Customer Reviews

Human Conditions

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Richard Ashcroft is the Sting of his generation - a man of immense talent, charisma and ego who, despite all his efforts, is a much more effective bandleader than a solo artist. I was listening to The Police's ZENYATTA MONDATTA the other day for the first time in years, and marveled at how creative and energetic Sting sounded back then with the great Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers backing him up. But it goes without saying that when those two "spark plugs" were gone, Sting became the dull adult contemporary star he is today. His ego would never allow it, but Sting desperately needs The Police back together to regain any creative respectibility.

The same goes with Ashcroft, whose records with The Verve were some of the most beautiful, creative, soul-searching recordings of the 1990s. URBAN HYMNS, to continue the Police analogy, was their SYNCHRONICITY - an album where all the band's strenghts seemed to come together (shoegazing space jams, blistering rock, lush and introspective ballads). Ashcroft was without question the star, but you could feel the tension of the rest of the band pushing him and, it turns out, tearing themselves apart.

Now a solo artist without anyone to tell him "no," Ashcroft has recorded two CDs that are essentially extensions of "The Drugs Don't Work" from HYMNS - heavily orchestrated self-confessionals that grow tiresome quickly. It's fine to record a song or two about crying out to God, how you've got the "blues," how your drug taking days are over, how you found the love of your life (Heaven sent, no less). But every song on HUMAN CONDITIONS follows these themes, with Ashcroft making what he must consider to be a Grand Statement On The Mysteries Of Life, but with lyrics that come out horribly simplistic and cliched. Spiritualized-lite, if you will.

The lyrics get so tiresome on this CD that I found myself paying more attention to the music itself. Ashcroft's first CD, ALONE WITH EVERYBODY, was much maligned in the press and with his fans, but to me - at least sonically - it was an extension of what The Verve had achieved with HYMNS, and was a beautiful sounding CD with quite impressive production (especially through headphones). But Ashcroft must have believed his critics, for HUMAN CONDITIONS is stripped down to a fault, with one restrained, mid-tempo song after another. Most of the songs slide by without any catchy melodies, instantly forgettable.

There are some songs that rise above the others - "Bright Lights" is the closest this CD comes to a Verve-sounding rock song, but is marred by an annoying tabla courtesy of Talvin Singh. "Buy It In Bottles" is a pretty song, but essentially a rehash of "Drugs." "Science of Silence" steals the chorus of "Lean On Me" to catchy effect. And "Nature is the Law" wins the award for ambition alone, as Ashcroft not only imitates Johnny Cash, but brings in Brian Wilson for an overblown, Beach Boys-esque chorus that acutally sounds closer to the choir chants you hear on a Vangelis soundtrack. It has to be heard to be believed.

But those are the exceptions to an otherwise lifeless CD that is a backwards step from his solo debut. Ashcroft desperately needs the energy of Verve to achieve the spiritual heights he's obviously striving for. Let's hope he heeds the warning before he joins Sting and Phil Collins on a supermarket muzak station near you.

I loved The Verve, repeat, I loved The Verve. I, like most, found Richard's first solo disc a bit, well, disappointing. It did have it's moments, I thought "Brave New World", "C'Mon People" and You On My Mind In My Sleep" were all great tunes. But no, it really wasn't Urban Hymns was it. It is just now that I feel that is OK. Let's all face it, Richard is in a much different place now... wife, baby, freedom, those things make a big difference in one's life.

With Human Conditions, he continues on the same sort of road. The songs are very well thought out, very personal and very good. I think this is a stronger post Verve effort than "Alone With Everbody".

He starts the album off again with the first single, "Check The Meaning", it is quite good. The best part of the song is the moment that familar voice kicks right in with a hook that is very catchy. The rest of the record follows suit, again a more serious affair, but that doesn't make it too heavy on the soul. I esp. like the uplifting track, "Science of Silence", it is a nice string heavy tune with a nice message. I also enjoy, "Buy It In Bottles", it is one of the best things his done on his own for sure.

All in all, "Human Conditions" is a great record. Just don't think of it as a return of The Verve, If you still want it to be a Verve record, think of it more like Urban Hymns, without the drugs, and fighting of course.

Richard Ashcroft has proved with his solo work that he is on a serious spritual quest. It's not really sure whether if this is a religious awakening as much as a general search for a deeper meaning in life. This is conveyed by the pain and ache in Ashcroft's voice. This happens when you get to be thirty. The songwriting is stronger if not more convincing of his own preoccupations on this second solo record. Songs like "Check The Meaning" and "Science of Silence" are improvements from "Alone With Everybody" two years ago. He has moved on artistically with the help of the great Brian Wilson (ex-Beach Boys) and Talvin Singh. The albums with The Verve offered a lot of promise, and by 1998, they were England's biggest rock and roll band. Recently, Ashcroft's work with The Chemical Brothers or DJ Shadow haven't colored his own solo work though. It is firmly rooted in folk music and soul music: He is a true songwriter in the modern world. In songs like "Bright Lights" he deals with the allure of urban myths, but turns away, and searches for something greater. This embrace of the receding beauty of life and nature may continue over many albums to come. Let us all hope so.

More of the same from the ex - verve frontman. Another mostly downbeat album that relies on introspective lyrics and lush production. Nice precussion from Talvin Singh also. I highly recommend this cd to fans of Ashcrofts first and previous verve albums.

This is a very good, if not excellent, sophomore effort by Ashcroft. Always poetic, cynical and insightful, Ashcroft embodies the spirit of Johnny Cash, Jim Morrison, and Bob Dylan with mellowness and a brooding sensitivity. His lyrics definitely require that you do some thinking and reflecting. The sweeping orchestral arrangements elevate the otherwise depressed mood of some songs, although there are fewer such arrangements than in his previous album 'Alone with Everybody'. This album is definitely more mature lyrically, but its mood is more mellow and melancholy. It digs deeper into the meaning of life, the nature of God and spirituality, whereas 'Alone with Everybody' was not as focused lyrically. Overall I would recommend this album to anyone familiar the Verve and with Ashcroft's earlier works, and to people in search of meaning in their music.

If you are looking for "pop-fluff" this is not the CD for you. This is definately a deeper, more reflective Richard Ashcroft. I found this CD can be enjoyed on many levels - easy-listening background music to "check the meaning" deepness. Richard Ashcroft is truly talented on many musical levels. I applaud this effort to expand and grow in new and different directions. Bravo RA!!!...

If I were ever asked to list the most underrated albums of all time - Human Conditions would definitely make the top 5.

Where did this one come from? Stuck between the Rock'n'roll champagne of Alone with Everybody and the down-to-earth sounds of Keys to the World, Human Conditions seems the odd one out. At a glance. Looking closer we may discern the slow shimmering of a treasure room full of beautifully crafted gems. Science of Silence is one. Simply stated, it is Ashcroft's most inspired existential anthem. "We are on the rock, spinning silently..."

Introspective and philosophical. Psychedelic and highly melodic at the same time. Thought-provoking and deeply spiritual. This is an album about me, you, and everybody else on the third rock from the Sun - about human conditions. This is Ashcroft's most mature and personal work of art - A Northern Soul of the 2000s. The soaring strings, naughty guitar licks, and swirling ambiences thrive in Chris Potter's densely populated production. The themes are as old as the world: love and life, religion and spirituality, and the never-ending battle with demons inside. I'm agnostic in God but man, she takes a female form, says Ashcroft. Oh yes.

For me this is a summer hymn. This is full of hope and joy, full of questions asked but never answered - and they never should be! Everybody can relate. What are we living for? (Check The Meaning). What are we? (Science of Silence). Is it worth it? (But It in Bottles).

Human Conditions is Ashcroft on his own. No cameras, no publicity, no pressure. He wanted to find the answer. Even if he failed, he gave us Human Conditions instead. This is quite enough for me.

This 2nd album from Richard Ascroft is definitely better and deeper than "Alone With Everybody". Ascroft still shows that he one of the best songwriters of his time. The only thing this lacks is the sound. Maybe Ashcorft doesn't want to sound like his old band, the Verve, but you have to admit, this album would be a classic if done in the classic verve stlye, with Nick McCabe droning guitars, and a bit of echoed-out lyrics. Another thing is that at times, the album tends to get poppy, especially in the last track, Miracle. There are bits of music here and there, that sound a bit like some Robbie Williams song,which isn't a good thing.
To me, the best track is Science of Silience, and the very beginning sounds like the Bill Withers song Lean On Me. To put it in a nutshell, this album lyrically, like all of Richard's work, is amazing, but I would like some of the music to a bit harder here and there (with the exception of Bright Lights, the only remotely hard song on the album). And even though, again, Ashcroft's work is great, it simply isn't the verve. So Richard, do me a favor, call up your old pals, and start the pheonomon that was the verve all over again.

As Chris Martin said once: "Richard Ashcroft is the best singer in the world", and believe me man, it's true. Human Conditions gathers glam and nostalgic elements that a britpop music love could adore. This cd opens with the great "check the meaning" the best example that you'll find in the musical journey Mr Ashcroft can offer in this album. It's really nice to hear every song, 'cause they're really sentimental, the lyrics have meaning, everythign fits correctly, the rest: just sit back and enjoy!!.

Seems like many Verve/Ashcroft fans trashed this CD in the reviews, which I cannot understand. I don't see a huge difference between this and Alone with Everybody so I am not sure what people are hearing when they tell people to stick with Alone and not even buy Human.

I was hooked with the opening riff of Check the Meaning. The problem is that most people are comparing him to his own insanely high standards and if the CD is not perfect it seems as if people just dropped it.

It does take some time to grab you, there are some songs to cut, but overall there are not nearly enough artists, especially in the US, who write with such deep introspection, revealing himself for all, and with such respect for art over money, for anyone to trash this CD. Urban Hymns is flawless, a 12 out of 10, so by comaprison Human is maybe an 8 but better than 99% of the garbage out there today.

Are some song too long? Yes, Overproduced and obviously trying too hard at points? Could it have been edited and a bit more raw? Yup, A little G-d and Savior Complex by Richard? Of course, but there is magic in his emotions, lyrics, and music- If you expect perfection you are bound to be let down but if you listen closely to this CD, spend some time with it, you will most definitely be rewarded.

And, I don't think it was released in the US, not sure about sales in UK, but if he is not supported you can expect him, and similar artists to go away while we true music fans get trounced by the mass marketed, over-produced, billion dollar, souless, hip-hop, rap-rock, and pop artists- reviewers here seem very inteliigent and educated and of course have a 100% right to their opinion but be careful- go ahead, trash Human, spread the word, convince others not to buy it and be first online when all we are offered is the next Britney or Ludicris CD.