The spindly yet charisma-ripped Richard Ashcroft owns one of Britrock's finest voices, yet - arguably - he hasn't committed it to a decent record since The Verve's 'Urban Hymns' in 1997.
His new band is an interesting proposition, though.
Featuring the chap who did the strings for Michael Jackson's seminal 'Off The Wall' album, Mary J Blige's guitarist, Jay Z's producer and a glittery cast of other top American session musicians, United Nations of Sound are probably the most expensive and exclusive musical ensemble of 2010.
So how's about them tracks, then? Well, they're "interesting".
'She Brings Me The Music' sounds like it should've been a Poison piano ballad from 1987 (Poison being a wimpy '80s hair-metal outfit); 'How Deep Is Your Man' is a John Lee Hooker-esque blues romp; and 'Beatitudes' is full of the sort of snarly pop thwacks of a Britney Spears record.
Aside from the ridiculous song titles (see above), the rest of it is best described as fine-time, drive-time stadium rock with a giant soulful edge and zillion-pound production. What it lacks in invention and ideas, it certainly makes up for in heart and soul - even if those hearts and souls cost several thousand dollars a pop!
$ummery ea$y li$tening.
*WIN CDS!* Fancy giving Ashcroft's new album a spin? We've got 5 boxed copies to give away! Simply email your name and details to chaps@maxim.co.uk, stating 'Richard Ashcroft' in the subject head. Winners will be picked at random. Entrants must live in the UK and be over 18.
Closing date: 12 August 2010
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