With The Postelles
It's good to know that Richard Ashcroft still loves a good string arrangement. With his latest album just released in the U.S.—"United Nations of Sound"—Ashcroft seems to be channeling his inner Neil Diamond these days, not that that is a bad thing. The new album has got all the makings of a feel good, gospel inflected soundtrack for people who grew up in the '90's, and think of the period fondly.
With something of Diamond's raspy timbre creeping into his vocals of late, Ashcroft laid into an eager, 30-something, sold out crowd at Bowery Ballroom last night with a tightly crafted set of new and old songs, including one or two favorites from The Verve. With an ultimate throwback to the decade Matt Pinfield was on hand to introduce Ashcroft, and to share the news in person that 120 Minutes will be back on the air with him as host. It's always nice to get news straight from the horse's mouth. With The Postelles. —Gabi Porter
