When I write a review, I'm always wishing in the back of my mind that the album was crap, and that loads of badmouthing would just roll off my tongue with ease. The fact is that when the Boneman's riding me hard enough, and I actually do find time to write something, it's usually a good album I'm trying to push. As a consequence I'm somewhat unaccustomed to reviewing bad albums - they're few and far between, mainly because there's such a wealth of stuff out there deserving of praise. After a few listens to Keys to the World, I thought to myself that this one would be a slam-dunk; I'd knock the review out in record time. However, the unthinkable happened and it's brought me to a stand still. Yes, this album is so bad that I can barely even muster up the courage to write a review for it, for fear of breaking poor Richard, and his faithful followers' hearts. There are more than a few of those within the boneman's cyber-cubicles.

Now I'm no Richard Ashcroft / brit-pop / Verve hater. I've been pro-Ashcroft in the past. His return from hiatus visa-vie his live performance with Coldplay at Live 8 gave me just as many goose bumps as the next guy. Which is what makes this bit of reporting such a difficult and unhappy task. While Ashcroft's solo work has never been anything to write home about, it's, at the very least, been relatively enjoyable and a welcome consolation for those mourning the loss of the Verve. I was happy to have Alone With Everybody on constant repeat in the player way back at the turn of the century. "A Song For the Lovers" and "New York" were wonderful extensions of classic Verve material. Hints of the Verve's light even flickered onto his flawed sophomore attempt, Human Conditions. Keys to the World certainly doesn't represent any kind of dramatic departure for Ashcroft, nevertheless it's strangely devoid of the inspiration and/or verve (if you will) that drove his previous work.

Ashcroft's considerable vocal gift and his melodic sensibilities have always helped disguise the fact that as a lyricist he's at best passable and at worst painfully banal. Nowhere is this shortcoming more evident than on "Music Is Power." Ashcroft sings, "Music is power let it flow through your mind, you're just like a flower in the deep sunshine. Are you invited to the party of life, now you've been sighted do you live 'til you die." It does rhyme, but let's face it, it's every bit as forgettable as his last go at redemption, Human Conditions. Be honest, has anyone actually pulled that one out for a spin since you shelved it shortly after it was released 3 years ago? My guess is your copy has gathered just as much top-dust as mine.

Obviously Keys To The World won't have you pulling out the liner notes for an inspiring read-along, but I can't say that the whole album is worthless, because there are moments of hope. The best song on the album is the title track "Keys to the World," and even "Cry Til the Morning" and the first single, "Break the Night with Colour" demonstrate proof that Ashcroft can still spool a winning melody. Unfortunately though, on Keys to the World, he seems wholly incapable of accessing the same passion and conviction that gave his older stuff it's pulse.