Yahoo! Music Album Review

Released on 01/12/08
Label: Polydor

Gary Barlow probably can't believe his luck. For years he's been ridiculed as the fat, unpopular one from Take That, while his nemesis Robbie Williams has been showered with fame and glory, and all this in spite of having a voice resembling a mockney Dick Van Dyke in "Mary Poppins". But, oh, how the tables have turned. As Barlow and chums continue to enjoy the transition from boyband prancers in tight leathers, to man band with blissful harmonies, Williams has opted to hunt down UFOs in the Mojave Desert.

That's not to say that it couldn't have ended very badly for Take That after their decision to reform in 2005 following 10 years of inactivity. The staunch refusal of Robbie Williams - arguably the most popular, definitely the most successful member of the Mancunian boyband - to rejoin the pop group responsible for making him a household name, could have rendered Barlow's plans a complete failure. And yet, several sell-out tours later, cameo appearances in Marks & Spencer commercials and two albums in, Take That mark II has been successful beyond anyone's comprehension.

"The Circus" has pretty much got everything you'd expect from a Take That album; a weepy number ("Said It All"), the one aimed at inspiring you ("Julie"), the one that's romantic and lovelorn ("What Is Love") and the one that will enter the Top 10 ("Greatest Day"). As with its predecessor "Beautiful World", "The Circus" possesses well crafted pop songs, with faultless production. There are certainly moments when Barlow comes into his own as a songwriter. The aforementioned "Greatest Day" is a phenomenal pop ballad, with saccharine harmonies. Similarly, the bombast closing track "Here", with an exquisite string section reminiscent of The Verve's "History", confirms that the quartet have moved into mature pop territory.

But there are moments when the group can't help slipping back into old habits. The Jason Orange-penned "How Did It Come To This", supposedly inspired by the debauched behaviour of Amy Winehouse, possesses the cringe-worthy lyric: "Just the other day somebody said to me, 'Hey maybe you're slightly schizophrenic and a little out of reach my friend'". Meanwhile, you can't helped but be embarrassed on Mark Owen's behalf as he sings about falling house prices. So unless you're an original fan, approaching the change or gay as a goose, there's little to get excited about. But then, it's not really about excitement any more at their age, is it?

    by Ash Dosanjh