Well there's an obvious solution
Taken from his album 'Keys to the World', 'Words Just Get in the Way' is no doubt destined to give Richard Ashcroft yet more chart success.
Ashcroft has a very distinct voice that is instantly recognisable, which has served him well over the years but it's not used to great effect here. I'm the first to admit that I'm not a great fan of Richard Ashcroft's work but a good song is a good song regardless of who's singing it. Unfortunately 'Words Just Get in the Way' isn't a good song, it's laid back feel makes it flow well but it never really goes anywhere and just ambles along with no real sense of purpose. On the plus side this song will serve him well at festivals as it's a prime candidate for lighter waving and gentle swaying but it will do little to win over those that aren't already fans.
The lyrics are sentimental and there will probably be plenty of people who can relate to them but they are rather predictable, as is the song itself. Rather forgettable and uninspiring I'm afraid, even die hard fans will probably accept that he can produce far better than this.