Pros: Some incredible songs, fantastic energy, memorable melodies...
Cons: A few less memorable offerings...
The Bottom Line: If you like pop music, but would prefer to not listen to what your friends like it's time for Robbie Williams to take control of your life.
lambchops's Full Review: Sing When You're Winning [ECD] - Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams makes me feel like a big ol’ geek of a music lover. He is unabashedly pop--in much the same way as the American variety of pop. The major difference however is that Williams doesn’t take himself seriously--he’s a veritable clown, content to sound great but look like a goofball. That’s what I like about him. Pop is not by and large a serious genre, so he’s got it right.
Despite his boyishly handsome good looks, his maddeningly gorgeous voice and keen writing that make him an anomaly in pop. Williams a true talent, yet strangely enough Americans know little of him or his music. To put him in perspective, Mr. Williams was the “rebellious” member of uber-popular early 1990’s British boy-group Take That. After the band sold millions, toured the world, and effectively dissolved up he struck out on his own into what quickly became a successful solo career.
Williams has to date released four albums of new material in addition to a compilation, remix albums, and live albums. He is an international superstar, yet in America he is virtually unknown--a mere novelty at best and at worst some sort misunderstood pop pretty boy. That’s why I’m here as a rock fan, a connoisseur of the obscure, a lover of all things oddly British to tell you that you are missing out if you’ve either not heard Williams or if you’ve already discarded him as a musical hack. From the very start with 1997’s Life Thru a Lens, it is impossible not to crack a smile for Williams.
Though, I think after taking into account the two subsequent albums 1998’s I’ve Been Expecting You and 2000’s Sing When You’re Winning it is impossible to deny the appeal of Williams. 2003’s Escapology may have gotten mixed reviews, but how many artists escape sophomore slump like he did? All too few. Sing When You’re Winning marks the return of Williams and producer Guy Chambers who worked earlier as a team on I’ve Been Expecting You. Sing When You’re Winning is an extension the album it follows in that it is a continued move toward intelligent and mature pop--with a seriously off-kilter edge. This is an immensely appealing effort that doesn’t sacrifice quality for consumer appeal.
One thing I like about Williams is that he is able to carry off a groovy, memorable dance-pop track like Rock DJ at the same time he is a balladeer like on Better Man and If It’s Hurting You. It’s impossible to pigeonhole the singer-songwriter. Even mid-tempo selections like the rousing album opener Let Love Be Your Energy prove rewarding. This ability easily makes him one of the most adaptive, unique, and talented performers out there today--despite the fact he’s so rarely spotted stateside.
Sing When You’re Winning has some of the most incredible, blatant pop out there. Better Man is one of the moments that defines the album. Williams exhibits great tenderness and vulnerability. He makes you love him--and his song. Moments like this are scattered throughout his album--fortunately none is derivative of another. They all have their own flavor and slant. There is no way you could call Sing When You’re Winning repetitive; heck, it’s one of the most dynamic pop albums out there.
Though with that said, don’t take that as me saying the album is perfect. There are definitely perfect moments, but there are also times at which Williams falters. He always recovers wonderfully, but I can help but cringe at less than memorable filler like Supreme and Forever Texas. I also must mention Kids, a electronic dance duet with Kylie Minogue, at the same time. It takes much too long to build to the jaunty, thrilling end. I also really enjoy the kinetic energy of the track, but still it doesn’t even come close to comparing with those songs here that are undeniably outstanding. Fortunately for Williams the few bland tracks are far outweighed by the wickedly vivacious.
I get great joy in listening to Sing When You’re Winning from start to finish. Sure, the quality occasionally wanes, but I can’t help but be drawn to a few of the songs. In fact, the handful of perfect songs makes up for nearly every problem I have with the forgettable songs. Rock DJ is undoubtedly the most popular of all the tracks here. It’s a crazed up-tempo romp well worth hearing (though I’m betting you already have). Less known, but just as fantastic are songs like the aforementioned Let Love Be Your Energy, Better Man, and strange spacey pop ballad Love Calling Earth. One last outstanding offering is the hilariously facetious Knutsford Citiy Limits. Not only are the lyrics hilarious, but the melody is groovy and entertaining. It is merely another example of the talent possessed by Williams.
I can see no reason why fans of pop (we’re talking good pop here, folks--not of the disposable variety) shouldn’t own this album not to mention Williams’ others Life Thru a Lens and I’ve Been Expecting You. It is hip, humorous, and highly entertaining. Really, if you’re looking for a break from the usual (aka what they play on MTV) why not put this on for size?
Rating: 4/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. Let Love Be Your Energy
02. Better Man
03. Rock DJ
04. Supreme
05. Kids
06. If It’s Hurting You
07. Singing for the Lonely
08. Love Calling Earth
09. Knutsford City Limits
10. Forever Texas
11. By All Means Necessary
12. The Road to Mandalay
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