The legendary band that nearly conquered the world, but for their well-documented love of drugs and distaste for each other, reform and return with a new album. And what do you know– everyone’s expecting Urban Hymns II. Forth could never be that– for one they aren’t off their trollies on drugs and second, they aren’t back for that reason. What Forth is, is a typically emotive, mature and powerful effort.

 Opening track ’Sit and Wonder’ is full of rhythm, soul and tremendous guitar– a terrific return to                                                      form. ’Love is Noise’ is even more audibly pleasing than that– a catchy beat, infectious hooks and of course Ashcroft’s beautiful voice flowing through it. Not exactly the sort of songs die-hard Verve fans (as in when they didn’t have the ’The’) were expecting but you must realize The Verve have taken a new funkier and new-wave direction since those drug-ridden avant-garde days.

 ’Rather Be’ however would have made it onto their previous- typically melody-rich and progressive with a vibrant musical background of McCabe and co, more than a hint of the likes of ‘Velvet Morning’ and ‘Space and Time’- song-writing at it’s purest and exactly why The Verve still have a lot to offer the industry.

 Even sombre tracks like ‘Judas’ make listenable additions with stand-out built-up vocals and melodies. ‘Numbness’ also lowers the bar but acts as a transition to the tranquil ‘I See Houses’ and the old-school Verve makes a social appearance in ‘Noise Epic’ which could easily have made it on ‘A Storm in Heaven’. Valium Skies’ is about as much of a comedown track as you will hear and was no doubt written for that mindset with the iconic line “She got all I need”. It’s a strong showing from the alternative-rock pioneers and well worth their reformation. 8/10 CM