Music: The Verve - 'Forth'

The Verve's new album is called Forth and it doesn't take a genius to work out that this is in fact their fourth album after more than a ten year break. Strangely Portishead also made a comeback album this year called Third...named after - you guessed it their third album. What's going on here?

Should we be reliving nineties bands or letting them go? The fond memories of bands that seemingly revolutionised music are now nostalgic moments that we can't forget, as we are constantly wondering is it as good as the new material - or in fact was it ever that good?

Well, personally I rated The Verve, I loved that the Oasis track Cast No Shadow was written about Richard Ashcroft, and felt that Urban Hymns was an album that at the tail end of Britpop we were all waiting for.

However listening to Forth now, it doesn't feel the same; the musicianship is still there and so is the passion but the point is slightly lacking... Okay to be fair Love Is Noise as a single grew on me and has a fair bit of depth but we aren't reaching the epic levels of Northern Soul. The track Valium Skies again takes you close but no cigar.

If you are a Verve fan and you like good music, this is not as disappointing as it may sound and The Verve do still have it - they pull you into their own world with lush melodies and a touch of psychedelic, but as much as it pains me to say, it just ain't what it used to be.

Check out the band here: www.myspace.com/theverve

Download your copy of Forth from 7digital for £5 here or buy it on CD from Amazon for under £9 here.

If you like The Verve we recommend: Spiritualized, Oasis, Elbow