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Product Details:
Audio CD Release Date:
February 25, 2003
Studio:
Virgin Records Us
Number Of Discs:
1
Average Customer Rating:
based on 20 reviews
Description:
Distancing himself still further from the howling guitars and shoegazer drones of his old band, the Verve, on his second solo effort, Richard Ashcroft maintains the stripped-down, introspective aesthetic of 2000's Alone with Everybody. Human Conditions focuses on the same spiritual battle of religion and love versus desperation and disillusionment—it's a conflict Ashcroft has been waging with himself and the world since the Verve's intensely sad 1995 release, A Northern Soul. Whether he's winning or losing these psychic skirmishes is still in question, but songs like "Paradise" ("How long can I stay here? How long can I pray here?") and "Lord I've Been Trying" indicate a deepening spiritual inspiration. Listening to Ashcroft work out his demons used to be a lot more fun; many former Verve fans undoubtedly miss the band's fire and theatricality, as well as the thematic counterpoint once provided by guitarist Nick McCabe. Undeniably though, the deeper he digs, the more interesting and mature he sounds, even without a bolt of electrified angst to drive the point home. --Matthew Cooke
Track Listing:
1.
Check the Meaning
2.
Buy it in Bottles
3.
Bright Lights
4.
Paradise
5.
God in the Numbers
6.
Science of Silence
7.
Man on a Mission
8.
Running Away
9.
Lord I've Been Trying
10.
Nature is the Law
11.
The Miracle (US Bonus Track)
Customer Reviews:
Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Alone With Everybody..the next frontier!Sep 18, 2008 Richard Ashcroft, as confirmed by Christ Martin of Coldplay, is the best, most gifted, most talented singer/songwriter of his generation. From his classic and timeless work with The Verve, to his amazing solo debut "Alone With Everybody", to "Human Condition" and "Keys To The World", Ashcroft shines brightest! Human Condition continues Ashcroft quest for self-discovery, God, faith, love and redemption. Isn't that everyone's story? Pick up Alone With Everybody and his latest Keys To The World..this man's music is like candy to one's soul!
To those looking for The Verve...this is not it; neither was "Alone With Everybody or Keys To The World." You want The Verve? Then go buy "FOUR"..it is amazing!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
great, but not the verveDec 26, 2006 This 2nd album from Richard Ascroft is definitely better and deeper than "Alone With Everybody". Ascroft still shows that he one of the best songwriters of his time. The only thing this lacks is the sound. Maybe Ashcorft doesn't want to sound like his old band, the Verve, but you have to admit, this album would be a classic if done in the classic verve stlye, with Nick McCabe droning guitars, and a bit of echoed-out lyrics. Another thing is that at times, the album tends to get poppy, especially in the last track, Miracle. There are bits of music here and there, that sound a bit like some Robbie Williams song,which isn't a good thing.
To me, the best track is Science of Silience, and the very beginning sounds like the Bill Withers song Lean On Me. To put it in a nutshell, this album lyrically, like all of Richard's work, is amazing, but I would like some of the music to a bit harder here and there (with the exception of Bright Lights, the only remotely hard song on the album). And even though, again, Ashcroft's work is great, it simply isn't the verve. So Richard, do me a favor, call up your old pals, and start the pheonomon that was the verve all over again.
2 of 5 found the following review helpful:
why ashcroft why?Nov 08, 2005 why richard ashcroft after a fantastic first album follow it up with such trite as this...god check the meaning is boring mediocre twoodle and the rest of the songs all sound the same i bought this when it was first released and it sat gathering dust of ages until the other week i decide too give it another go because i heard he's releasing a new album new year and thought i would get in the mood for some great vocals and what i got was a depressing boring whingey album of twoodle i love buy it in bottles and bright lights but the rest sound like something you would expect from the over-rated i mean OVER-RATED band radiohead not from a guy that gave up three classic albums with the verve sorry richard this is crap
hope you pick up the pace with your new album and go back to the glory days of the verve
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
BLOODY AWESONE!!!! IT'S GREAT MAN!!Oct 23, 2005 As Chris Martin said once: "Richard Ashcroft is the best singer in the world", and believe me man, it's true. Human Conditions gathers glam and nostalgic elements that a britpop music love could adore. This cd opens with the great "check the meaning" the best example that you'll find in the musical journey Mr Ashcroft can offer in this album. It's really nice to hear every song, 'cause they're really sentimental, the lyrics have meaning, everythign fits correctly, the rest: just sit back and enjoy!!.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Melancholy lyrics and music with meaning and purpose. Sep 17, 2005 This is a very good, if not excellent, sophomore effort by Ashcroft. Always poetic, cynical and insightful, Ashcroft embodies the spirit of Johnny Cash, Jim Morrison, and Bob Dylan with mellowness and a brooding sensitivity. His lyrics definitely require that you do some thinking and reflecting. The sweeping orchestral arrangements elevate the otherwise depressed mood of some songs, although there are fewer such arrangements than in his previous album 'Alone with Everybody'. This album is definitely more mature lyrically, but its mood is more mellow and melancholy. It digs deeper into the meaning of life, the nature of God and spirituality, whereas 'Alone with Everybody' was not as focused lyrically. Overall I would recommend this album to anyone familiar the Verve and with Ashcroft's earlier works, and to people in search of meaning in their music.
based on 20 reviews
