Review of Richard Ashcroft : Human Conditions
Human Conditions demonstrates that Richard Ashcroft hasn't lost his drive to tackle big topics. The titles tell their own story: "Check the Meaning," "Paradise," "God in the Numbers," "Man on a Mission"--more songs about God, life, and passion. For better or worse, few rock stars have engaged in such an intense, irony-free existential quest. Human Conditions continues the wide-eyed spiritual odyssey instigated by 2000's Alone with Everybody. Ashcroft's persuasive, expressive voice carries the fluent opener "Check the Meaning," while the Spiritualized-like "Buy It in Bottles" will likely prove to be a concert favorite. "Science of Silence and Man on a Mission" find the ex-Verve frontman seeking truth in an insecure world, and the wracked, confessional "Lord I've Been Trying" scales new heights of grandeur. There are weighty splendors aplenty here. For Richard Ashcroft, the quest continues. --Ian Gittins

Users's Reviews - Richard Ashcroft : Excellent and Flawed
Seems like many Verve/Ashcroft fans trashed this CD in the reviews, which I cannot understand. I don't see a huge difference between this and Alone with Everybody so I am not sure what people are hearing when they tell people to stick with Alone and not even buy Human.

I was hooked with the opening riff of Check the Meaning. The problem is that most people are comparing him to his own insanely high standards and if the CD is not perfect it seems as if people just dropped it.

It does take some time to grab you, there are some songs to cut, but overall there are not nearly enough artists, especially in the US, who write with such deep introspection, revealing himself for all, and with such respect for art over money, for anyone to trash this CD. Urban Hymns is flawless, a 12 out of 10, so by comaprison Human is maybe an 8 but better than 99% of the garbage out there today.

Are some song too long? Yes, Overproduced and obviously trying too hard at points? Could it have been edited and a bit more raw? Yup, A little G-d and Savior Complex by Richard? Of course, but there is magic in his emotions, lyrics, and music- If you expect perfection you are bound to be let down but if you listen closely to this CD, spend some time with it, you will most definitely be rewarded.

And, I don't think it was released in the US, not sure about sales in UK, but if he is not supported you can expect him, and similar artists to go away while we true music fans get trounced by the mass marketed, over-produced, billion dollar, souless, hip-hop, rap-rock, and pop artists- reviewers here seem very inteliigent and educated and of course have a 100% right to their opinion but be careful- go ahead, trash Human, spread the word, convince others not to buy it and be first online when all we are offered is the next Britney or Ludicris CD.

Your latest reviews - Richard Ashcroft : Excellent and Flawed
Seems like many Verve/Ashcroft fans trashed this CD in the reviews, which I cannot understand. I don't see a huge difference between this and Alone with Everybody so I am not sure what people are hearing when they tell people to stick with Alone and not even buy Human.

I was hooked with the opening riff of Check the Meaning. The problem is that most people are comparing him to his own insanely high standards and if the CD is not perfect it seems as if people just dropped it.

It does take some time to grab you, there are some songs to cut, but overall there are not nearly enough artists, especially in the US, who write with such deep introspection, revealing himself for all, and with such respect for art over money, for anyone to trash this CD. Urban Hymns is flawless, a 12 out of 10, so by comaprison Human is maybe an 8 but better than 99% of the garbage out there today.

Are some song too long? Yes, Overproduced and obviously trying too hard at points? Could it have been edited and a bit more raw? Yup, A little G-d and Savior Complex by Richard? Of course, but there is magic in his emotions, lyrics, and music- If you expect perfection you are bound to be let down but if you listen closely to this CD, spend some time with it, you will most definitely be rewarded.

And, I don't think it was released in the US, not sure about sales in UK, but if he is not supported you can expect him, and similar artists to go away while we true music fans get trounced by the mass marketed, over-produced, billion dollar, souless, hip-hop, rap-rock, and pop artists- reviewers here seem very inteliigent and educated and of course have a 100% right to their opinion but be careful- go ahead, trash Human, spread the word, convince others not to buy it and be first online when all we are offered is the next Britney or Ludicris CD.