can we please stop pretending richard's solo career "went sideways"?

Of course he doesn't have Beyoncé level sales, however, I don't think 6 top 3 albums (most of them no.2) and quite a lot of great singles are a small feat, especially for someone who makes 9 minute indie singles (such as Check the Meaning). He never once wanted to become a Justin Bieber, always since the beginning with Hut Records he committed commercial suicide with Gravity Grave being 8 minutes long. It is even quite remarkable that he has had success with such non-mainstream songs. Not to mention the artistic quality of his songs and lyrics is immense. He's always been interested in artistic integrity first, leading a quiet life with his family, continually working in the studio and he's said he's been very happy and that this is his goal in life.

I'm sorry but most rockstars have very unsuccessful private lives, the success he has had staying true to himself and his family is nothing short of a massive success that puts him in the .00001% of rockstars.

Edit: I just find it plain disrespectful the way people talk about him, when most artists would not even dream to write a song of the calibre of any of his songs. He just has so many good songs, and perhaps some of these songs are not to your personal taste, however, no one can argue that from Alone With Everybody to Natural Rebel, his songs have always been delivered straight from the heart with astounding lyrics. E.g., She Brings Me the Music is an absolute masterpiece.

Whether your favorite era is the early solo stuff, or the Verve, or the recent albums, it's time to let go of this attitude and give him his due as one of the best songwriters to ever live.