CD Reviews

 

Richard Ashcroft

Alone With Everybody (Hut / EMI )

The Verve were one of the mightiest names in Brit-pop Britain, rising majestically above the mediocrity. But they were a troubled band, and although their internal strife might have given rise to some musical strength, it ultimately lead to their downfall too.

They finally split up a year ago, but they left an awesome epitaph in the form of Urban Hymns; surely one of the finest albums of all time. Richard Ashcroft was the very core of that band, and one of the most respected and talented songwriters in the business. Recall the calibre of anthems like Bittersweet Symphony or The Drugs Don't Work and you realise what a natural talent the man has. After the split, it was just a matter of time before there was some new creative outlet for him.

That talent can't be bottled up, and now his first solo magnum opus is out. The moody Ashcroft vocals ease themselves around the airy strings and atmospheric keyboards that had became a trademark for The Verve, and the result is predictably excellent. Ashcroft has always sung about life, love, death and everything in between, and Alone With Everybody continues that trend. But although it is produced by Chris Potter (the man behind Urban Hymns) it is not Urban Hymns Part II. It's a surprisingly upbeat collection at times; including the simply excellent first single Song For The Lovers, and the more curious second, Money To Burn. There are some unlikely country-esque overtones, which might raise a few eyebrows, and nearly veer off into Neil Diamond territory - thankfully not quite.

Otherwise Crazy World or C'mon People (We're Making It Now) are probably as near to the pop market as he has ever been; the whole album being far more 'accessible' than many have predicted. No, that is not selling-out; it just shows the true strength and depth of Ashcroft's talents. Still, it is the mournful melancholy tracks like You On My Mind In My Sleep, Brave New World and New York that excel. Urban Hymns conveyed unrestrained tears of emotion, Alone With Everybody may even crack a smile.

The wait and anticipation might have lead some critics to expect something more or different, but believe the hype. This is supreme.