Amazon.co.uk Review
Like so many before him, the
Verve's ex-frontman Richard Ashcroft is destined to be the victim of his own success. That the Verve's final album, the universally applauded
Urban Hymns, with its down-tempo laments and thoughtful lyrics captured a space in time and was taken to a nation's hearts, makes it a tough act to follow, even for the man who was the creative force behind the Verve. And Richard Ashcroft's solo debut
Alone With Everybody doesn't really compare at all. The thoughtful country-tinged ballads "Brave New World" and "I Get My Beat"--strummed acoustics, melancholic strings and lyrics that run like a conversation with himself--confirm Ashcroft's ability to pen a captivating melody. Meanwhile, singles "A Song For The Lovers" and "Money To Burn"--positively up-beat by his standards--may not be as emotive or touch the same nerve as
Urban Hymns' "The Drugs Don't Work", "Lucky Man" or "Bitter Sweet Symphony", but they're still infectious. And the eerie atmosphere and raw edge of "New York" reassure that there's more to him than plodding, sentimental acoustic tunes. The Verve would never have pulled off an
Urban Hymns Volume II, which is why their leading light has been wise not to try to either.
--Dan Gennoe
CD Description
Following the worldwide success of The Verve's URBAN HYMNS album, vocalist Richard Ashcroft struck out on his own (withhelp from Verve drummer Peter Salisbury). ALONE WITH EVERYBODY, his debut solo effort, is a lush affair and the naturalnext step in furthering the sound of his former band's "Bittersweet Symphony". Each track is carefully constructed, replete with accentuating string sections, and highlights Ashcroft's relaxed-yet-earnest vocals.
Standouts are "Brave New World" and "Slow Was Heart", both which recall Echo And The Bunnymen and feature smoothed-out country grooves accentedby subtle, snaky steel guitar. "New York" has an awkward yet curiously catchy funk undertone and swooping, overlapped guitars, while "You Must Be on My Mind", a gorgeous, slow motion lullaby, features a Verve-like instrumental break and isone of two tracks including ex-Spiritualised member Kate Radley (also known as Mrs. Richard Ashcroft). Speaking of Spiritualised, "Money to Burn" mines that band's alternative-gospel/blues vein, complete with harmonica, horns, and choral vocals. The album's highlight is "C'mon People (We're Making It Now)", which sounds as though it was a blast to record and is a catchy, glittering pop song to boot.