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.