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 Richard Ashcroft: Human Conditions
[Virgin]

Richard Ashcrofts 2000 solo debut, Alone With Everybody, was a fantastic record.  It was laced with feeling and an urgency that was so apparent in his vocals.  It was an album that said I am Richard Ashcroft, prolific solo artist, not that guy with the sunglasses who sang for The Verve.  His latest offering, Human Conditions doesnt necessarily lack much of what made his debut so freaking good, however, it is missing something.  I found myself not realizing where one song ended and the next began.  Human Conditions will lull you to sleepy-sleep if you arent paying attention.  There are no real up-tempo numbers here, which is acceptable but disappointing. 

Ashcroft seems to be questioning life and love and his spiritual self.  Several of the songs allude to turning to God for guidance and direction, some as bluntly as Lord, Ive Been Trying with verses like Captain tell me where I've been, Are there waves left there for me? Can you see the warning sign, Flashing there in my mind? My mind is free and I'm talking up to you.  After a song or two of deity talk, I start to lose interest.  You could blame this on my agnostic beliefs, but I dont like God to be involved with my music.  It almost sounds like Ashcroft believes that God is a woman and that is what has got him so smitten.  He refers to God taking a human form and it is the form of a woman.  Interesting, but not a major point.  I would be more apt to accept the natural progression of things as something of power, as demonstrated in Nature Is The Law, where he sings, The old river with your, Restless swagger and your, Graceful wonder flowing to the sea, I am begging you to hold me and throw me in and Tell me when I will find my peace

Damn, this fella has much on his mind.  He is begging to be understood, and asking to be loved.  I certainly do not love this record but I bet it will prove to be excellent background noise, and I will look for him in the future. 

Lastly, one of my favorite lines from the album There's always time to get wasted (There's no time to waste)"

This album can be purchased at Amazon, Insound, and CD Universe

Richard Ashcroft Official Website

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