Intensive Care (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Robbie Williams

No other album was so much awaited like Robbie's. Although not counting myself to be one of Robbie's huge fans, I got convinced by annoying friends and the general euphoric atmosphere to give his sixth album a chance…

When I finally held it in my hands, I had a serious looking Robbie pointing at me as if to say "listen to me, take me now".

I expected to find love songs, some rocking and the typical Robbie ...
...First thing Robbie decides to sing is "here I stand victorious" from the song "ghost". Well, 53 minutes after, I am disappointed. I simply want to throw the album out of my window.

Where have all the love songs, the heart tearing tunes and the bombastic rock songs gone?
I decide to give the album a second chance, then a third. And a fourth. In the hopes it would grow on me.

Surely his new ... more

No other album was so much awaited like Robbie's. Although not counting myself to be one of Robbie's huge fans, I got convinced by annoying friends and the general euphoric atmosphere to give his sixth album a chance…

When I finally held it in my hands, I had a serious looking Robbie pointing at me as if to say "listen to me, take me now".

I expected to find love songs, some rocking and the typical Robbie sound: erotic and with a hell lot of a feeling. First thing Robbie decides to sing is "here I stand victorious" from the song "ghost". Well, 53 minutes after, I am disappointed. I simply want to throw the album out of my window.

Where have all the love songs, the heart tearing tunes and the bombastic rock songs gone?
I decide to give the album a second chance, then a third. And a fourth. In the hopes it would grow on me.

Surely his new style as shown in "Tripping" have surprised many fans. Robbie Williams and tunes sounding like Reggae do not seem to go together very well. However, it has to be said that they were very well combined, although they need some serious growing onto.

I quickly notice that most of the songs try to enhance his voice, hence his is hardly backed up by choirs and the melodies are kept low. Nevertheless, I do not find any ballads that can live up to his superhits "Angel" or "Eternity". Thanks to the song "spread your wings", the CD is not a complete downfall, which is mainly due to harmonic melodies.

One thing that was very dislikeable about his new co-writing with Stephen Duffy were definitely the lyrics. Once again, Mr Williams relies on the clichéd " I am so sad, I have so many problems oh please someone fall in love with me and save me". Conclusion: The lyrics are known by heart after listening a few times to the songs and the songs quickly forgotten again. May it be because Robbie feared to lose too many of his fans by going onto a completely new tangent and hence stuck to the old working strategy…or because he simply couldn't think of anything new.

Personally, I am not convinced at all by his sixth album. Clichéd lyrics tried to be freshened up by new sounding tunes but in the end it is still the same old boring stuff.

Mr Williams certainly does not stand victorious with me; I would rather say he tripped.

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The songs:

Ghosts --- 2/5

"Here I stand victorious!"

"Ghosts" starts with a very strong exclamation, which Robbie unfortunately cannot live up to. His voice dominates the song from the beginning, as there is hardly any instrumental interference.
The chorus is completely out of line as there is too much "backing up" and the whole thing just sounds overloaded. Less would have been more I'd say.

Tripping --- 3.5/5

At first listening, the song sounds quite absurd. Sporadic reggae-beginnings and a singer trying to sing in a much higher tune than his vocal cords allow him to…the bridge is very weak as well…still it was the first released song…definitely the most interesting song from the whole CD.

Make me pure --- 3.5/5

The first ballad on the album. Slow, calm and melancholic. But still the ultimate kick, the ultimate "thing" is missing. I desperately waited for the explosion of the song but "make me pure" starts as calm as it ends. Shame.

Spread your wings --- 4.5/5

Probably the highlight. Robbie starts talking himself into the song to then sing a good chorus that sticks to your mind for the rest of the day. Wish the other songs would have been as good.

Advertising Space --- 4.5/5

Right after "Spread your wings"; the slow down starts once again. A very very calm song, which tries to sneak into the audiences' heart through critical lyrics and a catchy chorus. Not bad at all.

Please don't die --- 1/5

'Seems to sound exactly like "Advertising space", just to economic version. The chorus is well done but cannot cover the fact that the song is simply below average.

Your gay friend --- 2.5/5

Quite alright. Nice. Way too nice. If I were mean I could say boring. Or unnecessary.

Sin Sin Sin --- 4/5

Good 80s tune. The co-writing from Steven Duffy cannot be denied from this stage on anymore, as it becomes very obvious in the song. Not one of his best songs, but certainly one of the best from the album. Good pop song to be played on the radio.

Random Acts of Kindness --- 2.5/5

With this song I get the feeling I heard it before somewhere else. And a much better version of it. Typical pop production. Could have been left out.

The Trouble With Me --- 4/5

And it's getting better again. Main concentration on Robbie's voice, instrumental and choir interference is kept low, but it will never reach the level of "Feel". Still good though.

A Place To Crash --- 3/5

Nice guitar pop but it becomes obvious it was used to "fill up" the CD.

King Of Bloke And Bird --- 3,5/5

Good choice for ending the album. Calm and melancholic, a song to close your eyes to and to dream. Very good choice indeed.  

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