Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
|
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Unquestionably the ballads reign supreme--the heavier rock numbers are large and impressively produced with a cheesy touch of soul, filled with brash horns and pub-rock arrangements in what feels like an attempt to follow Oasis but ends up being more like Toploader.
Robbie's lyrical content is still very personal and much of it harps on about what a hard time he has being a pop star ("How Peculiar" and "Something Beautiful"). To fit his new mature style, there is less self parody, although his sense of humour and wry observations do shine though on "Handsome Man" and the catchy but silly "Me & My Monkey". Last but not least, the first track written entirely by Robbie himself, "Nan's Song" is a simple and moving tribute to his late grandmother. Although by far not the best on the album, Robbie will probably take comfort in that, firstly, it's good enough to be on the album and, secondly, it's better than Liam Gallagher's first effort. --David Trueman
Review
As if to hammer the point home, Robbie's return to the limelight after a years break "Feel"is one of his greatest singles ever. Just as "Angels" starts to lose its magic as the ultimate lighter in the air, tear in the eye moment at any Robbie performance, he comes up with another majestic blinder.
With "Feel" so early in the album, it's easy to lose momentum initially with the remaining tracks, but given a few listens Escapology reveals all the dark emotion, showmanship and tongue-in-cheek arrogance that gives Robbie his charm. The Guy Chambers song writing partnership has once again delivered the goods, maturing Robbie's style confidently with a new found rawness and live feel.
It may be raw, but Robbie certainly hasn't lost his accessibility. "Monsoon" nods acknowledging to Queen, all strutting guitars and Freddie vocals and "Handsome Man" is perhaps a final homage to his own self parody. All the wry humour and ego is still there, but with lyrics like, "I'm going to milk it 'til it turns to cheese" and enough stadium rock to get any crowd bouncing, it can't help but raise a smile.
"Come Undone", surely a future single release is another highlight, as is "Me and My Monkey", with its trumpets, Spanish guitar and daft lyrics. The surprise of the album though is Robbie's first solo writing credit. "Nan's Song" is a beautiful strings and acoustic guitar song number and a fitting conclusion to his best album yet.
Cynics may scorn at Robbie; he's got it all and he isn't afraid to acknowledge it. The thing to remember though is that we should forgive him, because he's Robbie and he's great.
Like This? Try These:
Will Young - From Now On
Natalie Imbruglia - White Lilies Island --Jacqueline Hodges
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Escapology, then, is his first coming of age album, from mild (but brilliant) pop to serious soft rock...but labels are misleading. This is still very much Robbie, even if some songs are a little misguided (the apparently deliberate non-commercial nature of opener 'How Peculiar' for example).
'Love Somebody' and 'Monsoon' are a relatively new era in RW history, bringing much more of his beloved rock sound into the scheme of things. Much of the album, for me, has the reminiscence of Chris Cornell's first solo effort Euphoria Morning, especially in the catchy 'Something Beautiful'.
The experimenting with different genres and sounds is typical of an album such as this which is more of a statement of freedom than a true attempt at art. It makes the prospect of the next Robbie Williams album all the more exciting. Whether you love or hate this album, one must commend Mr. Williams for having the strength to do something not everyone will like, and may even alienate his audience a little. That said, it is well worth a listen; a few rotations will have you humming along in no time.
Like other reviewers I too was critical of his early work but have since been won over by his undisputed talent and spellbinding live... Read more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
