The Beat Surrender

For the first time in ages a few weeks ago I was 100% up to date with the website and finally got chance to listen to some of my own music for a few hours, rather than as is normally the case, me ploughing through the various things I need to review. Now i’m not going to grumble about reviewing the music I do, but it’s so nice to be able to reach up to my racks of CDs and vinyl and pick something out I love.

The first album I played that day wasn’t something by my favourite band Blur, it was actually The Verve’s debut album A Storm In Heaven, one that i’ve always loved but which has probably played second fiddle to A Northern Soul in my affections. The fact that I chose that album though shows how much i’ve always liked The Verve, despite disappointments over the years I still do, yes even when they didn’t turn up to support Oasis and even though Richard Ashcrofts solo albums are a bit naff.

That latter comment probably is the biggest reason why they are back together now after about ten years or so apart, i’m pretty sure if Ashcroft had managed the level of success that Ian Brown has away from his group, then i’m pretty sure we wouldn’t be sat here talking about a Verve comeback.

They are back though and they also have a new album Forth. I’m presuming from the title it’s intended to be a play on words as it is their fourth album, but also indicates that they feel they have moved on from their huge selling Urban Hymns album as well. They have in a way, but I wouldn’t really say they’ve gone forth, instead it feels like they’ve gone on a journey back through all three of their previous albums.

Sit And Wonder, the album opener, gives the first indication of that, it’s got a psychedelic edge to it that takes you back to A Storm In Heaven without ever fully reaching it, it is though a promising opening. The current single Love Is Noise follows that and it’s a bouyant start to the album. Rather Be builds on that success with a (Northern) soulful feel to it and i’m starting to think that this could be a Lazarus moment we are witnessing with this album.

It’s short lived though, Judas doesn’t cut it, especially with the dull lyrics and Numbness drifts by in plodding fashion as well. I See Houses features the ironic lyric “I get the feeling I’ve been here before”, same here lads it sounds like an old b-side at best. Noise Epic does exactly what it says on the tin though and picks things up, suddenly The Verve are a garage rock band and it’s a bloody great track.

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