So here it is then. Robbie Williams' third album. Both '97's 'Life Thru A Lens' and '98's 'I've Been Expecting You' reached Number One. And no doubt 'Sing When You're Winning' will too. But is it any good?
Well, sort of. Robbie thanks co-writer Guy Chambers on the sleevenotes, saying that Chambers is "as much Robbie As I am." And after listening to 'Winning' a few times you have to agree and ask yourself where Mr Williams would be without Mr Chambers. Or indeed, vice versa.
That said, for all Mr Chambers' and Williams' songwriting aplomb, there's nowt here to match the glory of 'Old Before I Die', 'Angels', 'Let Me Entertain You' or 'Millennium'. And recent single 'Rock DJ' -the one with the cannibalistic video- though largely the catchiest thing on 'Winning', isn't up to Robbie's usual high pop standards.
And while there are a few glorious moments on the new album, after four or five listens it does still tend to wash inoffensively over you. In fact, if Mr Williams wasn't such a cheeky, lovable chap and a huge pop character, the majority of listeners would reach for the eject button after two or three songs. Indeed sometimes you are left thinking, 'if this was anyone other than Robbie, would I be paying this much attention?'
The sleeve artwork meanwhile (we're not allowed to show you any until Monday August 28) shows the man in various footballing related poses - he's every character in every picture. The puzzling thing is though, why a Portvale supporter should have his photos taken at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground. Putting all this aside, here's a track-by-track of the new album.
'Let Love Be Your Energy' - A rocky anthem with oodles of power chords, nods to The Beatles and Oasis and a soaraway chorus. Postive lyrics and a fanfare-like, trumpet-powered crescendo. A tad formulaic but OK.
'Better Man' - A pared-down power ballad with subtle strings which finds our Robbie vulnerable and unsure and in need of a little love and reassurance. A poor man's 'Angels'.
'Rock DJ' - We all know this chart-topper. That annoying rapped bit which sounds like the opening theme to Seventies sitcom Are You Being Served (third floor haberdashery, gents ready-made suits, going up! or something similar) gives way to a pumping disco beat, kind of Frankie's 'Relax' meets Daft Punk. Again with an impossibly catchy chorus. Gibberish lyrics though.
'Supreme' - Nicks heavily from Gloria Gaynor's Seventies disco hit 'I Will Survive'. Even uses the complete swirling, string-swathed middle bit. This ode to losing your looks, loneliness and not finding love in the modern world also comes complete with a cringeworthy rapped bit.
'Kids' - Robbie's duet with Kylie Minogue. And one of the album's highlights. A low-slung funky groove in much the same vein as George Michael, with a rocky, windswept, triumphant chorus complete with fuzz bass guitar. The only song to successfully rhyme sodomy, monogamy, Billy Connolly and ornithology. If you know of another please let us know.
'If It's Hurting You' - Gorgeous, Neil Young-style country rock ballad. Very subtle, very soulful.
'Singing For The Lonely' - Pleasant enough though instantly forgettable jangly guitar breeze. Contains the line "I seem to spend my life just waiting for the chorus." which largely sums up the whole album.
'Love Calling Earth' - Soppy balladeering, again with a touch of the George Michaels about it.
'Knutsford City Limits' - Fine title for a song. But that's as far as it goes for this mid-paced rock number.
'Forever Texas' - Rocky ZZ Top-meets-Oasis style stomper with raunchy lyrics and the line "Everybody's getting cash for the bung, Everybody wants to know how I'm hung, You can read it in the papers, I'm a giver not a taker."
'By All Means Necessary' - MOR song about groupies - "You won't be dating a teacher, You'd rather shag a Manic Street Preacher."
'The Road To Mandaly' - Gently acoustic opening which gives way to an upbeat jolly outburst every now and again. Robbie, as with a lot of the album's lyrics seems to be leaving himself open and bare - "Everything I touched was golden, Everything I loved got broken". A lacklustre album closer.
