Human Conditions [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Human Conditions demonstrates that Richard Ashcroft hasn't lost his drive to tackle big topics. The titles tell their own story: "Check the Meaning," "Paradise," "God in the Numbers," "Man on a Mission"--more songs about God, life, and passion. For better or worse, few rock stars have engaged in such an intense, irony-free existential quest. Human Conditions continues the wide-eyed spiritual odyssey instigated by 2000's Alone with Everybody. Ashcroft's persuasive, expressive voice carries the fluent opener "Check the Meaning," while the Spiritualized-like "Buy It in Bottles" will likely prove to be a concert favorite. "Science of Silence and Man on a Mission" find the ex-Verve frontman seeking truth in an insecure world, and the wracked, confessional "Lord I've Been Trying" scales new heights of grandeur. There are weighty splendors aplenty here. For Richard Ashcroft, the quest continues. --Ian Gittins

Album Description
The much anticipated follow up to the debut (UK) Number 1 solo album 'Alone With Everybody'. Featuring ten new songs, 'Human Condition' is Ashcroft at his most hypnotic, epic & focused. Such songs as 'Buy It In Bottles', 'Lord I've Been Trying' & current single 'Check The Meaning' are an expression of Ashcroft's deepest soul with his most classic & infectious musical vision to date. Amongst the contributors to the album are Beach Boys' founder & musical genius Brian Wilson, who adds harmony vocals to 'Nature Is The Law'. Chuck Leavell the keyboard player whose recording credits include work with such luminaries as Aretha Franklin & The Rolling Stones as well as former Verve drummer Pete Salisbury & Mercury winning Talvin Singh on Tablas. No US release slated until 2003. Virgin. 2002.

Tracks:

Check the Meaning
Buy it in Bottles
Bright Lights
Paradise
God in the Numbers
Science of Silence
Man on a Mission
Running Away
Lord I've Been Trying
Nature is the Law
The Miracle (US Bonus Track)

Amazon.com

Distancing himself still further from the howling guitars and shoegazer drones of his old band, the Verve, on his second solo effort, Richard Ashcroft maintains the stripped-down, introspective aesthetic of 2000's Alone with Everybody. Human Conditions focuses on the same spiritual battle of religion and love versus desperation and disillusionment—it's a conflict Ashcroft has been waging with himself and the world since the Verve's intensely sad 1995 release, A Northern Soul. Whether he's winning or losing these psychic skirmishes is still in question, but songs like "Paradise" ("How long can I stay here? How long can I pray here?") and "Lord I've Been Trying" indicate a deepening spiritual inspiration. Listening to Ashcroft work out his demons used to be a lot more fun; many former Verve fans undoubtedly miss the band's fire and theatricality, as well as the thematic counterpoint once provided by guitarist Nick McCabe. Undeniably though, the deeper he digs, the more interesting and mature he sounds, even without a bolt of electrified angst to drive the point home. --Matthew Cooke

Customer Reviews:

great, but not the verve.......2006-12-26

This 2nd album from Richard Ascroft is definitely better and deeper than "Alone With Everybody". Ascroft still shows that he one of the best songwriters of his time. The only thing this lacks is the sound. Maybe Ashcorft doesn't want to sound like his old band, the Verve, but you have to admit, this album would be a classic if done in the classic verve stlye, with Nick McCabe droning guitars, and a bit of echoed-out lyrics. Another thing is that at times, the album tends to get poppy, especially in the last track, Miracle. There are bits of music here and there, that sound a bit like some Robbie Williams song,which isn't a good thing.
To me, the best track is Science of Silience, and the very beginning sounds like the Bill Withers song Lean On Me. To put it in a nutshell, this album lyrically, like all of Richard's work, is amazing, but I would like some of the music to a bit harder here and there (with the exception of Bright Lights, the only remotely hard song on the album). And even though, again, Ashcroft's work is great, it simply isn't the verve. So Richard, do me a favor, call up your old pals, and start the pheonomon that was the verve all over again.

why ashcroft why?.......2005-11-08

why richard ashcroft after a fantastic first album follow it up with such trite as this...god check the meaning is boring mediocre twoodle and the rest of the songs all sound the same i bought this when it was first released and it sat gathering dust of ages until the other week i decide too give it another go because i heard he's releasing a new album new year and thought i would get in the mood for some great vocals and what i got was a depressing boring whingey album of twoodle i love buy it in bottles and bright lights but the rest sound like something you would expect from the over-rated i mean OVER-RATED band radiohead not from a guy that gave up three classic albums with the verve sorry richard this is crap
hope you pick up the pace with your new album and go back to the glory days of the verve

BLOODY AWESONE!!!! IT'S GREAT MAN!!.......2005-10-23

As Chris Martin said once: "Richard Ashcroft is the best singer in the world", and believe me man, it's true. Human Conditions gathers glam and nostalgic elements that a britpop music love could adore. This cd opens with the great "check the meaning" the best example that you'll find in the musical journey Mr Ashcroft can offer in this album. It's really nice to hear every song, 'cause they're really sentimental, the lyrics have meaning, everythign fits correctly, the rest: just sit back and enjoy!!.

Melancholy lyrics and music with meaning and purpose. .......2005-09-17

This is a very good, if not excellent, sophomore effort by Ashcroft. Always poetic, cynical and insightful, Ashcroft embodies the spirit of Johnny Cash, Jim Morrison, and Bob Dylan with mellowness and a brooding sensitivity. His lyrics definitely require that you do some thinking and reflecting. The sweeping orchestral arrangements elevate the otherwise depressed mood of some songs, although there are fewer such arrangements than in his previous album 'Alone with Everybody'. This album is definitely more mature lyrically, but its mood is more mellow and melancholy. It digs deeper into the meaning of life, the nature of God and spirituality, whereas 'Alone with Everybody' was not as focused lyrically. Overall I would recommend this album to anyone familiar the Verve and with Ashcroft's earlier works, and to people in search of meaning in their music.

Worth getting........2005-04-09

"Alone with everybody" Richard Ashcrofts first album is quite dreadful, but "Human Conditions" is a completely different record, much more reminicent of "The Verve" and something new as well.

Definitley worth getting.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful, beautiful sounding album. Addictive.
Excellent and Flawed
Loosing it
What's wrong with EMI USA?
An Occasionally Tiresome Messiah Complex

Human Conditions
Richard Ashcroft
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Alone with Everybody

ASIN: B00006JXYT
Release Date: 2002-12-17

Tracks:

Check The Meaning
Buy It In Bottles
Bright Lights
Paradise
God In The Numbers
Science Of Silence
Man On A Mission
Running Away
Lord I've Been Trying
Nature Is The Law

Amazon.com

Human Conditions demonstrates that Richard Ashcroft hasn't lost his drive to tackle big topics. The titles tell their own story: "Check the Meaning," "Paradise," "God in the Numbers," "Man on a Mission"--more songs about God, life, and passion. For better or worse, few rock stars have engaged in such an intense, irony-free existential quest. Human Conditions continues the wide-eyed spiritual odyssey instigated by 2000's Alone with Everybody. Ashcroft's persuasive, expressive voice carries the fluent opener "Check the Meaning," while the Spiritualized-like "Buy It in Bottles" will likely prove to be a concert favorite. "Science of Silence and Man on a Mission" find the ex-Verve frontman seeking truth in an insecure world, and the wracked, confessional "Lord I've Been Trying" scales new heights of grandeur. There are weighty splendors aplenty here. For Richard Ashcroft, the quest continues. --Ian Gittins

Album Description

The much anticipated follow up to the debut (UK) Number 1 solo album 'Alone With Everybody'. Featuring ten new songs, 'Human Condition' is Ashcroft at his most hypnotic, epic & focused. Such songs as 'Buy It In Bottles', 'Lord I've Been Trying' & current single 'Check The Meaning' are an expression of Ashcroft's deepest soul with his most classic & infectious musical vision to date. Amongst the contributors to the album are Beach Boys' founder & musical genius Brian Wilson, who adds harmony vocals to 'Nature Is The Law'. Chuck Leavell the keyboard player whose recording credits include work with such luminaries as Aretha Franklin & The Rolling Stones as well as former Verve drummer Pete Salisbury & Mercury winning Talvin Singh on Tablas. No US release slated until 2003. Virgin. 2002.

Album Details

Second Solo Album from the Former Verve Frontman. Guests Include Former Beach Boy Brian Wilson, (Who Supplies Harmonies to the Track "Nature is the Law"), Allman Bros/Sea Level/Rolling Stones Keyboardist Chuck Leavell, Former Verve Drummer Pete Salisbury and Mercury Music Prize Winner Talvin Singh on Tablas.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful, beautiful sounding album. Addictive........2006-10-11

This is an unbelievably wonderful and satisfying album. It is a perfect companion to Urban Hymns, which I listen to frequently. I like Human Conditions even more than Alone with Everybody, which is a good album in itself.

I almost did not buy Human Conditions due to the bad reviews. Am I ever glad I did. Just goes to show, even amongst fans, there are different tastes.

Try the album for yourself.

Excellent and Flawed.......2004-05-16

Seems like many Verve/Ashcroft fans trashed this CD in the reviews, which I cannot understand. I don't see a huge difference between this and Alone with Everybody so I am not sure what people are hearing when they tell people to stick with Alone and not even buy Human.

I was hooked with the opening riff of Check the Meaning. The problem is that most people are comparing him to his own insanely high standards and if the CD is not perfect it seems as if people just dropped it.

It does take some time to grab you, there are some songs to cut, but overall there are not nearly enough artists, especially in the US, who write with such deep introspection, revealing himself for all, and with such respect for art over money, for anyone to trash this CD. Urban Hymns is flawless, a 12 out of 10, so by comaprison Human is maybe an 8 but better than 99% of the garbage out there today.

Are some song too long? Yes, Overproduced and obviously trying too hard at points? Could it have been edited and a bit more raw? Yup, A little G-d and Savior Complex by Richard? Of course, but there is magic in his emotions, lyrics, and music- If you expect perfection you are bound to be let down but if you listen closely to this CD, spend some time with it, you will most definitely be rewarded.

And, I don't think it was released in the US, not sure about sales in UK, but if he is not supported you can expect him, and similar artists to go away while we true music fans get trounced by the mass marketed, over-produced, billion dollar, souless, hip-hop, rap-rock, and pop artists- reviewers here seem very inteliigent and educated and of course have a 100% right to their opinion but be careful- go ahead, trash Human, spread the word, convince others not to buy it and be first online when all we are offered is the next Britney or Ludicris CD.

Loosing it.......2003-06-09