Richard Ashcroft

Whether or not you regard Richard Ashcroft as a pompous twerp, there's no denying the might of his old band the Verve: In its prime, the group delivered such gorgeous, melancholy hits as "The Drugs Don't Work" and "Bittersweet Symphony." This year, Ashcroft is touting an eponymous solo album (previously released in the U.K. as United Nations of Sound).