AMG Review of Forth

Anthony Tognazzini
All Music Guide

The Verve’s first album since 1997’s Urban Hymns, Forth proves that the band's command of dark, surging, and hypnotic rock is back in full force. The opener “Sit and Wonder” thumps along with insistence, offering energetic counterpoint to the album’s more dreamy, downtempo moments. “Love Is Noise,” the album’s lead-off single, is classic Verve, balancing vocalist Richard Ashcroft's shamanistic croon with Nick McCabe’s swirling universe of guitar. The rest of the album follows suit, and with its sonic adventurousness, lush atmospheres, and distinctive sound, it's a welcome addition to their catalog.