it's a bittersweet symphony, that's life.

dotmusic - Live review

Fri 20 Sep 2002 18:08
Gig played on: Wed 18 Sep 2002
RICHARD ASHCROFT - ASTORIA, LONDON

He's a curious beast, the Sensitive Lad. From a distance he's indistinguishable from your regular lad, all bravado and cheap lager, still dressed in the white shirt he wears in the office. But give him a soul searching anthem and he's bellowing for the skies, hand on his heart, beer can aloft, tiny tear in his eye. He came into being when Weller swallowed the first bitter pill of rejection, and found his place in the high street with Oasis. But in this era of poncy Strokes and bloody nu-metal, he's lost, looking for direction.

Cue Richard Ashcroft, the patron saint of Sensitive Lad. He understands what it is to struggle with notions of masculinity and sensitivity. He knows that sometimes you're so in touch with your inner feelings that you can't spare the time to walk around someone in the street.