Keys to the World explained

Keys to the World
Type:studio
Artist:Richard Ashcroft
Cover:Keys to the World.jpg
Released:23 January 2006
Recorded:State of the Ark, 2005
Genre:
Length:44:18
Label:Parlophone
Producer:
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Keys to the World is the third studio album by English singer-songwriter Richard Ashcroft. It was released 23 January 2006, reaching number 2 in the UK Albums Chart (see 2006 in British music). Ashcroft worked on the album at State of the Ark Studios and Julian Kershaw wrote string arrangements for some of the songs later recorded by London Metropolitan Orchestra. Strings are featured on eight songs on the album which also features electric viola on some tracks – played by Bruce White. The engineer/producer of this album was Chris Potter, and being his final solo album for a decade, until These People (2016).

Release and reception

Keys to the World was met with "mixed or average" reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, this release received an average score of 52 based on 19 reviews.

In a review for AllMusic, Thom Jurek wrote: "Three and a half years later, the Verve's former frontman is back with a record not terribly different, though certainly more pastoral and perhaps more middle of the road. The rest of the disc simply follows a formula, though it's a pleasant one. Ashcroft introduces everything else here with skeletally placed guitars, pours on the strings, and keeps the tempo on slow, slower, and slowest until the final track." At Drowned in Sound, critic Dom Gourlay wrote: "Keys to the World then is a deeply personal, occasionally lifeless but equally insightful passage into the latest chapter of Richard Ashcroft's life story. Doing what he does best but just be prepared for some very uneasy listening." Scott Shetler of Slant Magazine wrote: "Keys to the World, is his best solo effort to date, adding punchy melodies to the insightful lyrics and strong vocals that are characteristic of his music. Keys to the World is a definite step forward and demonstrates that Ashcroft is finally hitting his stride as a solo artist."

The album was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry, selling more than 300.000 copies.

Personnel

Release details

CountryDateLabelFormatCatalog
Japan12 January 2006Toshiba-EMICDTOCP-66502 / 4988006838161
United Kingdom23 January 2006ParlophoneCD3483732 / 0946 3 48373 2 3
CD/DVD (CD)3545202 / 0946 3 54520 2 0
CD/DVD (DVD)3503812 / 0946 3 50381 9 4
Australia6 February 2006Capitol RecordsCopy Controlled CD3531382 / 0946 3 53138 2 6
Canada7 February 2006ParlophoneCD0946 3 48373 2 3
Argentina7 March 2006Copy controlled CD0946 3 53138 2 6
United States21 March 2006Virgin RecordsCD/DVD0946 3 54523 2 7

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2006)Position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[1] 87
UK Albums (OCC)[2] 71

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2006. Ultratop. 24 October 2020.
  2. Web site: End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2006. Official Charts Company. 24 October 2020.