Keys To The World
by Richard Ashcroft
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

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  1. chrisp
    Feb 2, 2006
    4
    I am a biut unique I think in that I am a huge Verve fan, and also huge solo Ashcroft fan without comparing him to his former band. It seems either people like him solo or don't because they always comapre him to the Verve. He has 2 sides with solo work- 1 darker, edgier and real (Check the Meaning, God in Numbers, etc) but also a more over-produced, cheesy, preachy side with no I am a biut unique I think in that I am a huge Verve fan, and also huge solo Ashcroft fan without comparing him to his former band. It seems either people like him solo or don't because they always comapre him to the Verve. He has 2 sides with solo work- 1 darker, edgier and real (Check the Meaning, God in Numbers, etc) but also a more over-produced, cheesy, preachy side with no edge- and that is exactly what this whole CD is- highyl overproduced, tons of generic coldplay type lyrics with a supposed message- he is so soft bordering much more on Neil Diamond than John Lennon- very dissapointed, was excited for this, especially after the single Break te Night which is by far the darkest and edgiest on the CD… Expand
  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. 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.
  3. JoshR
    Jan 27, 2006
    5
    an average album from a guy with an average solo career. bring back the verve.
  4. Carlos
    Feb 1, 2006
    4
    Not the worst I have listened to, but certainly a word defines it: boring! Agree that Ashcroft´s carrer is quite disappointing, especially after the superb last Verve´s album.
  5. JohnF
    Feb 11, 2006
    5
    It's not bad; it's just bland. Ashcroft has simply lost touch with what it takes to feel excited about something. Keys to the World only expresses how much he wants to remember the emotions that drove him to write the quality songs that the Verve albums prove he is capable of. Maybe someday he'll remember.....
  6. sally
    Mar 6, 2006
    5
    Starts off strong and totally loses me after the 4th song. So much whining and unoriginal lyrics..I turn the cd off about 10 minutes into it..I love him, but his first 2 cds have been the strongest..this is just dull, dull, dull.
  7. bruces
    Mar 13, 2006
    5
    oh how the mighty have fallen...

Awards & Rankings

59
#59 Most Discussed Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. musicOMH.com
    70
    His voice sounds better than ever, and while nothing here recaptures the glory years of The Verve, his songs are more focused than ever before.
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  2. Playlouder
    40
    Too much is sodden with his overbearing ego.
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  3. Dot Music
    30
    How the mighty have truly fallen.
    Read full review
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