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| Ex-Verve-ster's 2nd melodic, probing solo set. Check The Meaning, Buy It In Bottles, Science Of Silence, Nature Is The Law (w/Brian Wilson), etc. |
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| 1 Check the Meaning |
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| 2 Buy It in Bottles |
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| 3 Bright Lights |
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| 4 Paradise |
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| 5 God in the Numbers |
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| 6 Science of Silence |
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| 7 Man on a Mission |
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| 8 Running Away |
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| 9 Lord I've Been Trying |
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| 10 Nature Is the Law |
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| 11 The Miracle [*] |
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Album Review
Richard Ashcroft is a deeply inquisitive man, probably too much for his own good. His regimen of frequently questioning God and overanalyzing the theories of love naturally work for him, so the design of "Human Conditions" isn't any different from what he's done before. But that's not necessarily a bad thing, either. "Human Conditions" is, in a literal sense, Ashcroft's sonic bible of beautifully crafted melodies and lyrical mysticism. The warm, honeyed tones of a hushing brass section and string arrangements set the mood on album-opener "Check The Meaning." A battle of search and fight is realized almost immediately. God is female and Ashcroft's lyrical character struggles with trust. Sweeping acoustic guitars drive the lilting paranoia of "Buy It In Bottles" and "God In The Numbers," but the bluesy feel of "Bright Lights" is much more gritty. Ashcroft might be a bit preoccupied with finding a good life, but who isn't? He's playful in presentation and actually pretty sweet when it comes to delivering a pop hook. "Nature Is The Law," which features harmonies from Beach Boy Brian Wilson, is a testament of that. Whereas "Alone With Everybody" was lush in emotion but musically over-produced, "Human Conditions" stays within the boundaries. It's a decent second album and longtime Verve enthusiasts should leave it at that. [Also released with a bonus track, the "Miracle."] ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide
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• Biography
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Other albums by: Richard Ashcroft |
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