The knock against Richard Ashcroft -- the former lead singer of '90s British psych-rock band The Verve -- is that he's never matched that band's massive sound and mystic energy on his solo work.

But there is definitely fire in the belly of "Mad Richard" once again on his third solo collection, in stores Tuesday, after two breezier folk-pop-soul albums, 2000's Alone With Everybody and 2002's Human Conditions.

Big-sounding standout tracks like Why Not Nothing?, the title track, Cry Til The Morning and Simple Song more than prove he remains a songwriting force to be reckoned with.

And even quieter ballads like Why Do Lovers? recall The Verve at their most beautiful. Or maybe even Neil Diamond.

It's when Ashcroft gets too flowery and showy in the production department -- there is an over-reliance on strings throughout -- that he detracts from his real strength as a tunesmith.

Hopefully, he'll leave the string section behind when he opens for Coldplay's much-anticipated return to Toronto at the Air Canada Centre March 22-23.

The combination should make for an excellent match-up, given the two artists joined forces for a memorable version of The Verve's anthemic Bittersweet Symphony at Live 8 last summer in London.

In the meantime, here's a track-by-track look at Keys To The World:

Why Not Nothing? 4:09

Big-sounding horns and percussion fire up this raging rant-a-thon that sounds more Memphis soul than Northern soul -- more Van Morrison, less Liam Gallagher. Ashcroft, meanwhile, berates politicians, religious figureheads and anything establishment. "I ain't got time for your politics/Oh, your masquerading Machiavellian tricks, goodbye, you know I ain't got the time," he practically yells.

Music Is Power 3:57

A breezy Curtis Mayfield sample fuels this sweet-sounding Philly soul tune with organ and strings aplenty -- and the latter actually work here.

Break The Night With Colour 3:56

This harpsichord-heavy and likeable first single recalls both E.L.O. and The Beatles and features Ashcroft's vocals upfront while he ponders how to break through depression.

Words Just Get In The Way 4:52

An overly earnest yet gentle love ballad fuelled by piano, acoustic guitar, strings, a wah-wah guitar sound and hand claps. Ashcroft's soulful vocals at the end are too little, too late -- but they're a reminder of what this song could have been.

Keys To The World 4:42

The wail of a soulful-sounding female singer -- and the creative use of drum loops and guitar hooks -- make for a powerful combination on this standout track while Ashcroft sings about a child raised on the outside of society. This should have been the first single. And I can't wait to hear the dance remix version.

Sweet Brother Malcolm 4:51

The folkiest song on the album, with plenty of acoustic guitar and strings, is not one of Keys To The World's best-realized tracks. Ashcroft attempts his best Ray Davies -- and fails.

Cry Til The Morning 5:04

Now that's more like it. Piano, psych-rock guitar, strings and tambourine add nice texture to this atmospheric, moody song about two people so wrong for each other they're right. It slowly builds to include a guitar solo that Verve fans will appreciate. This one should be exquisite live.

Why Do Lovers? 4:45

The two baggage-laden lovers from Cry Til Morning survive to share another day together on this pretty ballad fuelled by acoustic guitar, piano and strings. "Why do lovers, choose others, we circle, entwine one another, in that masthead we wear with each other?" Ashcroft sings.

Simple Song 4:05

A slow-building mid-tempo rocker, it begins with piano but eventually builds into something more epic-sounding, with some urgent, almost Dylan-esque vocals from Ashcroft: "Tell me does it feel good? Tell me does it feel right."

World Keeps Turning 3:54

Ashcroft was apparently determined to end the album on an up note with this rollicking, feel-good track that initially irritates but then grows on you with repeated listens. Again, Ashcroft sounds positively Dylan-like. "The world keeps turning, everybody's learning, keep your head out of the race, I've money to spend, and time to lend, all my friends, everything's right in my life again," he concludes.