{"id":20511,"date":"2016-05-25T12:46:28","date_gmt":"2016-05-25T11:46:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/?p=20511"},"modified":"2016-05-25T14:31:17","modified_gmt":"2016-05-25T13:31:17","slug":"never-mind-the-balearics-ex-verve-man-blends-rock-with-electronica-on-4th-solo-album","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2016\/05\/never-mind-the-balearics-ex-verve-man-blends-rock-with-electronica-on-4th-solo-album\/","title":{"rendered":"NEVER MIND THE BALEARICS – Ex-Verve Man Blends Rock With Electronica On 4th Solo Album"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Review<\/p>\n

I’ve always felt that there were two Richard Ashcrofts – the cocksure ‘Mad Richard’ you often see in his interviews – and the sensitive soul who gave us The Drugs Don’t Don’t Work<\/em>,\u00a0Lucky Man<\/em> and\u00a0A Song For the Lovers.<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Both Richards are in evidence on These People, Ashcroft’s <\/em>first album in six years, but the combination is not entirely successful.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

As with previous solo efforts, Ashcroft and long time collaborator Chris Potter\u00a0<\/strong>attempt to meld acoustic balladry with flourishes of electronica.<\/p>\n

Many of the songs are world-weary with lyrics suggesting a frustration with the relentlessness\u00a0pace of modern life, so perhaps the dabbling with house and disco is an attempt to convey that disconnect.<\/p>\n

But too often the sound clash simply doesn’t fit and the effect is of styles colliding rather than complementing each other.<\/p>\n

Like Anohni<\/strong>‘s\u00a0Hopelessness\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>(reviewed\u00a0here<\/a>) Ashcroft at times appeals to to the protest movement, with references to Watergate and workplace exploitation on opener\u00a0Out Of My<\/strong><\/em> Body<\/strong>, and\u00a0water\u00a0cannons and pepper spray on\u00a0Hold On<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

But Ashcroft’s writing is less direct than Anohni and his message rather lost in grandiose, broad brush sentiments.<\/p>\n

That said, the return of former Verve<\/strong> string arranger\u00a0Wil Malone\u00a0<\/b>is a major plus and while there’s nothing here to match the pair’s work on\u00a0Urban Hymns<\/strong><\/em>, there are a few songs that would definitely have made the subs’ bench.<\/p>\n

The title track with its jingle jangle guitars and quiet defiance of ‘These people sent to test us\/Sent to play with our minds’ shows that Ashcroft’s voice has lost none of its power over the years.<\/p>\n

There are strong echoes of the Verve on the sweeping\u00a0They Don’t Own Me<\/strong><\/em>, while acoustic strummer\u00a0Black Lines\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>blends dark lyrics with sweet melodies.<\/p>\n

Best of all \u00a0is the closing track\u00a0Songs Of Experience<\/strong><\/em>, which injects a much needed change of pace into proceedings.<\/p>\n

Bolstered by a fierce drum backing, it has real attack and is one of the few where the blend of rock and electronica really works.<\/p>\n

Like many artists boasting an enviable back catalogue, Ashcroft is doomed to face the charge that his best days are behind him.<\/p>\n

But while there’s ample evidence to suggest there might be life in the old dog yet, These People<\/em>\u00a0fails to eclipse his late ’90s masterworks.<\/p>\n

It’s a pleasure to have him back, but Richard Ashcroft can do better than this and I hope he will.<\/p>\n

\u2022 These People<\/strong><\/em> is out now<\/strong>\u00a0Righteous Phonographic Association<\/strong>\u00a0via Cooking Vinyl Records, purchase through\u00a0Official Store<\/a>\/ITunes\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0or Amazon\u00a0via this link<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"Richard