Keys to the World
Richard Ashcroft’s third solo album begins with a snarl. Atheism anthem “Why Not Nothing?” rocks and rages in a way he’s not done since The Verve’s broiling “Come On” – but it’s a red herring. Scraping away some of the polish of previous solo albums, this record excels in the downtempo moments: the spartan, grand “Sweet Brother Malcolm” and aching ballads “Break the Night With Colour”, and “Words Just Get In the Way”. It’s not all somber fare though, and looping hip-hop grooves drive “Music Is Power” and “Keys to the World”.
Another collection of maudlin strings, chintzy brass, and anguished, bombastic vocals from the once-charismatic Verve singer.
Ashcroft uses a burping horn section and a few layers of raw, rusty electrics on "Why Not Nothing," the opener on Keys to the World, a nefarious anti-religion rant.
<p><strong>Paul Mardles: </strong>Rock's self-styled Messiah finally walks it like he talks it.</p>
Keys to the World demonstrates that Ashcroft is finally hitting his stride as a solo artist.
Self-belief is a strange thing. It's fine and damn convincing when you're on the way to the top