Rediscovering Ciao so than you for the welcome back, now I'm here to stay xx
Rediscovering Ciao so than you for the welcome back, now I'm here to stay xx
Member since:10.09.2004
Reviews:59
Members who trust:9
Having always been a fan or Mr Williams, it's been interetsing to see the once proclaimed hell-raiser mature into well..a serious and individual artist.
Robbie Williams has always been one to push the boundaries as far as his music is concerned, and frankly not much of his material really ever sounds the same as the previous album. Like a chameleon, his music is ever colourful and ever developing and it seems he has reached a point in his career were his lyrics have become more in-depth and meaningful 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 Care has been well thought out and carefully aligned so that each track compliments but does not overshadow the next. Each track can be readily described as individual, and you will definitely find that no two really sound the same!
"Tripping" was the first hit that drew me towards finding out what else was on the album. Although up-beat, it had something reminiscent and balladesque about it. Couple that with the later arrival of the ballad Advertising Space and you definitely had something noticeable to intrigue people all the more.
For those that haven't heard Advertising Space, it's a rather catchy and melancholy ballad, with an intriguing guitar riff introduction. The lyrics are rather intriguing as well especially again the introduction "there's no earthly way of knowing, what was in your heart when it stopped going" is almost as if he's relating the song to someone who has passed on. But then there is mention of Marlon Brando passing away in the present tense so it's hard to gauge who the song relates to exactly. I am rather curious, and as with many of Robbie Williams' songs, the lyrics are either self-explanatory or more in depth. Haven't found out what it's about yet but if anyone else knows I'd be interested to hear!
An unreleased track from the album that also seems to stand out is Make Me Pure, a country/folk-esque track that defines itself exactly as you hear it. I heard it the first time and didnt think much of it until I actually listened the second time around and it really grew on me. Really because I didn't have the expectation that Robbie would involve a country ballad with the kind of vocals he has on this particular track, but the whole fusion brings out something original and catchy!
Sin Sin Sin has an introduction that reminds of you of something from the Pet Shop Boys or Erasure, that 80's kind of keyboard beat? It then involves into a rather up-beat happy-clappy tune with meaningful lyrics that has the hallmarks of becoming the next chart single....
Ghosts is one of those ego songs, that we've come to associate with Robbie Williams. "Here I stand victorious, when you cried, you cried for us, did what I could for one of us". Not dissimilar to some of his early material where the cocky attitude played huge part in his on-stage act. The beginning of this song would be the kind of thing you could imagine him playing up to on the mic, but as the song evolves it does become quite a reminiscent/break up song maybe? Can imagine people relating to it in some way!
Without detailing every track on the album, it is fair to say that Robbie has exceeded himself considering he is no longer in collaboration with Guy Chambers. The change in tone and harmonies is very evident, and more emphasis given on rock influences from 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. A Place To Crash 12. King Of Bloke And Bird
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I really like his sound, style and... everything :o)
eddybennet 08.01.2006 10:59
I heard both Trippin' and Advertsing Space on the radio, and must admit I wasn't fond of either of them. However, having now listened to the album I find them much more palatable once they're in the order with his other songs. Still nothing has a patch on Let ME Entertain You Though - sorry!
scampi1 05.01.2006 23:46
Is his new song writing partner the same Stephen 'Tin Tin' Duffy who had a 1985 hit with "Kiss me with your mouth" ? Personally I like the album, especially 'Tripping'.
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
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
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Jan 4th, 2006
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