Keys To The World
by Richard Ashcroft
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 19
  3. Negative: 3 out of 19
  1. Drowned In Sound
    60
    A deeply personal, occasionally lifeless but equally insightful passage into the latest chapter of Richard Ashcroft's life story.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    What compensates for 'Keys To The World''s shortcomings... is that voice. [21 Jan 2006, p.33]
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  3. Prefix Magazine
    60
    Keys to the World does have a few great moments, but it's not the definitive solo record he's been promising.
  5. Mojo
    60
    Very focused and quietly anthemic. [Feb 2006, p.92]
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  6. Under The Radar
    60
    What both sinks and saves the album is Ashcroft's songwriting. [#13, p.90]
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  7. AllMusic
    60
    Not terribly different [from 'Human Conditions'], though certainly more pastoral and perhaps more middle of the road.
  8. PopMatters
    50
    Sure it’s full of unwavering confidence and some pretty songs, but the dull groove Richard Ashcroft seems to have settled into is striking.
  9. Spin
    50
    More corny than convincing. [May 2006, p.91]
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  10. Playlouder
    40
    Too much is sodden with his overbearing ego.
  11. The Guardian
    40
    Give or take the odd tweak - a Bittersweet Symphony-ish orchestral sample on Music Is Power, some dated-sounding world music influence on the title track - Keys to the World sticks fast to the blueprint: soft-rock plod, songs that abandon verses and choruses in favour of dragging out a simple chord sequence to the point of distraction.
  12. NOW Magazine
    40
    His voice is bland and has little variety.
  13. Rolling Stone
    40
    In trying to wrest profundity from simplicity, Keys to the World is only profoundly disappointing.

Awards & Rankings

59
#59 Most Discussed Album of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 67 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 67
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 67
  3. Negative: 12 out of 67
  1. elenip
    Aug 31, 2019
    10
    Richard is so talended that hearing him live made me love him more and enjoy his songs more after that.
  2. Radiolab?
    Dec 7, 2009
    4
    The single "Music is Power" and title track "Keys to the World" are both fantastic and remind you of the heights Ashcroft is capable of. The single "Music is Power" and title track "Keys to the World" are both fantastic and remind you of the heights Ashcroft is capable of. However, the rest of the album falls far short. It's hard to listen to without thinking how much better this could've been were it made by The Verve.… Full Review »
  3. MarcA
    Jul 27, 2006
    9
    A great and simple album from Richard Ashcroft.
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