Take The Crown

Robbie Williams. What can i say, in recent years he's become something of an institution. The last few years he's kind of flittered, and not been his usual self. But this time, he's come back with something superb. 'Take The Crown' is sure to become a British classic. An amazing effort. Here is my thoughts:BE A BOY: The album opens with a strong stadium anthem, taking elements of rock and pop and blending them together in a fusion so catchy it could set itself on fire. This should definitely be a single. (5/5) GOSPEL: Robbie vocalises his time as a youngster in the 1970s and the perception of the past in the present, in another up-tempo stadium stomper. Another strong track that ends with a typical Robbie euphamism, that you can probably guess without me even having to say. (5/5) CANDY: The lead single is something totally different to the rest of the record, but is a snippet of light in otherwise dark times. This uptempo number, co-written by Gary Barlow, sounds like something more reminiscent of his last album - but works well within this one. (5/5) DIFFERENT: If i could rate this one higher than five then i would, because it is totally amazing. Think early Robbie - with a modern twist. This anthem for the modern times, another Gary Barlow penned number, has worldwide smash written all over it. (5/5) ON THE RADIO: Robbie rediscovers the time that his relations with a girl were ruined by the awful drivel on his car radio. And i 100% agree with him. It's something that will never end up on radio - but is a statement to all of those awful radio DJs out there. (5/5) ALL THAT I WANT: Quietly tucked away between two perhaps slightly stronger tracks, is this darker yet fierce number that sounds reminiscent of Robbie's "Escapology" days. It's a good track, but it is slightly overshowed by the other songs on the album. (4/5)HUNTING FOR YOU: This powerful guitar-led number shows a softer side to Robbie that perhaps we haven't seen much of before. It's strong instrumental feel makes it stand out from the crowd. Robbie should release something like this a single to prove his awesome versality, that is perhaps otherwise hidden on an album. (5/5) INTO THE SILENCE: Another guitar-led number, which blends some wonderful acoustical elements into an otherwise powerful number. As strong as 'Hunting For You', and as memorable as 'Candy', make this another stand out piece. (5/5) HEY WOW YEAH YEAH: The only track written with Escapology co-writer Boots Ottesad proves to be the album's worst. It begins to come into it's own towards the end, but it starts off on the wrong foot. Personally, this one isn't for me. (2.5/5) NOT LIKE THE OTHERS: Robbie proves his flare for writing stadium anthems with another powerful, stadium feel anthem. This and 'Be A Boy' would make a perfect encore piece for one of Robbie's future tours. (5/5) LOSERS FT. LISSIE: Robbie proves his vocal range in a wonderful acoustic duet with American singer Lissie, detailing how we all, at one point in our lives, have a moment of madness. A versatile number that keeps the album fresh. (5/5) REVERSE: How could this be a deluxe edition only track? It's amazing. Pianos, guitars and saxophones all make up this musically led masterpiece with a blend of fine powerful vocals in the mix. (5/5) EIGHT LETTERS: Robbie's original version of the Take That classic. Robbie proves he can do things just as well as Gary, and takes an electronic number and makes into a piano-led acoustic masterpiece. Just as good as the Take That version. (5/5)So all in all, an album that will go down in history as one of Robbie's finest. I wasn't really very keen on "Hey Wow Yeah Yeah", but in time it may grow on me. Give it a try though - everyone has a different opinion. I think one thing we should all agree on, however, is that this album is truly great.

Hit play, sit back, and get taken on a journey through classic Robbie Williams back to his absolute best. Yes, 'Candy' may come across with a 'novelty' feel to it but it's a fine line between 'novelty' and 'catchy' and this track is ultimately catchy. No such potential confusion with the rest of the album however where the winning Roobie formula of great lyrics and anthemic tunes keep you listening over and over again. 'Different', 'Hunting for You', 'Into the Silence' are all crackers with the feel of early Robbie and it's great to hear an alubm where the second half stands up to the first. Brilliant stuff - gutted that I didn't manage to get tickets to see the man live!

He may have let others hold the crown for a while, but it's still his. As far as male pop stars go, it doesn't get much bigger or talented than Robbie Williams. He knows how to create a good pop album, and that's just what he's done again.It is different to his last offering, 2009's Reality Killed The Video Star, which itself was also a great album. This time, Robbie focuses a lot on more uptempo material. There are hardly any real, slow ballads on this (only about 2), yet at the same time, most of the songs have a lot of heart. A lot of this album sounds like it has influences of U2 with a pinch of Coldplay and even a tiny bit of Keane. I begins with "Be A Boy", which is a great opener. This could have been the first single in my opinion (it's certainly much better than "Candy"). This is the kind of song that will have stadiums singing along with him. The only thing I dislike about this track is the saxophone (seriously, who uses a sax in 2012?) (10/10)Next up is "Gospel" which is another big song. It starts off modestly but morphs into being very anthemic towards the end. I do feel that the swear words at the end kind of ruin the song a bit as they seems unnecessary, but otherwise this song is pretty good (8.5/10). "Candy" is up next, which (somehow) was the first single. This isn't a horrible song, but to me, it is very mediocre, and I can't believe it was chosen as the lead single to represent the album. It sticks out like a sore thumb on the album, as it doesn't sounds like any of the other songs. I could do with or without it (5/10)."Different" is THE track on this album. This will be the second single in December. It's easily the best track on the album and probably Robbie's best single since his Escapology days. This has the potential to be a big hit and the potential to join other classics like "Angels", "Come Undone", "Feel" and "Millennium". It's a well, written uptempo ballad. Gorgeous (10/10).The next 2 songs are both uptempo dance/rock songs. "S*** On The Radio" is a feel-good song, in the vein of "A Place To Crash" from 2005's Intensive Care album, but more care-free with 80's influences (8/10). "All That I Want" follows, which I love because it has a dance/pop beat but it's still has guitars (8.5/10). Both of these songs are very catchy. Track 7 is "Hunting For You", which is lovely. A little more downtempo than the previous tracks, but not by much. (8.5/10)."Into The Silence" is the second best song after "Different". This one could (and should) be an upcoming single, in my opinion. The lyrics are amazing. "when karma reaches you I want to be there just in case it needs help." They sound really angry on paper, but in the context of the song, they are heartbreaking. A lot of U2 influence on this one (10/10).A lot of people will consider "Hey Wow Yeah Yeah" as the filler track. Certainly, it seems more like b side material, but I actually don't mind it. The lyrics are not very deep, but they're not supposed to be (6.5/10). "Not Like the Others" is another great uptempo rock track. It's a good, catchy song, but there are so many other greater songs on the album that overshadow it a bit (7.5/10)."Losers". This is the one track I just really don't care too much for. I know Robbie loves it, and a lot of other fans love it, but to me his vocals are too screechy at times. Not too crazy about the lyrics either. I didn't even know this was a cover song, but I guess it makes sense. (4/10)The deluxe edition contains 2 bonus tracks: "Reverse", which reminds me of Keane, and "Eight Letters". "Reverse" is another big, uptempo ballad in the vein of "Different" (but not as amazing). Its serves well as a bonus track. (8/10) "Eight Letters" is a nice song, but this version needs a little more polishing up, especially Robbie's vocals. Sounds a little too rough around the edges (it may be a demo version, but I'm not sure. Plus, it's just a pinch too sappy for me (7.5/10)Overall, I'm very pleased with this album. I give the entire album and 8/10, which is well above average. I hope Robbie keeps churning out songs and doesn't wait too long until his next album.

Maybe Take The Crown is his best album since Escapology and a lot songs there are really fit to perform at the big venues.Into The Silence is the best song of album.Hunting For You and Be a Boy are have a great potential to be hits while Different and Gospel have great lyrics and beautiful melody and they both are good choice to be singles.Candy and S**t On The Radio are fun catchy songs, maybe not so very interesting. In other hand you can find Losers with fair vocal and private lyrics for Robbie and 90's style Not Like The Others what will be smash on Tour...Well done Mr Williams. Welcome back.

I did buy the original Take The Crown and the only difference I could find was the picture on the front cover all the songs were the same. I was very disappointed. I think it might have been nice if they had stated this as this cd cost more than the original I had brought and now have 2 cd's the same.