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. 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. 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. MarcA
    Jul 27, 2006
    9
    A great and simple album from Richard Ashcroft.
  4. JackT
    Jun 6, 2006
    8
    Since anybody can be a critic, i decided to write one of my one. And i just wanna say Richard Ashcroft is a genius. Three solo albums prove it plus his The Verve time. He has the voice, the lyrics and the melodies. Critics just don't like him because he lost the name "The Verve". But, Ashcroft is and walwys will be The Verve. Anyway, remember the critics from Rolling Stone gave Since anybody can be a critic, i decided to write one of my one. And i just wanna say Richard Ashcroft is a genius. Three solo albums prove it plus his The Verve time. He has the voice, the lyrics and the melodies. Critics just don't like him because he lost the name "The Verve". But, Ashcroft is and walwys will be The Verve. Anyway, remember the critics from Rolling Stone gave Eminem 5 stars.… Expand
  5. davidc
    May 25, 2006
    10
    fantasic. brilliant laid back enjoyable music
  6. abacus
    May 12, 2006
    8
    It's odd that people in America haven't heard Ashcroft since Bittersweet Symphony. They should. Very good album overall.
  7. DelroyF
    Apr 26, 2006
    2
    less than average attempt saviour of rock...haha yeah right
  8. MikeK
    Apr 12, 2006
    10
    Great singer and nice songs with creative arangements. A little eccentric but thats what music needs.
  9. MaciejW
    Apr 5, 2006
    8
    Nothing life-changing but he's got some truly pretty tunes here and, despite what others have said, some of the vocals are personal and relative to what many are likely feeling. Great chill-out listen or a nice evening with a date.
  10. BinhP
    Mar 29, 2006
    7
    Still one of the best vocalists of our generation, not his best work but there are some gems... look for the b-sides...
  11. mikela
    Mar 23, 2006
    10
    El puto amo
  12. mrsdemos
    Mar 22, 2006
    10
    this album is amazing i love it
  13. JesusH.Christ
    Mar 18, 2006
    10
    Oh My DAD! Richard Ashcroft is a GENIUS! I bow to him. Makes me want to punch children, in a good way! His songs hit you like a FIRETRUCK of EMOTION!
  14. joris
    Mar 14, 2006
    7
    The only hauntingly standout track here is the titletrack Keys To The World, amazing... besides this not what I expected tough definitely not bad
  15. bruces
    Mar 13, 2006
    5
    oh how the mighty have fallen...
  16. DavidW
    Mar 8, 2006
    9
    Excellent, good to have another dose - and good to take Human Condition out of my CD player for a change...
  17. 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.
  18. skipe
    Mar 5, 2006
    1
    Absolutely terrible... I can't believe how full of shit King Richard is. Who is this guy kidding? He may have been the frontman for the Verve, but what's becoming increasingly apparent with each solo release is that former magic came from someone/somewhere else.. give it up Richard... I'll mail ya some razors.
  19. [Anonymous]
    Mar 1, 2006
    10
    Great work from the best singer and songwriter in a world.
  20. MichaelC
    Feb 21, 2006
    8
    Some of the lyrics are clichés, but the music is great.
  21. fishwithnoballs
    Feb 20, 2006
    1
    this album is a fish with no legs. piss poor.
  22. JimR
    Feb 19, 2006
    8
    Best of his solo efforts, this album is more focused than the previous two, worth checking out!!
  23. JamesM
    Feb 19, 2006
    7
    Much better than human conditions but he still hasn't discovered how to change key when he plays guitar. His limited guitar playing keeps his voice bound on this earth when it should be exploring the galaxies of the mind. Come on Rich, give Nick a call.
  24. emilyw
    Feb 16, 2006
    8
    I still don't get why he is getting marks taken off for being arrogant. By that same logic, Kanye West's new album should get worst album of 2005. A bit of an exaggeration I know, but still, not only is this vastly superior to his last solo album (which was pretty bad), it's holds up against at least two verve albums and his first solo album. Yea, alot of the songs are I still don't get why he is getting marks taken off for being arrogant. By that same logic, Kanye West's new album should get worst album of 2005. A bit of an exaggeration I know, but still, not only is this vastly superior to his last solo album (which was pretty bad), it's holds up against at least two verve albums and his first solo album. Yea, alot of the songs are cheesy, but Coldplay's new album doens't have a 49. Worth a listen.… Expand
  25. dimec
    Feb 12, 2006
    10
    the fact that the user ratings are at either end shows that there is something about this album. personally speaking...'75 degrees' - is it not a creative success at all levels? listen without prejudice. i am not a crazy fan; but i love this album. iti s highly recommended. PS: he is arrogant... so what? cant he be good?
  26. 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.....
  27. cruj
    Feb 11, 2006
    7
    not a bad album, but who cares? IT'S NOT THE VERVE, which is all any of us want anyway. damn Nick McCabe for losing his shit and breaking up one of the finest songwriting duos of the nineties!
  28. DavidA
    Feb 10, 2006
    8
    This album is better than people are giving it credit for, I think after a few listens others will agree. There is no standout track, but as an entire album it is quite a good listen
  29. kowalski
    Feb 9, 2006
    0
    Im waiting for McCabe's stuff!
  30. PeterH
    Feb 8, 2006
    7
    it's not for everyone to understand melancholy well done. this is music for those who can see beyond mere technique without being simple and naive emotional listeners.
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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.
    Read full review
  2. Playlouder
    40
    Too much is sodden with his overbearing ego.
    Read full review
  3. Dot Music
    30
    How the mighty have truly fallen.
    Read full review
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