the radio!