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. mikela
    Mar 23, 2006
    10
    El puto amo
  2. gregor
    Jan 30, 2006
    9
    Don't know what some people's problems are, cause this is a great return for him.
  3. james
    Jan 30, 2006
    10
    aw this album is tops!
  4. matta
    Feb 1, 2006
    8
    This is definitely not nearly as bad as the critics are saying it is. The Human Condition was pretty shit, but this has some solid songs on it, including Music is Power, Break the Night With Colour, and Why Do Lovers. Not quite as good as his solo debut, but still good. The only God-awful song on this thing is the title track and that is pretty bad. If I was just rating that song I would This is definitely not nearly as bad as the critics are saying it is. The Human Condition was pretty shit, but this has some solid songs on it, including Music is Power, Break the Night With Colour, and Why Do Lovers. Not quite as good as his solo debut, but still good. The only God-awful song on this thing is the title track and that is pretty bad. If I was just rating that song I would give Pitchfork's rating, but c'mon, a 20!!?? And this coming from the same site that said The Rapture's Echoes was the best album of 2003.… Expand
  5. JamesO
    Feb 1, 2006
    9
    Some great tunes and when he's good, he's unbeatable
  6. 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.
  7. PavelM
    Feb 5, 2006
    8
    Not superb, but some songs remind me the best verve.
  8. 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.
  9. 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?
  10. 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
  11. BenR
    Feb 2, 2006
    10
    Ignore the critics - this is really, really good!
  12. AlexandraM.
    Feb 2, 2006
    10
    The real Richard Ashcroft has arrived!! He brings forth a beautiful mixture of wonderful sounds to his new album "Keys to The World". The album is absolutely without doubt his best work and most astounding.Richard pulls from his deepest depths of his soul and has created a truly wonderful colletion of music. A true musician , writer and dedicated in what he believes in, makes this album a The real Richard Ashcroft has arrived!! He brings forth a beautiful mixture of wonderful sounds to his new album "Keys to The World". The album is absolutely without doubt his best work and most astounding.Richard pulls from his deepest depths of his soul and has created a truly wonderful colletion of music. A true musician , writer and dedicated in what he believes in, makes this album a great. I have followed Mr.Ashcroft long before his hay day with BitterSweet Symphony. A CD worth buying.… Expand
  13. MattH
    Feb 7, 2006
    10
    Excellent album, some people have a pre-conceived view of Richard being the "Verve Continued" but this is not what he is trying to do!! The album is full of amazing songs in their own right. People who are expecting a new Verve album should go elsewhere and stop bitching!!
  14. 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.
  15. [Anonymous]
    Mar 1, 2006
    10
    Great work from the best singer and songwriter in a world.
  16. 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
  17. 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!
  18. MikeK
    Apr 12, 2006
    10
    Great singer and nice songs with creative arangements. A little eccentric but thats what music needs.
  19. 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
  20. MarcA
    Jul 27, 2006
    9
    A great and simple album from Richard Ashcroft.
  21. dugb
    Jan 31, 2006
    9
    by far, ashcroft's best solo outing. Typically strong ballads (why do lovers, cry til the morning, break the night with colour) as well as a rollicking jab at the religious right (why not nothing). Thoroughly satisfying record, easily distancing itself from the first two solo efforts.
  22. 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!
  23. 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
  24. MichaelC
    Feb 21, 2006
    8
    Some of the lyrics are clichés, but the music is great.
  25. 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...
  26. 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.
  27. JimR
    Feb 19, 2006
    8
    Best of his solo efforts, this album is more focused than the previous two, worth checking out!!
  28. mrsdemos
    Mar 22, 2006
    10
    this album is amazing i love it
  29. 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...
  30. davidc
    May 25, 2006
    10
    fantasic. brilliant laid back enjoyable music
  31. 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.

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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