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Product Description
Review
Reality Killed the Video Star marks Robbie Williams’ overdue return to the pop world, exuding a coolness and consistency absent on 2006’s Rudebox. It finds him working alongside producer Trevor Horn, whose catalogue of hits is substantial enough to turn even a sometime egocentric like Williams green with envy. And the pairing largely works well, with Reality… featuring a wealth of strong, single-worthy tracks.
The first song to be released as a single, Bodies, isn’t the most immediate number on this 13-track affair, but acts as a valuable bridge between the swagger-and-strut front of Rudebox and the introverted, understated highlights to be found here. A strange brew of string flourishes, rumbling low end, oriental undertones and even an Enigma-style break into Gregorian territory, Bodies is superb on radio, sitting between so many sound-alike offerings, but seems a little bloated here. Nevertheless, it’s very much that wonderful cliché: a return to form.
Last Days of Disco is a track that clicks on the very first listen – reminiscent of Eurhythmics and featuring the inevitable line “don’t call it a comeback”, it’s a far better tribute to the synth sounds of the 1980s than anything from the hot-right-now La Roux. This is partly down to Horn’s involvement – he produced much of his best-loved fare during the decade, and worked with the similarly styled Pet Shop Boys in 2006 – but Williams’ half-whispered vocals suit the icy beats superbly. It’s not as recognisably Robbie as Bodies, but there’s no doubt it’s a far superior song.
Deceptacon – unlikely to ever be confused with the Le Tigre song of the same name given its slow-motion build and luscious orchestral peak – Blasphemy and Superblind are skilfully arranged tracks which find Williams in his comfort zone vocally, the music around him instead given license to soar. And it’s this balance between the star of the show and the necessary material he’s at the centre of that makes Reality… his finest album since I’ve Been Expecting You. It’s got its share of hits in waiting, but the flow of the record is excellent when heard as a whole.
It’s not without its faults – Williams’ lyricism still leaves much to be desired, especially on Won’t Do That – but Reality… is a record its makers can be very proud of indeed. The ego has landed, again, but he’s a lot more endearing this time around. --Mike Diver
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Product Description
titolo-reality killed the video starartista-robbie williams etichetta-virginn. dischi1data-6 novembre 2009supporto-cd audiogenere-pop e rock internazionale----brani1.morning sunascolta2.bodiesascolta3.you know meascolta4.blasphemyascolta5.do you mindascolta6.last days of discoascolta7.somewhereascolta8.deceptaconascolta9.starstruckascolta10.difficult for weirdosascolta11.superblindascolta12.won't do thatascolta13.morning sun repri
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
53 of 59 people found the following review helpful
A return to form for Robbie and recommended listening if you are a fan of well produced "pop" music!
29 Oct 2009
Format:Audio CD
To start off with, I am not a huge Robbie fan, so this is an unbiased review. Secondly, I felt I had to post my comments to counter the negative remarks that have been made by other "reviewers" who have yet to hear the album! I've had access to a preview copy of the new CD and have to say that I really like it, in fact I can't stop playing it at the moment! In my opinion this marks a return to form for Robbie, more in line with his older material (Angels, Feel, Millennium, etc.). The main difference between this new CD and his older works would be the fact that he had dropped the cheesy "cheeky boy" act and seems to be taking a much more mature approach to his music.
The album leans more towards reflective ballads and gentle pop with about 3 upbeat tracks in between but nothing as high energy as "Let Me Entertain You" or "Rock DJ". Don't get me wrong, tracks like "Do You Mind", "Difficult for Weirdos" will still get you bopping around in the kitchen and are great fun but this is a more mature sound which shows that Robbie is growing along with his audience and he really gives us something that we can connect with. Trevor Horn's production is excellent, delivering a very rich layered sound with plenty of orchestration. The two tracks with a more "electronic" sound, ("Last Days of Disco" and "Difficult For Weirdos") would easily fit on to any Pet Shop Boys album but work equally well on this CD. I love the track "Bodies" and there are loads more stand out tracks on the album that will no doubt be future singles, such as "Morning Sun" and "Decepticon", both of which are excellent.
Definitely worth a listen whether you are a Robbie fan or not and highly recommended if you are a fan of well produced pop music.
The album leans more towards reflective ballads and gentle pop with about 3 upbeat tracks in between but nothing as high energy as "Let Me Entertain You" or "Rock DJ". Don't get me wrong, tracks like "Do You Mind", "Difficult for Weirdos" will still get you bopping around in the kitchen and are great fun but this is a more mature sound which shows that Robbie is growing along with his audience and he really gives us something that we can connect with. Trevor Horn's production is excellent, delivering a very rich layered sound with plenty of orchestration. The two tracks with a more "electronic" sound, ("Last Days of Disco" and "Difficult For Weirdos") would easily fit on to any Pet Shop Boys album but work equally well on this CD. I love the track "Bodies" and there are loads more stand out tracks on the album that will no doubt be future singles, such as "Morning Sun" and "Decepticon", both of which are excellent.
Definitely worth a listen whether you are a Robbie fan or not and highly recommended if you are a fan of well produced pop music.
31 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Normally I have no time for reviews written before the release of an album. But I've just listened to a number of the new tracks from this album on a live radio broadcast and they were absolutely incredible. I've gone from 'I might buy it but I don't know' to 'Give me this album NOW!' If you were wavering rest assured the boy is back with avengance.
Two weeks on and track by track:
Morning Sun - beautiful opener and the lyrics make a lot of sense when you know it was written following the death of Michael Jackson
Bodies - sorry Rob but I wasn't convinced it was even a grower. However, it sits a lot more comfortably in the context of the album and I really like it now.
You Know Me - good sing along but not the best choice of single (IMHO)
Blasphemy - gripped me totally on the Electric Proms broadcast and is still beautiful 100 plays later
Do You Mind - fun - I love the performance on this. For dancing round the kitchen
Last Days of Disco - Never got the Pet Shop Boys thing but this is gradually getting to me
Somewhere - Cute vignette (is that how you spell it?)
Deceptacon - To plagerise a newspaper reviewer this is a 'Languid sigh' of a song and now my favourite Robbie ever. Just gorgeous (and to those critical of the lyrics think on "I am the walrus coocoocachoo..........")
Starstruck - Yes! yes! and yes again! Should have been the second single.
Difficult for Weirdoes - See Last Days of Disco
Superblind - Didn't even notice it first play through but now think it's stunning. Rob at his falsetto best.
Won't Do That - a bit cheesy but if he wrote it for me I wouldn't mind one bit (Ayda's a lucky lady!)
On a final note - the production is excellent. Lovely orchestrations but not over done to the point that all the soul is missing. Buy it? Certainly. Welcome back, Rob.
Two weeks on and track by track:
Morning Sun - beautiful opener and the lyrics make a lot of sense when you know it was written following the death of Michael Jackson
Bodies - sorry Rob but I wasn't convinced it was even a grower. However, it sits a lot more comfortably in the context of the album and I really like it now.
You Know Me - good sing along but not the best choice of single (IMHO)
Blasphemy - gripped me totally on the Electric Proms broadcast and is still beautiful 100 plays later
Do You Mind - fun - I love the performance on this. For dancing round the kitchen
Last Days of Disco - Never got the Pet Shop Boys thing but this is gradually getting to me
Somewhere - Cute vignette (is that how you spell it?)
Deceptacon - To plagerise a newspaper reviewer this is a 'Languid sigh' of a song and now my favourite Robbie ever. Just gorgeous (and to those critical of the lyrics think on "I am the walrus coocoocachoo..........")
Starstruck - Yes! yes! and yes again! Should have been the second single.
Difficult for Weirdoes - See Last Days of Disco
Superblind - Didn't even notice it first play through but now think it's stunning. Rob at his falsetto best.
Won't Do That - a bit cheesy but if he wrote it for me I wouldn't mind one bit (Ayda's a lucky lady!)
On a final note - the production is excellent. Lovely orchestrations but not over done to the point that all the soul is missing. Buy it? Certainly. Welcome back, Rob.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having just heard the new Cd on the first liten i have to say robbie is Back! the sound is a more mature , the songs are well crafted production is great and bombastic. tracks like Blasphemy ,last days of disco and differcult for weirdose really stand out on first listen
this cd is a real grower and will be on cds players for a long time
this cd is a real grower and will be on cds players for a long time
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Incredible value for probably most complete album
Some of Robbie's albums previous felt dialed in with a mix of great songs and ones that you felt were just thrown in there. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Christian
Robbie - Reality
CD arrived well before the delivery date, and arrived in excellent condition. It is an excellent CD and I enjoy the music. This is an excellent CD and well worth buying. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Mr. AJ Marshall
HIS BEST ALBUM BY A MILE
KEEP LISTENING CAUSE THIS IS A STUNNING ALBUM NOT ONE BAD RECORD AND 4-5 STUNNERS INCLUDING DIFFICULT FOR WEIRDOS,MORNING SUN AND YOU KNOW ME....FANTASTIC
Published 18 months ago by michobid
Great CD
Fabulous CD, such great songs so well sung what a great deal. Very highly reccommended.
Published 22 months ago by P E Simms
Robbie Williams - Reality Killed the Video Star
I still think some of his older material is better although having said that after a few plays there are some very good and catchy tracks on this album. Read more
Published 24 months ago by L. Horton
Fantastic
I am not and never have been a Robbie Williams fan infact he used to make me cringe -
HOWEVER - I have changed my mind about him - his voice is just the sexiest !!! Read more
HOWEVER - I have changed my mind about him - his voice is just the sexiest !!! Read more
Published on 26 May 2010 by Susan Margharita
Robbie on his way back up!
Always used to rush out and buy Robbie CD's as soon as they were released but he took a wrong direction somewhere along the way with the likes of 'Rude Box' and his last CD! Read more
Published on 22 May 2010 by Dizzy
FANFLIPPINGTASTIC
Hi
This album is brilliant. Every song is great. I love it and can't stop playing it...BUY IT if you haven't already....Well done Robbie xxxx
This album is brilliant. Every song is great. I love it and can't stop playing it...BUY IT if you haven't already....Well done Robbie xxxx
Published on 5 May 2010 by M. Deborah Crothers
Reality Killed the Radio Star
Great CD, have all of his albums, this has to be one of his best. Easy to listen to, even just to have on as background. Great for the car!
Published on 30 April 2010 by Sam
Robbie returns
Glad to hear Robbie singing the style of songs we know and love him for. Welcome back the Robster.
Published on 29 April 2010 by G. Perfect
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