Richard Ashcroft - 'Human Conditions' (Hut)
3/5
By: Toby L
Cleaning up the world's ails appears to be the mighty Richard Ashcroft's daunting challenge with second-LP, 'Human Conditions'. And, following a prior solo-outing which largely dealt with the joys of life and love, it makes for quite a contrast.
However, these days, musically, it's pretty much standard affair - any one of the ten boldly-produced and shockingly lavish compositions just epic enough to slide into any part of his ye olde The Verve's back-catalogue. So, tradition is of the essence, seemingly, as opposed to intrepid innovation - and what results is a lush array of material that ranks up there with the best of his prior works, even if there is the odd lyrical-sentiment here and there which begs renegotiation.
Opening with the gigantic, string-augmented work that is 'Check The Meaning', also his most recent top-20 hit, motives of restraining the full body of sound to a mild slumber is an unlikely prospect and, thrillingly, such a formula holds out all the way through, with the only real down-slide arising within the almost gratuitousness addition of MOR, up-tempo number, 'Bright Lights', which rattles more than it rocks.
But when the effect is that of tranquil bliss, this is when all benefit; with the arch beauty and towering instrumentation of 'Lord I've Been Trying' - a potential single itself - and mid-point of 'God In The Numbers', yet another moment where Richie questions the powers that be beyond this flying rock which we inhabit, he's delving into career-best territory. Though, arguably, how this compares to the sumptuous 'Nature Is The Law', the rousing finish, complete with Brian Wilson on backing-vocals, is just not near enough - RA saving all the bombast and gospel-tinged greatness he hints to throughout right 'til the end.
So a successful second full-length record with the occasional downer here and there, Ashcroft is continually proving himself to be a musician to be reckoned with. And, when he enquires as to the fabric of human-nature and faith, his assured cool still holds out, and, unlike many singer-songwriters, his sincerity need not be disputed.
Artists in this article: Richard Ashcroft
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