Robbie Tuesday- I've Been Expecting You

First off, Merry Robbie Tuesday to you all. Today we are going to look at Robbie's second album, I've Been Expecting You released in 1998.

Strong: Robbie's sing-a-long song. So much fun to sing to and good album opener. It really sets the mood of the album: let me pour my heart to you and have a cocktail with an umbrella whilst I do so.
No Regrets: One of my all time favourites. Features Neil Tennant and Neil Hannon on guest vocals and is just superb. The choruses are just epic but I think what really shines here are Robbie's lyrics; not so much about who they pertain to (Take That) but the anger and frustration that builds on each line. Key lyric: I didn't lose my mind/it was mine to give away. And Suppose it's just a point of view/but they tell me I'm doing fine.
Millennium: the first single off the album. Uses a sample of 'You Only Live Twice' and this Bond theme was used in the video and the album artwork. A deserving number 1 though I've never quite worked out what it's about. If I'm to harbour a guess, I'd say it is about Robbie.
Phoenix From the Flames: a beautiful ballad that is soft in the verses and loud in the choruses. It's one of his best slow songs- yes, right up there with Angels and Feel. Lovely piano part at the beginning and one of his rare falsetto moments during the verses.
Win Some Lose Some: A mid-tempo number about a summer fling. Really lovely and has a summer vibe.
Grace: Another midtempo number in the same vein, but after learning about what the song was originally about, it kind of made me sad to listen to. Grace was what Robbie was planning on calling his and Nicole Appleton's unborn child and I think the chorus speaks volumes. At first, I thought he was talking about the concept of Grace, which is probably what most people think of now. But with lines like 'Grace, I'm not yet born/come embrace a soul that's torn' its hard not to speculate.
It's Only Us: the replacement song for Jesus in a Camper Van, this was put on the reissued version from 2002 onwards. And it's rocker Robbie, a really fun high action song. Love the 'Rock me Amadaeus' shout out.
Heaven From Here: An acoustic ballad that is the younger brother to One of God's Better People. It's sung beautifully and is a stronger song than its predecessor, though I enjoy both.
Karma Killer: In my top 10 Robbie songs, this has got to be in the top 5. Absolute corker. It builds and builds until it has a spaz attack at the end. And that climax is wonderful- the string section sounds like it's high on coke. And it's the ultimate fuck you song with some brilliant lyrics i.e I hope you choke on your Bacardi and Coke.
She's The One: yes it's a cover, but it's a brilliant cover- the type that makes you forget that the original ever existed. A heartbreaking ballad about love or lost love, I'm not sure. But it's sung with such romance it's hard not to fall in love with it.
Man Machine: Like Karma Killer, if Karma Killer was in a Guy Ritchie film. So it's clever, less angry but its still up there in fuck the world stakes.
These Dreams: a beautiful ballad to end the album and is a touching story about a woman in a relationship that she shouldn't be in.

I think you can tell that I consider this one of Robbie Williams best albums and is in my top 3. Only wish I'd discovered it earlier. It's such a strong, consistent pop album and was a wonderful way to cap off the decade.
9.5-10/10

Robbie Tuesday

Merry Robbie Tuesday everyone! First off, Congrats to the man himself for scoring another Australian number 1 album and number 2 in Britain, unfortunately beaten by JLS by a margin.

Today, I've decided to review Reality Killed the Video Star, taking a detour from the retrospective analyses that I was planning on.

The album starts off with the ballad Morning Sun, which kicks in at around the 30sec mark with percussion and lush strings. The strings seem to be the centrepiece of the whole album, and so they should be because they sound AMAZING.
Bodies, the first single, packs a punch and is really the only upbeat number on the record. Not that I'm complaining. I still believe it is one of his best songs and is catchier than crabs. The video however is a letdown.
You Know Me, the second single, is a doo-wop number and is an achingly sweet song. The video features Robbie as a giant bunny rabbit. Nuff said. The chorus stays in your head for hours on end and I love the repeat chorus after the middle 8 (around the 2:50 mark)
Blasphemy is the last song Robbie and Guy Chambers wrote together and is from the Escapology sessions. The lyrics are very clever indeed, but the tune doesn't entirely strike me as catchy. I think more listens are necessary to appreciate it. Key lyric: What's so great about the great depression?/Was it a blast for you?/Because it's Blasphemy
Do You Mind? is a little more classic Rob i.e Sing/Escapology that's been given a kick up the arse. Bridge reminds me of another song, but I just can't put my finger on it. The chorus is a lot of fun to sing along to and I can imagine this being a fan favourite live. 'Does anyone fancy Monaco?'
Up next is Last Days of Disco WHICH WILL BLOW YOUR MIND AND YOUR LOINS. Hands down one of the best Robbie songs ever. I love when he goes heavy disco and the bridge is fantastic especially on its second and third appearances where he goes for a key change almost, and kinda sounds like Neil Tennant. And the dance break down? Amazing. The strings and synths just work so well together. 'Don't call it a comeback/Look what I invented here/ I thought it was easy' and 'The fascination of/a boy and girl in love'. Epitomy of heavy disco. Almost like a fuck you song.
The next track, Somewhere, is one minute long, but isn't called an interlude offically. It is very pretty and almost Swing Robbie.
Deceptacon is up next and it's another synth + strings mix. It's sounds really lovely too because it kind of soars during the chorus. The lyrics are great too: 'From all of us here/to all of us there'... 'And all over Britain/we wait for permission/to form another queue'.
Starstruck was described as the lovechild of Fastlove and Amazing by George Michael and it does very much sound like that. After LDoD, this was the next track I was eager to hear and did not dissappoint. The chorus is very ballsy. Someone on a message board said this is the kind of song Kylie needs- pop but mellow and catchy and I can definately hear her singing this. Key lyric: 'I guess the odds are very good/but the goods are very odd'
Aaah, Difficult for Weirdos. Upon first listen, I didn't take much notice of this. But then I heard it again. And again. And I love it. Wouldn't sit out of place on Rudebox. It is very much electro-pop Robbie, which I happen to love. Double points for this lyric: 'He's a lesbian/but that's okay' And the handclap breakdown.
Superblind: amazing chorus, average verses. But I can deal with that. Favourite lyric from this track: 'I'm the genius behind me/Maybe I shouldn't have said it.'
Won't Do That: Robbie's first love song. And it reminds me of Something Beautiful, a little bit in the chorus and I can hear remnants of Dusty Springfield and Marcia Hines in the horn section as well.
The album finishes with a reprise of Morning Sun, thus coming full circle.
Overall, I really love this album. His voice sounds so good and strong and I can totally understand what he meants when he said it's New Robbie meets Old Robbie and a Robbie we haven't met yet. It's a mellow album, but it packs more a punch than Intensive Care (possibly due to Trevor Horn's production. Moar please!). There's hints of Escapology and it's not as experimental as Rudebox. And like Intensive Care, it sounds like an album, like a body of work. The reprise also reminds me of what Coldplay did on Viva La Vida by using Life in Technicolor at the beginning and at the end of the album. Definately in my top 3 Robbie albums and a must have.
8.5-9/10

Rove: signing off...

To cap off my lame birthday, I was in the middle of dinner on Sunday night when my buddy Karina texted me that what was billed as Rove's final show of the season was actually his final show ever. EVAH.
*cue sad face*
As a fan of the show, I can't say I'm too pleased with this news. It's been an amazing rollercoaster these last ten years. And yes, I was almost in tears last night during his final comments. It's hard to put into words what the show meant to me. It helped me get through high school and some weird moments in my life. I've met and bonded with some awesome people through it. But most of all, I've grown up with it. So it seems strange and at the same time right that this happened the day after I turned 20. It really does feel like the end of an era.


Thank you to Rove and all the cast and crew for everything. Especially the memories.

Coming up!

Exams are over, uni is over for another year. Huzzah! Which means I can now devote some more time you my dear blogettes.

So here's what you can expect: - Robbie Tuesdays, including a review of 'Reality Killed The Video Star'

- My reviews of the Little Boots, Natalie Imbruglia, Damien Leith plus others
- ARIA awards rundown
- Girls Aloud and Sugababes belated reviews.

Plus anything else that pops up. Strap yourselves in peeps!

What I've Been Listening To...

Firstly, apologies are in order for missing Robbie Tuesday. Was tres busy with uni work and considering I have exams coming up, don't expect an update until after November 11.

However, here is a quick run down on what I have been currently bingeing on music wise:

Air- The Virgin Suicides. Fantastic. Breathy, macabre and all round brilliance

Bat For Lashes- Two Suns. After falling in love with 'Daniel' and 'Sleep Alone', I decided I needed to get my paws on the rest of the album. Sister said it was 'a bit Bjork'. I'd say it's like a middle ground of Goldfraap's 'Supernature' and '7th Tree'. Really enjoyed it, but deserves multiple listens to take it all in.

The Noisettes- Wild Young Hearts. Don't expect disco anthems like 'Don't Upset the Rhythm' like I did. However, I actually found myself really enjoying this album. The singer reminds me of Amy Winehouse but less grating and the songs are very catchy indeed.

Empire of the Sun: I had high hopes for this one considering I love their singles. Unfortunately, the album for me is a bit of a letdown. Starts off great, but goes into 'bizarro' territory in the middle. May re-visit it though.

Little Boots- Hands. Praise be to the Little Boots! Fantastic pop album. 'Symmetry' in particular blows my mind.

C'est tout!

Just a little post on Girls Aloud

Ah, GA. I have a love/hate relationship with them. Love their music, but hate (strong word) their personalities (or lack of). Last night, I revisited their 2005 album 'Chemistry' which led to me working on my personal GA playlist. Somewhere between Tangled Up and Out of Control I lost interest which is why I don't have the latter album. Their cruel win over Coldplay at this years Brit Awards didn't help either. Is 'The Promise' a good song? Yes. But was the Best British single of 2008? No. A travesty. It's not that it's not good it's just compared to Viva La Vida, it's a little less. I am becoming more and more enamoured with the song as the days go by.
All this because someone posted the new Cheryl Cole song.
WHY!!?!!?!?

Robbie Tuesday: News and Life Thru a Lens

Well, it really is Robbie Tuesday. Firstly, 'Electric Proms', Robbie's first proper show of the year, will be screened in cinemas in Australia from Nov 6. Mark that date down. Fingers crossed I can haul my arse down to a cinema between exams.
If not, there's always his ARIA awards performance on Nov 26 at Acer Arena.
Next, the great xolondon has duly noted that a minute long snippet of 'Last Days of Disco' is on a promo vid for the album. Head on another to the blog or the official site to check it out. Personally, I love it. It is very dancey, dark and Pet Shop Boys esque. Like the next step from Rudebox (the album). http://xolondon.blogspot.com

And now, as promised, a track by track on Robbie's first solo album 'Life thru a lens'
1. Lazy Days: Reminds me of Sundays. A very mellow track, but a solid album opener. I always chuckle at the 'we will have...a jolly good time' lyric. Sums him up (at the time).
2. Life Thru a Lens: Title track (duh). Starts off nice then goes right off the rails. Loves it. Fav lyric: 'your clothes are very kitsch, just because your daddy's rich'. Definately sounds like he was off his tits when he recorded this one. And if he wasn't, I'll eat my shoe. The ending is mental but doesn't compare to Karma Killer's epic closing (more on that next week)
3. Ego A Go Go: More upness. Huzzah! Cheeky Rob taking the piss out of himself. Sounds very Britpop, but not in that cheesy way. 'Circus is gone now all that's left is the clown'. Ominous much? (See Take That's album The Circus for the reference. Fools)
4.Angels: There's nothing to say about this track that hasn't been said in the past 12 years. Amazing. Beautiful. And nothing compares to this original. The brutal honesty in the delivery, the guitar solo, the string section... The live version at Knebowrth is chills-down-your-spine- worthy. A definite pop classic.
5. South of the Border: Forgettable. That doesn't mean it's terrible, but stacking up next to the other songs, it just sounds like filler, but good filler. Sounds like 'Knutsford City Limits' on pot.
6. Old Before I Die: Catchy chorus. Sounds like Guy Chambers had a hand but this is acutally one of the Guy-less tunes on the record. Robbie rocking out in his own special way. Awww...
7. One of God's Better People: A lovely acoustic number. This is actually one of my favourites off the record. Honest and raw. 'My wish was pure/oh so pure'. So sweet. File this next to 'Nan's Song'. The guitar bits before the chorus are just nutty and sort of grip you. And I'm only now picking up on the horn sections in the second chorus. Wow.
8. Let Me Entertain You: This is the sort of song that grabs you by the balls and goes 'IN YOUR FACE MOFO!' I think Robbie once said that this track was born to open shows. Totally agree. Rocks out with its...socks out :P The guitar break towards the last choruses and the piano bit are just fantastic. Lyrically, its so clever. I can't see anyone but the great showman himself sing it. The video is a personal favourite- Robbie in a KISS cover band? Yes ploise.
9. Killing Me: brings the tempo of the album back down off its high. Achingly beautiful. You can tell he's just opening his wound on this track. 'Words cut deep when you're defenceless'. Puck yeah. And don't get me started on the horns at the end. I think this is just making it into my Robbie Top 10.
10. Clean: A fun, happy stupid song about trying to get off drugs.
11. Baby Girl Window: A pretty song to end the album. Just noticed the lyric 'a place where heaven breathes'. Some people hate lyric recyclers, but personally I love these little nods. This lyric can be found on the Robbie/Guy song 'Loveboat' by Kylie Minogue (2000).
Overall, I don't think this is my favourite out of his records, but at least it's a solid effort with plenty of great rock/pop songs. Very Britpop-lite and he sounds coked out at times. Or doing a Gallagher borthers impression. 6.5-7 Robbie's out of 10 Wiliiams.

I digress...

Revolver by Madonna is not that bad.

*runs and hides behind a couch*

Robbie Tuesday

This: has me excited for Reality Killed The Video Star. It's good to see the British tabloids actually being positive about Robbie. I partly blame them for the failure of Rudebox, one of his best records to date. If it wasn't for them lambasting the title track and being very, very pro Take That comeback, then the album would have done better in the UK. Not that it matters so much; Rudebox was a number 1 hit here.

And another thing: as cool as it would be for Robbie to go back to TT, I hope it's not permananent. I'm quite happy with the arrangement they have now: TT as a four piece and Robbie as the mega uber star he deserves to be.

In the lead up to the release of the new album, I'll be going through Robbie's albums and assessing them, starting from next Tuesday with Life Thru a Lens . Get excited peoples!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/2659297/Robbie-Williams-new-album-is-best-for-years.html

My thoughts on: Madonna- Celebration

Ok, so Madonna this week has released her third official Greatest Hits and her last with Warner Records. Being a Madonna fan, I was put in a bit of a weird situation. Got all her 94work and beyond, Immaculate Collection and GHV2. So essentially, I paid $20 for 2 new songs (and Everybody and Burning Up. But We won't count those.) 'Celebration' (the track) is a fun, inane party song that has finally worked it's magic on me. I listened to the first 5 seconds of 'Revolver' but I haven't made any further progress on it.
The tracklisting is predicatable but good. I picked it up and did a mental checklist 'YES! Yes, NOOO (4 mins- terrible) Yep, YES, YES' etc... Although fans were asked for their input, it seems like it didn't get through to the powers that be. GHs are really for the casual/non fan and yet relative hardcore fans like myself get suckered into buying them. *le sigh*

Taken from togerland: Disc 1 vs Disc 2. My choices are in bold.

1. Hung Up vs Dress You Up
2. Music vs Material Girl
3. Vogue vs La Isla Bonita
4. 4 Minutes vs Papa Don't Preach
5. Holiday vs Lucky Star
6. Everybody vs Burning Up
7. Like A Virgin vs Crazy For You
8. Into The Groove vs Who's That Girl
9. Like A Prayer vs Frozen
10. Ray Of Light vs Miles Away
11. Sorry vs Take A Bow
12. Express Yourself vs Live To Tell
13. Open Your Heart vs Beautiful Stranger
14. Borderline vs Hollywood
15. Secret vs Die Another Day
16. Erotica vs Don't Tell Me
17. Justify My Love vs Cherish
18. Revolver vs Celebration

RESULT: 12 votes to 6. Disc 1 is a winner. Overall, worth it.
Non-fan: 4/5
Fans: 3/5

Top 5 Coldplay songs of Viva era

All credit to coldplaying message board. Thought I would post my choices here too.
5. Lost!: Instant for me. The hip-hop beats, the way the song grows and its message. Fantastic. The acoustic version scores points as well.
4. Strawberry Swing: Makes me think about a beautiful summer's day, rolling around on the grass. Great video and they pull it off live.
3. Prospekt's March/Poppyfields: love the mysterious, weary vocals and how it grows into the climatic ending.
2. Lovers in Japan (Osaka Sun Mix): chose this as I think Reign of Love is a weak point and this mix adds something different. The song is beautiful too- make sme sort of nostalgic for a place I've never been too and a time I've never had. Double points for the video.
1. Viva La Vida: a career turning point. By far, one of the best songs from them. Looking back on 2008, this song defines that year and is definately one of the best songs this decade. Everything from the narrative, the violins and the church bell sounds majestic. Shame the vid lets it down.

Honors list
Lhuna: Yes, I'm biased, but it was so lovely to hear this duet. Sort of like 'Where the Wild Roses Grow' but less macabre. Love both Chris and Kylie's vocals.
Life in Technicolor ii: Massive singalong! And the video wins points for creative genius.
Glass of Water: Rock hard, rock long.
Lovers in Japan Acoustic: I get a bit teary eyed for some reason. Love this interpretation.

Discuss.

Coldplay Viva La vida World Tour Sydney March 14 2009 Acer Arena

This show marked the second time I had been to a Coldplay show. And what a difference 3 years makes. They are really developing as entertainers and changing their live experience to make it more a more colourful, interactive and even more enjoyable experience.
In a weird twist of fate, not only was this show exactly 4 months to the day that I saw Kylie, but I was sitting in the section directly opposite to where I was for Kylie. Odd? Un peu. Turns out we had some pretty awesome seats. Right next to the C-Stage. *high-fives self*

I couldn't even begin to say what my favourite parts of the show were, there were just too many. I will have to say that there is nothing better than hearing 'Viva La Vida' being sung by an audience of 18 000 people at the tope of their lungs. Chilling and uniting at the same time.

As this was the same day of the Sound Relief concert, the show was shortened by a little bit, which meant no Speed of Sound or Will singing Death will Never Conquer (which I was really looking forward). Instead we got Shane Warne on maracas. Yay. But that was my only qualm.

I am also proud to say I was singing and dancing the whole time. except for The Hardest Part/Postcards from Far Away. How you can dance to that, i'm not sure. You could do a nice sway I suppose.

I felt kind of sad at the end though. the whole knowing that it was over and that I'd have to wait a few more years to see them again. It's worth it though.
*waits for dvd*

Kylie XTOUR2008 Dec 14 Acer Arena

Yes, I'm well aware that the show took place many months ago. I just never got around to writing about it. So, I'm doing a brief write up now. When I should be studying for exams. My bad. I won't go into details, because everybody knows about it now, but I will say that for my first Kylie concert, I couldn't have asked for a better experience. The setlist was quite Light Years/X heavy, which was a-ok by me. Kylie both looked and sounded fantastic. At points she was holding the notes and singing in a higher register. I have a feeling this is her way 'F U!" to critics. As I already knew most of setlist due to the London broadcast, no major surprises. Personal highlights were the opening, Naughty Manga Girl, Black and White, Slow (when the percussion kicks in. Just amazing. but she didn't put Free in :( )and 2 Hearts (I demand an extended version!). I even liked the Pool Party section (to a degree). Honourable mention to the lovely couple in front of us. During Slow, Eleni and I both sang 'read my...BODY LANGUAGE!' bit so loudly, that they turned around and started giggling at us. Thanks guys! I also happen to knwo Step back in Time is one of their favourite songs. Overall, it was worth every dollar I spent. Just wish I had gotten the program :(

3 months late, but still worth it.

I'm such a bad blogger. I realised that I haven't blogged about the Kylie concert (Dec 08) nor the Coldplay concert (March 09).
*slaps hand. twice*
Videos will be up shortly. Along with delayed commentary.

Hmmm....

No, I do not have a problem officer.
*shuffles feet awkwardly*

Playlists...discuss!

And now for something entirely different.

I need thoughts, suggestions, additions for two new playlists I'm trying to make happen. First, songs for a sunny day. These are songs that make you feel as light as a feather and make you want to roll around on freshly cut grass. So far, it looks a little like this:
Strawberry Swing Coldplay
Drivin' Me Wild (ft. Lily Allen) Common
Walking on a Dream Empire of the Sun
Love Is In The Air John Paul Young
Nothing Can Stop Us [*] Kylie Minogue
Love Don't Live Here Ladyhawke
I Could Say Lily Allen
Win Some, Lose Some Robbie Williams
Love at First Sight Kylie Minogue
Where Do I Begin Sneaky Sound System
Greatest Day Take That
New Year's Day U2
Bittersweet Symphony (Live) Coldplay & Richard Ashcroft

Songs for a rainy day elicit feelings of melancholy, sadness, fatigue with a hint of loneliness. Or they could just be songs about rain.
Rainy Day Coldplay
Daniel Bat For Lashes
Warwick Avenue Duffy
Move on Now Hard-Fi
See It In A Boy's Eyes Jamelia
Rain On You Parade Duffy
No More Rain Kylie Minogue
Coffee Tea & Sympathy Robbie Williams
Back For Good Take That
Photograph Gary Numan
The Trouble With Me Robbie Williams
Cosmic Kylie Minogue

Ladies, gentlemen, sheep, I'm asking for your help. Twitter me or leave a comment here and let me know what you think I should add.

Toodles!
Annie A

Rove- Third time’s a charm: SYTYCD Afterparty show

RO “I guess this means you’re blogging again”
Me: “Oh shit”
And so, here we are, my faithful audience (all 5 of you) on our latest adventure. RO, your humble narrator and Tia had found ourselves waiting as patiently as we could in the entrance of Carraigeworks, trying to pass the time any way we could imagine. This being our third time in Rove’s studio audience, RO and I consider ourselves absolute pros. We had the waiting down, the eat-before you get there thing, and laughed and clapped in sync (*giggles*) down pat. Pros, I tells ye!
To pass the time I decided to try and twitter from my iPod. Epic Fail. RO also befriended Nandos man. Not so Epic Fail.
We were finally led through at around 8ish. Me being watchless, this is of course an approximate time. Bear with me.
The three of us agonized over seats until RO decided to take charge and lead us right into the center seats. In front of the stage. Directly underneath a microphone.
As usual Kynan Barker came out and warmed the audience up (nerdy fan alert!) until Rove came back from the SYTYCD set to say a quick hello and remind me of how I totally thought Ben was gay this whole season. He left and RO and I commented that the set seemed different to the last time. The sign appeared to be in a different spot and the desk was much closer to the couch, almost squashed together. The sound was infintaley better though.
Some hasty notes on the show:
-Rove’s outfit: the ruffled shirt. Most men would look like a gay pirate in this shirt. Rove looks like a gay pirate. :P JOKES, JOKES PEOPLE! It looked good. Great to see him changing up the wardrobe.
-Pete’s beard: interesting. He explained that it was for his new film, which is exciting news.
- Mono went down well. Forgot to mention that before the show started Rove did a girly jump off his chair. Huzzah!
- Nat Bass: I luff me some Nat Bass. Wanted her shows so badly. Her mic though was left on as she went to change during the Fabulous Gretel Killeen’s interview which was quite unfortunate. I do believe I heard her pass wind. Could have been a zipper though….
- Voting: Is he worried about his chances? Hmmm…. We shall see come Sunday (yes, I will post a review of the Logies too!)
- Carrie at the news desk: good this weeks, but poor Bonnie over did it a little bit. Just a little bit.
- Gretel Killeen: the woman who got me through early high school. Love, love, LOVE Gretski! Biggest mistake Ch 10 ever did was fire her.
- Sarah Murdoch: Am beginning to like her more and more. A model with brains and beauty? Que’est- ce que c’est ca?
- Rove and Twitter: I think someone has a problem… Throughout most of the ad breaks, Rove was constantly on his iPhone twittering. He also came up to our section of the audience asking if anyone was twittering and he saw RO and asked “Is the twitter thing still there?”
Me: *jump in* Yeah, I think so.
RO: *nods head* you have to scroll down though
R: Ahh. Nice to see you again.
RO: Yeah, thank you!
- Rove and Bliss n Esso: Not a fan oif the band, but Rove got his hip-hop on. He’s soooo down with the bishes. And a little too white.
All in all, another fantastic show and another awesomeexperience!