- Label
- Virgin
- Release date
- 9th November 2009
- Genre
- Pop
- Buy this album
- Order CD
Stoke on Trent’s favourite egotist returns to form.
Depending where your sympathies lie Robbie Williams is either a washed up rehab bore or a returning legend. Judging by some of the lyrics on this comeback album he’s uncertain himself: “message to the troubadour, the world don’t love you any more” he sings on the opening Morning Sun.
Regardless of how you judge him there’s no denying that this is very good Robbie album – and quite possibly his best. It’s all very strategic, masterfully mixing the tried and trusted ballads (here complimented by some stunning, if occasionally overblown, arrangements), some cheeky chappy punning and in tune with the current pop vogue some 80s inspired electro.
Of the three it’s those big ballads that are most successful - the fabulous Morning Sun, the haunting Deceptacon and swooning 50s weepy You Know Me all benefit from strings straight from the old-old school. It doesn’t all work Blasphemy (written nearly a decade ago with Guy Chambers) is a hackneyed mix of painful puns and Bodies is a stitched together mess of song but even the worst moments are better than anything on Rudebox.
Like his former Take That pals Robbie has grown up but the slightly bonkers Difficult For Weirdos suggest he’s not quite ready for the M&S fleece just yet.
It’s good to have him back.
More to try:
Mika: The Boy Who Knew Too Much
Will Young: Hits
Elton John: Reg Strikes Back
Tokio Hotel: Humanoid
