On his new album Keys to the World, Richard Ashcroft, former lead singer of the Verve, has proven consistent with the title of one of his tracks, Words Just Get in the Way.\ In this album, the power of words has become obsolete. Ashcroft's lyrics fall short of anything extraordinary. While the background music is dreamy and tranquil, the messages lack wisdom and creativity.
The first track ""Why Not Nothing?"" starts the album off with a powerful jerk, yet the rest of the tracks simply fade away into tiring beats and missing purposes. Lyrics like ""Don't deny it its abuse of the cross / Let's get some of God squad in the dock where they belong / Ah where's ya song?"" give the first track an intended meaning of the governments attempted claim to have God on their side. The concept of this track is strong; however, the strength of his words ends there.
Ashcroft's experimentation with this album limits itself with tracks like ""Why Do Lovers,"" which starts out as a failed attempt to sound like a song Johnny Cash would rumble his voice to. The album would be more successful without Ashcroft's voice actually in it. Some of the background music is catchy and beautiful, but it is hard to determine what sound Ashcroft is going for.
The music is inconsistent, going from his normal indie rock sound to a new Motown feel. The title track ""Keys to the World"" takes a forefront on the album as a combination of his indie and Motown sound. Lyrics like ""Here we go again / In your room your idle pleasures / The sinking sands / Perhaps I could make it better"" stick out to prove Ashcroft has maintained some of his past poetic capabilities.
Ashcroft's influence as a past indie legend slowly fizzle away in his third album. Ashcroft's last album, 2003's Human Conditions, which suffered a brutal retaliation from critics and listeners, put pressure on him to make this album nothing short of breathtaking. Unfortunately, Ashcroft failed in accomplishing this goal.
The worst track on the album is ""Sweet Brother Malcom."" Ashcroft squeals his voice from beginning to end repeating the same phrase ""sweet brother Malcom"" over and over again. The background music does not compensate for his lack of lyrical variety as it is predictable and at times overpowered by his voice. The only power this track has is creating an intense migraine.
Ashcroft should quit while he is behind and maintain his credibility as the inimitable lead singer of the Verve.
\
