Richard Ashcroft - Keys To The World (Parlophone) By Steve Rudd

Thank God for the songwriting talents of Richard Ashcroft. He is now some six years into his solo career since the nation's favourite band from Wigan - The Verve, that is - split. Luckily, the material that Richard has released as a solo artist has consistently been just as enticing, and this latest 10-track album of his will have surely to goodness attracted plenty more fans to his music. This album kicks off with one of the coolest and catchiest tunes therein with Why Not Nothing?, an upbeat anthem to get hugely excited about.

The chart-smashing single release in Break The Night With Colour is another highlight, but not before the acoustic-rooted and funkily chilled-out vibes of Music Is Power makes its stylish mark.

Richard obviously sings his way through every single song while playing guitar and keyboards, yet he has an excellent 'backing band' in tow to help out as and when, with ace guitarist Terry Britten just one of the talented band members. Lush string arrangements back many of the songs, and this gives an epic feel to proceedings, with this album being a mixture of upbeat anthems and slower, more melancholic cuts such as the tantalisingly tender Words Just Get In The Way, a reflective song that harbours the lyric Fear is coming fast; you think your time is past.

Cry Til The Morning is another beautiful tune, proving that even the subtlest keyboard melodies can be thoroughly enchanting, against Richard's sensually soul-fuelled vocals. Right up until the majestic closing tune in World Keeps Turning, Richard keeps the listener entertained in a way that few singer-songwriters can in this day and age. Singing from the heart, he connects with the listener in a most bewitching fashion, making Keys To The World a little masterpiece of an album in the process. Thus, there's little wonder why he's held in such high regard by the music establishment at large.

www.richardashcroft.com

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