Richard Ashcroft in general

The first time I saw The Verve - and they were trading under the name 'Verve' at that point - it was 1992, they were supporting Ride, and they were just so much sci-fi sonic bombast, all throbbing bass, formless guitar and this goon at the front who needed a haircut, singing lessons and reminding that he had an audience in front of him. They lacked tunes but they also lacked the stature they thought came with the music. Well, one album late (the majesterial History), a leap of confidence that gave the world Urban Hymns and whoah ! The Verve join the rock canon with ease. So ... fast forward, race through the acrimony that detroys all the great ...  Read the complete review

With two top 20 singles under his belt already as he embarks on his new solo career, the ex-Verve frontman releases his debut solo album. Verve fans have been eagerly awaiting any type of Verve release - whatever it may be. They don't care if The Verve, Richard Ashcroft or Nick McCabe release something. The public are hungry and Richard Ashcroft has come to satisfy their appetite. Most people who buy the album expecting another Urban Hymns style album will be very disappointed. His songwriting approach to this album is very unlike the 'Bittersweet Symphony' and 'The Drugs Don't Work' of Urban Hymns and he takes a softer, more country like ...  Read the complete review

In his first album as a soloist, Ashcroft has decided to emulate the styles and sounds of his work whilst with The Verve. Although it is not a copy of this work, the styles have virtually remained the same and he has decided to carry on from where he was with The Verve instead of starting afresh and trying something new. However, this is not a bad thing, as the album can be credited as producing songs to the high standards that were set by the band on the album Urban Hymns. The songs that automatically stand out to me are A Song For The Lovers and Money To Burn which combine a catchy tune with great instrumentals and high calibre lyrics. After listening ...  Read the complete review

'Alone With Everydody' is a very listenable album but I feel that ultimately it suffers on two fronts. Firstly, he and his partner have just had a child, and secondly he does not have other members of a band to rein in his talent. Consequently, the overall feel is one of a mellow man settling into 'family' life who has not been pushed to the limit. Just look how Harry Enfield's show went belly-up after having a child. A song such as 'Brave New Day' can hold it's head high with anything produced whilst with The Verve. But too often the songs fall short of the mark. Without the pressure and friction of The Verve members, there was ...  Read the complete review

This overrated idiot really doesn't deserve all the attention and coverage he gets - the fact that dooyoo's front page has a link to this section is at the very least questionable when there are so many artists out there who have released better new material. The Verve were a good band, but as many Verve fans will tell you, the quality of their music was down to them as a group not Richard Ashcroft as an individual. Nick McCabe was at least as responsible for the excellence of 'A Northern Soul' and 'Urban Hymns', and Ashcroft admitted as much by refusing to continue as The Verve without him. Just like the self-indulgent solo ...  Read the complete review