Alone With Everybody
by Richard Ashcroft
  • Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Jun 27, 2000
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 20
  3. Negative: 2 out of 20
  1. MTV.com
    90
    Nearly an instant classic...one of the most convincing and refreshing debuts in recent memory.
  2. Wall of Sound
    82
    The result is not only a more ambitious album than one might have expected, it's also a substantial step forward from Urban Hymns, the Verve's own crowning achievement.
  3. Billboard
    80
    This is a confident, competent new direction from one of rock's most intriguing figures.
  5. Ink Blot Magazine
    80
    For the most part, Richard Ashcroft's debut solo disc delivers.... an album full of soulful and genuine expressions of hope.
  6. AllMusic
    80
    He has moved on from the effervescent prettiness of his former band to make music for himself -- something the Verve might have done somewhere in time, but it wouldn't have been so honest or stripped as this solo jaunt
  7. Alternative Press
    80
    Warm, lush soundtracks bathe the ears in the same bittersweet symphonics that marked out the latter-day Verve. [#146, p. 82]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Magnet
    80
    Though not without the psychedelics that informed the Verve's early records, Ashcroft spends most of Alone elaborating on the same elegance he initially allowed to die with the Verve's 1998 disbanding. [#46, p.67]
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  9. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    A 60-minute torrent of positivity, an open-ended love letter to his wife -
  10. Spin
    80
    A grand, sweeping album of heavenly melodies and rich, full textures.
  11. Spin Cycle
    70
    Admittedly, he seems to be missing a sparring partner like McCabe and thus, "Alone" often suffers a lack of tension. Still, Ashcroft's unabashed joy is rather contagious.
  12. HOB.com
    70
    Fans of the The Verve, or just plain fans of "Bittersweet Symphony," may feel a little let down as the record as a whole, though still steeped in a love of strings and complex arrangement, does not carry the same sonic weight of previous work.
  13. Checkout.com
    70
    Alone With Everybody is a good album with great moments.
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  14. The A.V. Club
    70
    There's a lot to like about Alone With Everybody, and a lot to take in. Most of these busily layered tracks exceed five minutes, and most outstay their welcome.
  15. Rolling Stone
    60
    The problem is that Alone never peaks -- it's without a memorable riff or melody or chorus standing out from the mellow flow.
  16. Select
    60
    In all seriousness, it's often closer to Elton John than The Verve.
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  17. Sonicnet
    60
    There's almost no drama to be found on Alone With Everybody... [t]he songs don't turn corners, and they fail to elicit any real emotional response.
  18. Dot Music
    40
    Music that is designed to smother, to sedate, to lull the listener into a soporific state of boredom.
  19. Q Magazine
    40
    Now more than ever Richard Ashcroft is comfortable with music that strays alarmingly close to the Middle Of The Road.
  20. CDNow
    30
    At the core of these lush power ballads is a lot of empty posturing -- especially when it comes to lyrics.
  21. Pitchfork
    29
    Overly orchestrated mid-tempo ballads with inane lyrics.

Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Best Album of 2000
42
#42 Most Discussed Album of 2000
45
#45 Most Shared Album of 2000

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 2 out of 22
  1. Tate_Laycraft
    Oct 28, 2012
    8
    Like The Verve's "Urban hymns", "Alone With Everybody" took a giant step away from Ashcroft's former style of phsycadelic rock, and brought usLike The Verve's "Urban hymns", "Alone With Everybody" took a giant step away from Ashcroft's former style of phsycadelic rock, and brought us something completely new. However unlike 'Urban hymns", this album's success was by no means carried by a couple of hit singles. I'd say that there are at least a solid five tracks which massively contributed to the album's success. These tracks being "A song for the lovers", "On a beach", "Come on people", "Brave new world", and "I get my beat". One thing I personally love about this album is that Ashcroft seemed to explore all area's of his musical talent. For example, song's like "A song for the lovers" seemed more focused on orchestration while other songs such as "On a beach" seemed more focused on showing off ashcroft's vocal talent. Overall, this is a great album. It does have its flaws, but they're very hard to find. I give it an 8 out of 10… Full Review »
  2. PhilA
    Jan 9, 2006
    10
    Richard Ashcroft has made a brilliant debut solo album here. While this in no way can be compared to the Verve and what they did, it's Richard Ashcroft has made a brilliant debut solo album here. While this in no way can be compared to the Verve and what they did, it's still incredible and fascinating album. Anyone who says this is Middle of the Road is really not listening, because Ashcroft is easily being innovative on this record the same way the Verve were. Check out the incredibly 'out there' New York, with heavy hitting riffs and interesting back drop noises. I Get My Beat is also sounding nothing like what I've ever heard on the radio. Meanwhile, Ashcroft throws in some deliciously infectious pop tunes via "C'mon People We're Making It Now" which sound only like Ashcroft and nothing else in this solar system. Match the catchy songs with their confidence and absolute power to affect, like A Song For The Lovers, which shows with great power how Ashcroft is still capable of wowing us. ?Great album, people who say otherwise need their heads examined.… Full Review »
  3. elenip
    Aug 31, 2019
    10
    So glad that he keeps composing great songs alone. Song for the lovers is a classic!
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