Forth is the fourth and most recent studio album by the English alternative rock band The Verve before their third break up in 2009. It was released internationally on 25 August 2008 on EMI, and a day later in North America on the On Your Own label. The band reformed in 2007, having broken up in 1999. Forth is their first album of new material since their 1997 album Urban Hymns, and their first album since their 1995 album A Northern Soul to feature the original line-up, without their second guitarist and keyboardist Simon Tong. The album's first single, "Love Is Noise", received its first airplay on BBC Radio 1 on 23 June 2008. The song reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart and became a summer hit in Europe. The band also released a non-album track, "Mover", as a free digital download a week later.
Background
The band recorded new songs in Richmond between 2007 and 2008. Most of the backing tracks were done before touring the UK in November and December. Then, recording continued between February and the start of their summer dates in April and some final work was done after the mini US-tour done between April and May before their summer festival appearances in Europe and Japan. Jonathan Cohen of Billboard states that Forth is " bracing blend of the experimentalism of the group's early work and the more structured songwriting of its last two efforts." "Sit and Wonder" and "Love Is Noise" have been played live during the band's festival appearances, including the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2008; "Rather Be" also received select live airings throughout the summer, notably as part of the band's headlining set at the V Festival in August 2008. "I See Houses" was played live once, at the Eden Project in Cornwall in August 2008.
Release and reception
Like The Verve's previous studio album Urban Hymns, Forth peaked on the UK Albums Chart at number one, and at number 23 on the US Billboard 200. Forth was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry. The album sold about 21,000 copies in its first week of release in the US, and as of 2009 has sold about 53,000 copies in the US. Forth was named No. 47 in Q's "50 Best Albums of the Year" for 2008.
Track listing
All songs written by The Verve, except where noted. Notes
Due to the addition of two tracks before "Appalachian Springs" on the LP and Japanese versions, the song "Appalachian Springs" becomes track 12.
