Keys To The World (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Richard Ashcroft > Reviews > Richard Ashcroft - Keys To The World reviewed

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Average
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Mixed
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Satisfactory

Advantages:	Richard Ashcroft singing good songs is always an advantage
Disadvantages:	Will always be compared to the Verve, and it isn't as good

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Aah Dickie. What to make of you. Some say you have unshakable self-belief, others an unjustified arrogance over Radio 2-friendly 'anthems'. Chris Martin declared last Summer to millions you were "the greatest singer in the world", no doubt you agree, but is an unsurpassed voice enough?

The answer is no. But Ashcroft has already proven his worth with classics such as The Drugs Don't Work, Song For The Lovers and the much parodied, video-accompanied Bittersweet Symphony. Subsequently, the bar is raised. Keys To The World is his next attempt and, like previous albums, its difficult to tell whether it's as far ahead of the pack as Dick Fosbury or simply just a flop.

Opener 'Why Not Nothing' lends Ashcroft's philosophical approach to religion in his best Liam Gallagher impression. An average song alone, it opens well and will have you singing the chorus long after the growling guitar is suffocated. 'Music Is Power' follows, bringing Summery barbeques with friends. Aided by a Curtis Mayfield sampler, it should be a single when the weather starts to warm.

Current single 'Break The Night With Colour' hits the mark also, but only just. Equally at home on Radio 2 as it is on Radio 1, it would be appreciated if dear old Dickie was a fresh faced youth from Sheffield. Sadly, he's a war-beaten old warrior from Wigan and it shows as he limps along on songs like 'Words Just Get In The Way' and 'Sweet Brother Malcolm', while 'Why Do Lovers' couldn't be more suited for a wedding unless it ended with a cheesy DJ asking friends and family to join the happy couple on the dance floor.

Somewhat unsurprisingly for an album full of songs written over six years, it is a mixed bag and, just as you're putting the ironing board away, Ashcroft pulls out '75 Degrees' and calls it a bonus track. And bonus it is, if it was on Air's excellent 'Moon Safari' with Ashcroft credited as a guest, it would be rated as one of their best songs, rather than an add-on to an 'alright' album. Even the typically self-indulgent line, "I often wondered when it all went right" settles in a song of this calibre.

As an album, there has been better by The Verve. But it could be Ashcroft's best.

7/10