Richard Ashcroft (Photo: Paul Bachmann for Live4ever Media)
Richard Ashcroft has shared a video for Born To Be Strangers with his new solo album Natural Rebel currently on course for the number one spot in the UK.
It’ll be Ashcroft’s first UK chart-topper since his 2000 solo debut Alone With Everybody if all remains on track, the album reflecting that, as the last of the great songwriters of his generation to turn 50, ‘middle-age seems a good place to be‘ according to Live4ever:
“The key influence on Natural Rebel is Tom Petty (RIP), who was himself anthemic but with a more middle-of-the-road hue. It’s most notable on All My Dreams, a curious choice for an album opener, the subject matter being the love of his life Kate Radley, one can safely assume.”
“More of the same follows on Birds Fly, which is a full-on string ballad with a twist. As ever, Ashcroft is going for timeless songwriting, always covering the big themes of love, life and pain – first single Surprised By The Joy is as radio-friendly as he’s ever been; ‘I wanna walk the garden with you. A natural rebel, here I am’.”
