Review 'Intensive Care'

Quoted from: http://www.thesun.co.uk/
Thanks to www.robbiewilliamslive.com

'We've been expecting something special from Robbie Williams after his last album Escapology. And now nearly 3 yrs on he is back with his best release yet. I've had an exclusive listen to Intensive Care and Robbie joined me to bring you a revealing track by track review. In typical tongue-in-cheek style, the singer has included a song called Your Gay Friend -setting tongues wagging in showbiz land as to who it could be. Intensive Care is a moody, melancholy and magnificently funny album. Fans will be pleasantly surprised to hear reggae and rock influences in some of the 12 tracks. In an exclusive interview Robbie, who has sold more than 35million records, told me: This is the best album I've written but I say that before every album comes out. But I think I mean it this time, I'm very pleased with the way it worked out with co. writer Stephen Duffy and it's given me a whole new perspective on the future as well. Delving into his past, Robbie sings about lost love, He also ponders his future as a dirty old man and his search for a wife. The first single Tripping is Robbie's attempt at a mini gangster opera and the track Sin Sin Sin is influenced by his love for electronic music. Robbie has used this album to let fans into his life - and you will see that stardom still leave him struggling for complete happiness. Robbie, the country's greatest entertainer for the past decade, won't be giving up his title as King of Pop just yet... The tracks rated:

Ghosts - opening track sees Robbie tapping into the 80's revising fav sounds from bands such as The Human League. Robbie says it's about lost love and pining and while it's melancholic the vocal harmonies raise it up. 9 out 10

Tripping - we already know - rated 8 out 10

Make Me Pure - Classic Robbie with clever crisp vocal plus guitars. This won't disappoint - good tune - This song is about turning 30 and realising there is still a big void in my life - that's a woman, a partner, a wife. 10/10

Spread your Wings - swaggering rock song that wouldn't be out of place in a huge stadium. Robbie says I want to write songs that will still break people's hearts in 20 yrs time and I hope and reckon this one will do just that. 8/10

Advertising Space - like a U2 track - seems autobiographical but Robbie layers in lines about America and insiders are pitching it as Robbie's answer to Candle in the Wind. Robbie says. This is my True Romance song. 8/10

Please Don't Die - you would expect this to be tearful, but the pleading line about an unnamed family member who died of cancer last year is not hopeless. The funky guitar on the track steers Robbie's tender, intimate lyrics in a soul-searching and optimistic direction 10/10

Your Gay Friend - Intensive Care's cheekiest number and full of the F word - but Robbie keeps everyone guessing and refuses to reveal the subjects name. He says: 'The less said the better'. 10/10

Sin Sin Sin - An electronic hypnotic song that sees Robbie slipping into Pet Shop Boys mode. It's a tale of a dirty old man searching for satisfaction with women. Robbie says "It's about the kind of bloke I will turn into one day" 10/10

Random Acts of Kindness - Robbie has been dabbling in spells and has come up with the winning formula for a hit album. Song is full of experimental Eastern promise - He says this song is mystical and magical. 8/10

The Trouble with me - The singer exposes all his emotional weaknesses in this. The into is pure Robbie classic and the opening lines leave you in no doubt that though maturing. Robbie is still fighting to find the perfect balance in life. 9/10

A Place to crash - Rocking Robbie at his best. It's a Stones tribute with guitar sounds that Primal Scream would envy. Robbie really wants people to hear this one and is bound to be a live favourite. 10/10

King of Bloke and Bird - song about painful love - Robbie says. This is me trying to imitate Neil Young and sounding instead like Kermit the frog. He adds this song could be "too painful to sing live" 7/10'