Richard Ashcroft is best known for fronting The Verve but he is also an accomplished solo artist with three studio albums to his credit (Alone with Everybody [2000], Human Conditions [2002], and Keys to the World [2006]). Although The Verve reunited in June, 2007 Ashcroft plans on commencing his solo career in tandem with his band responsibilities. I had grabbed Ashcroft’s solo albums a number of years ago but didn’t listen to them until recently. [...]

Keane are a “piano rock” band (natural and synthesized piano with distortion rather than traditional guitar) from the UK. Their first two albums?(Hopes and Fears and Under the Iron Sea respectively) sold great in Europe and decently in North America (tends to be hard market for UK bands to penetrate). The song below is the first single (Spiralling) from their?third album (Perfect Symmetry) which drops on October 14th.

Kasabian: An English band from Leicester, UK. Very catchy, radio-friendly songs. Most folks have heard a Kasabian song without knowing it (used in TV and movies frequently). The Stills: A Canadian?band from Montreal, Canada. 80′s rock sound. On July 20, 2008, Paul McCartney hand-picked them to open for him in front of over 350,000 concert-goers in Quebec City. Ian Brown: An English singer from Manchester, UK. Former front-man for the legendary (but short lived) Stone [...]

A little tardy in posting this as Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday celebrations were held at Hyde Park on June 27th. A very heartfelt and soulful rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday” from Bono and The Edge (U2)….high notes and all.

If the first single (Love is Noise) off?The Verve’s forthcoming album (Forth)?is any indication, there’s no rust?from being?split up for?7-8 years.?Forth (aptly titled as it is The Verve’s fourth studio album) drops on August 18th internationally and the following day in North America. Below is the Verve performing Love is Noise at Glastonbury 2008.