Album Review: Richard Ashcroft - These People

One of the UK's biggest voices to come out of the '90s has been uncharacteristically quiet for the last six years, but former Verve vocalist Richard Ashcroft is back to lushly orchestrated, immaculately produced, crooning pop.

To be honest, there are few surprises. Wil Malone is back coordinating the string sections and one can comfortably sing the lyrics of The Verve's Lucky Man to the verses of They Don't Own Me, while the beachy Picture Of You brings back pesky old comparisons to Bernard Butler. However, Ashcroft remains masterful at delivering emotional clout while remembering to occasionally shuffle the feet.