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 ... Read review
A review by Elrenia on Intensive Care (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Robbie Williams February 13th, 2006
Author's product rating:
Originality
Lacking inspiration
Lyrics
Dire
Quality and consistency of tracks
One hit and lots of B-sides
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Average
Value for Money
Poor
Advantages:
more "robbie - input", co - writing with Steven Duffy, mise en scène of his voice
Disadvantages:
clichéd lyrics, new tangent tune wise, some overloading, space fillers
Recommend to potential buyers:
no
Full review
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.
"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.
Advantages: Independent and Long Awaited Disadvantages: A Couple of tracks to get used to
...as he has progressed.
Intensive Care has seen Robbie depart from his co-writing rock Guy Chambers in order to collaborate with expert Stephen Duffy, himself a former rock writer and performer. This has resulted in something vastly different, and again added a maturity to Robbie's music. Listening to the album, it is clear there a number of hits awaiting their emergence onto the UK charts. The album doesn't seem as pre-packed as the others, Intensive ... ...both the 80's and 90's. Intensive Care is definitely more up-beat, individual and has a rockier edge than anything Robbie has released for a long time. Hope he carries on because evidently we haven't seen the last of Robbie Williams yet!
Tracklist:
1. Ghosts
2. Tripping
3. Make Me Pure
4. Spread Your Wings
5. Advertising Space
6. Please Don't Die
7. Your Gay Friend
8. Sin Sin Sin
9. Random Acts Of Kindness
10. The Trouble With Me
11. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: lyrics feel more heartfelt Disadvantages: not his ussual stuff (not neccessarily a bad point)
...Robbie Williams is known for, Intensive Care is an album that is packed with a more mature, musically orientated Robbie. Although it has only been two years, Robbie has come a long way from songs such as "Handsome Man" and "Monsoon", gloating about his own lifestyle and looks, and has created wonderfully poignant songs such as "Make Me Pure" and "Advertising Space", the first ballad that can stand proudly next to "Angels", Robbie's most popular song. ... ...not be disappointed. Intensive Care is not only filled with conflicted, emotional ballads, but it is also packed with songs that you will be humming to all day, such as "Spread Your Wings". This is a wonderfully put together album, that once again showcases Robbie's ability to conform to the many musical genres out there. This is definitely an album that you want in your collection. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
How does it compare to ...
Value for Money
helpful
11.01.2006
Intensive Listening A Must Review ofIntensive Care (Parental Advisory) [PA] - Robbie Williamsby
WendyDavis
Advantages: Excellent mix of tracks from the master of music Disadvantages: Absolutely none!
...I opened was Robbie Williams' Intensive Care CD and it is one of 3 that remains in my CD player to this day.
This is the first CD written by Robbie without his previous aide and I can assure you that whilst there is a change in the style the incredible passion and heartfelt lyrics you always expect from Robbie are still there - oh, and there's even a mention or two of a monkey.
Singles galore will come from this album so save yourself some money ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: Extra bonus dvd, plus it has all the song words to sing along with Disadvantages: I can't find any disadvantages with this album
...I would have to say this album is his best one yet, i received this for a christmas present and i have played it over and over, having the words with this does make singing along to this great fun aswell as making you actually listen to them and what each songs means. There are 12 songs on this cd and i think that most off them are great especially "make me pure", "Sin sin sin" and Ghosts, i personally am not all that keen on the last two songs on the albulm "a place to crash" and King of bloke and bird, but that's not to say they are not good songs they are just a bit louder.
I have all of Robbies albulms and this is my favorite.
The DVD is not all that long and has four sections to it contains a video of his pure video aswell as some footage of the man himself.
If you are a true robbie fan then you should diffinately get this...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Album Notes: Personnel: Robbie Williams (vocals, bass guitar, background vocals); Stephen Duffy (guitar, acoustic guitar, autoharp, melodica, keyboards, synthesizer, glockenspiel, percussion); Gary Nuttall (guitar, background vocals); Waddy Wachtel, Neil Taylor, Buddy Judge (guitar); Greg Leisz (electric guitar, 12-string guitar, steel guitar, lap steel guitar, pedal steel guitar, background vocals); Claire Worrall (electric guitar, pedal steel guitar, piano, Wurlitzer piano, Hammond b-3 organ, background vocals); Melvin Duffy (pedal steel guitar); Dave Bishop (saxophone); Steve Sidwell (trumpet); Neil Sidwell (trombone); Jebin Bruni (chamberlin); John Paterno, Jerry Meehan (bass guitar); Matt Chamberlain (drums, percussion); Max Beesley (percussion); Katie Kissoon, Tessa Niles (background vocals). One of the biggest pop stars in his native UK, yet still somewhat obscure in the US, Robbie Williams remains undaunted on 2005's INTENSIVE CARE, an album that amps up the rock side of the singer's pop/rock equation. Wearing his influences as charmingly as his mischievous, seemingly ever-present grin, Williams gleefully indulges in a Bono-esque falsetto on the propulsively rhythmic "Tripping" and nods to Bowie on the buoyant, nostalgic "Spread Your Wings." Like his contemporary Kylie Minogue, Williams revels in a slightly sophisticated aesthetic that Americans seem hesitant to fully embrace, but the undeniably catchy tunes on INTENSIVE CARE may finally turn heads in the States and succeed in making Williams a truly international star.
Album Reviews: Mojo (p.112) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[T]here are softer, subtler electronic textures and a real sense of reflection....Out of the blustering powerpop, there's a beating heart steadily emerging."
Titles on disc 1
1.: Ghosts
2.: Tripping
3.: Make Me Pure
4.: Spread Your Wings
5.: Advertising Space
6.: Please Don't Die
7.: Your Gay Friend
8.: Sin Sin Sin
9.: Random Acts Of Kindness
10.: Trouble With Me
11.: Place To Crash
12.: King Of Bloke And Bird
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Listed on Ciao since : 22/11/2005
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