Customer Reviews

Keys to the World

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Third release on, Richard Ashcroft is back with a Motown feel added to his usual brand of northern indie rock. Besides that, nothing much has changed: The tunes are still as catchy as ever, and of course, the brilliant lyrics Ashcroft always has had a knack at writing remains.

Matching up to the genius of his year 2000 debut release Alone With Everybody and a few notches better than 2003's Human Conditions (which suffered quite a beating from both the critics and the audiences), Keys To The World will definitely open quite a few many more doors, if not the world, for the ex-frontman of The Verve.

"Break The Night With Colour", the first single off the album is one of the strongest, its lyrics dealing with what has always been the fundamental topics of his lyrics: lossless-ness and self-discovery - `The corridors of discontent / That I've been traveling / All alone in search for truth / The world's so frightening / Nothing's going right today / Cos nothing ever does'.

Some other stand-outs here are "Music Is Power" with its massive orchestral ensemble a la Starsailor's "Four To The Floor" and "Words Just Get In The Way" which is nothing short of breath-taking. "Why Do Lovers" and "Cry Till Morning", are without an inch of doubt some of the best ballads Ashcroft has written to date. They will again re-affirm why Richard Ashcroft has been repeatedly called a legend of our time, along with other heavy-weights like Noel Gallagher and Ian Brown.

Keys To The World ends with "World Keeps Turning", and when Ashcroft belts out `Everything in my life is right again', one can only hope he doesn't really mean it. Ashcroft's music has always been driven by the darker side of his life - sadness, confusion, difficulties - and it certainly would be a shame if this journey ends at the third album mark The Verve's journey ended at.

People can say whatever they want to say about Richard Ashcroft. All the stories about him being a `former indie glory whose star is slowly fizzling out' really can't be taken seriously because that's just exactly what they said about Noel Gallagher a couple of years back, and look at where Oasis is now. Measuring talent and heart, Ashcroft gives his listeners more than the legal amount in Keys To The World, only serving to counter all the empty talk of a burn-out.

So it's time to yet again step aside and make way for the man who always has had all the right keys to unlock the world - Ashcroft stands alone mightily, and he is a living proof that life does indeed continue, even after the revelatory work of a band like The Verve.

Before buying this cd, I knew little of Richard Ashcroft--I knew the single 'Bittersweet Symphony' (with The Verve), and had a British friend who loved his music, but I hadn't heard it. Then, I heard a track from 'Keys' on radio while in my car and literally drove to the nearest music store as it played to buy this cd. I've NEVER done that (never even thought about it!), but I had to have this music, right then! And I am so glad I did. This is an excellent disc & a permanent fixture in my stereo. My favorite track is "World Keeps Turning"--it is impossible not to move to the beat of it. The only song I'm not absolutely wild about is "Sweet Brother Malcolm", and it's pretty good. Richard Ashcroft is well worth getting to know!

Im a fan and have been on the Ashcroft bandwagon for sometime even when the wheels began to fall off with the dull Human Conditions. That album had a couple great tunes- check the meaning- god in the numbers- lord ive been trying- while the rest sounded like dull rehash ballads of former works. The new album im afraid falls into the same category. Break the night with color is a great midtempo ballad. keys to the world is something new and sounds like a successful attempt of bowies and lennons "fame". Whiteboy soul piercing fast string stabs and an energy thats been missing. Sweet brother malcolm is a simple but heartfelt sounding acoustic ballad- nowhere near the drugs dont work or brave new world but it does sound sincere. Ashcrofts vocals do sound strong if not better than ever but the other tunes and the arrangments as well as chris Potter's production assistance( a real thorn in ashcrofts solo work) really put this into bland terrority. The opener which wants to rock(again a bowie like horn section) sounds like a band came up with a slight groove and asked Ashcroft to sing over it. Ironically entitled "why not nothing"! The other songs are a mix of forgettable ballads that just sound too much like earlier solo efforts or failed attempts to "rock out" Try as he might Richard is missing that spark behind him- the music and performer at times dont even sound like they know each other. Its not as slick as his first solo record(his best but to slick) but again the sounds and tunes dont meet. Its almost like a record from Wellers mid 90's period Stanley road heavy soul( plodding dadrock)- IN FACT Ashcroft could learn from the the 15+ year older Weller who in the last five years has produced some great solo work anad seems to have a fire burning under him. Some want a return of the verve- but that magic will never be conjured again. A new hunger is all Ashcroft needs- my advice- download the 3 or 4 songs off itunes or any other service and save 10 $$$. But if he ever comes to town- dont miss it-hes great live and theres more than enough great tunes to fill out the night.

Before my first listen of this album, I wasn't expecting anything really different than the two previous Richard Ashcroft albums, and that's pretty much what I got. Now, there's nothing really bad about the record, but there's nothing really new or fresh about it. Richard Ashcroft has made quite clear that he has no intention of trying to re-create the signature Verve sound, and that's why, once again, there are no heavy guitar sounds to be found on this album. Ashcroft's voice is the only link to that of The Verve sound. This album is definitely more Pop than Rock. Infact, some songs sound more like Robbie Williams than Richard Ashcroft. At times, the songs sound over-produced, with heavy orchestrations drowning the song. Now, don't get me wrong, they are some decent songs here. To me, the best track here is "Words Just Get in the Way", and slow-burners like "Sweet Brother Malcolm" and "Cry 'Til Morning" are good too. "Break the Night with Colour" also is good. But just like Ashcroft's previous solo efforts, there is just something missing. Maybe Ashcroft is just trying too hard to pull away from his image as the former front man of The Verve. Maybe he just needs to be himself more. I do think however, that he needs to go to the basics and create some plain rock n roll songs with just drums, bass, guitar, and voice. There's no question that Richard Ashcroft is one of the best songwriters of his time, and I think that he has the capabilities to do better work than this. But, I always hope for the same thing everytime a new Ashcroft album is released. Maybe next time. Maybe the next time we hear of Richard Ashcroft releasing an album, it will be with 4 other guys from Wigan that was once known as The Verve.

Before my first listen of this album, I wasn't expecting anything really different than the two previous Richard Ashcroft albums, and that's pretty much what I got. Now, there's nothing really bad about the record, but there's nothing really new or fresh about it. Richard Ashcroft has made quite clear that he has no intention of trying to re-create the signature Verve sound, and that's why, once again, there are no heavy guitar sounds to be found on this album. Ashcroft's voice is the only link to that of The Verve sound. This album is definitely more Pop than Rock. Infact, some songs sound more like Robbie Williams than Richard Ashcroft. At times, the songs sound over-produced, with heavy orchestrations drowning the song. Now, don't get me wrong, they are some decent songs here. To me, the best track here is "Words Just Get in the Way", and slow-burners like "Sweet Brother Malcolm" and "Cry 'Til Morning" are good too. "Break the Night with Colour" also is good. But just like Ashcroft's previous solo efforts, there is just something missing. Maybe Ashcroft is just trying too hard to pull away from his image as the former front man of The Verve. Maybe he just needs to be himself more. I do think however, that he needs to go to the basics and create some plain rock n roll songs with just drums, bass, guitar, and voice. There's no question that Richard Ashcroft is one of the best songwriters of his time, and I think that he has the capabilities to do better work than this. But, I always hope for the same thing everytime a new Ashcroft album is released. Maybe next time. Maybe the next time we hear of Richard Ashcroft releasing an album, it will be with 4 other guys from Wigan that was once known as The Verve.

I'll admit, this is my first solo Richard Ashcroft album I've listened to. Quite frankly, I was a bit skeptical because I loved the Verve and I didn't really know what to expect. When I first listened to this album "Keys To The World", I instantaneously fell in love with it. Every song on this CD has its individual charm with Richard Ashcroft's seemingly addicting vocals. This is definitely worth the buy to any Ashcroft or Verve fanatic. Ashcroft is one of the greatest songwriters in england, if not the world.

This album,like Richard's previous two albums are like the hair on your head,they have to grow on you.There is improvement however,with tracks like "Break the Night with Colour" and the overlooked gem that closes the album"World Keeps Turning"is reason enough to own,but tender songs such as "Sweet Brother Malcom" and "Why do Lovers" tug at the heart strings like only a Richard Ashcroft song can.Richard let's his hair down and cranks up the sound with opener"Why not Nothing"he lashes out at politicians playing politics and religous hypocrites while electric guitars and crashing cymbals blare through the speakers."Music is Power"is a catchy pop/rock song with a whirling string section in the background,you'll probably have this melody in your head the rest of the day,it's really cool.The companion dvd is a candid view of Richard doing a radio interview, going track by track he discuses each song and revealing some insight into his songwriting inspiration.We also get one concept video ("Break the Night in Colour") and three live videos of Richard doing what he does best,performing onstage.This album has some great songs and for some unknown reason,the talent's of Richard Ashcroft have been sorely overlooked in the United States,hopefully this album,if not the next will put him where he belongs,at the top!Enjoy!

It's the third record from the dude from the Verve. I thought the first two were great. I still have them in my collection. It's sort of more like Motown than shoegazer music. The last one didn't get so many good reviews. There was some good singles. This one came out pretty fast. Ashcroft had a big appearance last summer playing Live 8 with Coldplay. It was one of the highlights. This album seems simpler and more direct. "Why Not Nothing?" is a Lou Reed like two chord song. Some songs are simple statements as in "Music Is Power" and "Words Just Get In The Way." Ashcroft gets a good sound out of the harpsichord on "Break The Night With Colour." One song "Keys To The World" is built around a sample. Some other songs are more voice and guitar. It's almost like a Cat Stevens type album at the end of the day. Ashcroft tries to make political and philosophical statements about the world. He is reporting about this time on the planet. He is a medium for the madness. This record also comes with a DVD. On part of it, Ashcroft explains the ideas behind his songs. Then you have three songs in live performance. Of course the Live 8 performance would have been nice. Then there is a video for "Break The Night With Colour." On a lot of these British artists, they all seem to come with a DVD. Great.

I saw Verve in 1995. I can think of no finer band to emerge from the UK in the history of time; plenty that matched - but none that surpassed. They were so good in the 35 minutes or so they were allowed to play in a small tent at the Phoenix festival, that I almost cacked myself with joy. Saw them again in 1999ish - just after Mr McCabe left - and the reason for the split was laid bare for all to see - Richard Ashcroft. A man who, post Northern Songs, has often been frustrating, sometimes deep, incredibly pretentious, occasionally moving, delusionally egotistic and frequently very very bare. Richard had stars in his eyes that night - and was so up himself that I had to leave too. I wasn't happy about this but so it goes. The last time I saw Richard.

Since then, Peggy's solo career has been patchy - a promising first album - though un-cohesive, was followed by a widely panned underachiever in Human Conditions - an album that in reality is truly excellent - trust me - buy it - before it suffers the ignominy of being given away free with the Mail on Sunday. It's only sold about a 143 copies or something.
Now though, Chris Martin has spoken, so all must be good; but in reality, touting our Peggy as the finest vocalist in the UK at the moment is actually quite demeaning to even Chris Martin - who sings mainly [...] these days, but at least sings it very well indeed. So the celeb-mad British public has the ultimate insider tip and thus receives the pretentiously named Keys to World with reverence and the bleatings of baby sheep.

Unfortunately, having listened to this for a couple of weeks, I can't help feeling that either the keys got lost or the world has gone astray, for this is a lost soul of an album, brimming with unoriginality, banal American drawl, weedy strings and, for some inexplicable reason, a constant desire to sing like the Dylanesque sexagenarian, Bob Dylan. If you like Dicky's exquisitely manufactured new vocal style, then any of Dylan's last three albums will blow you to smithereens. And there I was, forcing myself to listen more intently, trying to fathom out if I was missing something when suddenly I thought that Cry Til The Morning sounded just a little too much like All along the Watchtower, I realised that I was. Wasn't that vocal a little on the Tom Petty side? Wouldn't the track Keys To The World have been fantastic if Roy Orbison had sung it? (it bloody well would have too). Didn't that slide guitar sound like George Harrison? Am I listening to the Travelling Wilburys and more to the point, wouldn't I be far more satisfied if I was? Certainly the answer to most of these questions is, was and should have been `yes'.

Dear Peggy, please understand something: you are a top-goal-scorer for it from Wigan, not a craggy jowled rock icon from Troubadourville, Illinois. Your voice isn't actually yours at the moment and these songs are pap. Most could be performed better by Ronan Keating or Chris Rea. They present the listener with the keys to Peggy's dad's garden shed. Ladies and gentleman, tonight Richard Ashcroft will be a pale imitation of the man who gave us Sun the Sea, Slide Away and So it Goes. And so it goes. This is a tragedy.

Richard, It's been about six long years and it's time to take stock by spending a few moments with yourself. Crank up your best stereo in a big bare room and listen to those three tracks just mentioned. You are the best vocalist in the UK. You are a genius. Cack your pants with joy. Then, get your feet back on the ground but leave your head in the clouds. You can do it son, c'mon.

Inevitably and somewhat sadly, this album will fall into the clutch-at-anything, Coldplay-ing hands of Radio Schmooze listeners and they will of course feel that they're living on the edge as this drivel warbles out through their Megane Scenic woofers. So it Goes.

Po Po Priddy Peggy-O.

I liked Ashcroft's first solo cd "Alone with Everybody". I'm addicted to it actually and have probably heard it more than 50 times. There seem to be so many layers to the sound that new things kept revealing themselves to me after many listens. It's a "great cd for the car": a lot of variety, a lot of energy. I liked his follow-up "Human Conditions", but it was a lower energy affair. It's a great cd for background music in the house as opposed to being a great car cd.

This new cd is somewhat closer to "Alone with Everybody" in terms of energy. It's kind of like what "Alone with Everybody" might feel like if the songs on "Alone" were more compact. The new single "Why Not Nothing" is great and might be the most energetic thing he's done as a solo artist. The latter half of the new cd has a number of slow but wonderful songs.