Review Intensive Care: entertainment.iafrica.com

Quoted from: http://entertainment.iafrica.com

'Tom Gray
Wed, 09 Nov 2005

Robbie Williams is a man who knows how to sell records. Lots of them. A touch over six million since the turn of the century in fact.
So it's no surprise that he launches into this, his seventh studio album with a self assured "Here I stand, victorious!"
It's no surprise too, that Robbie treads the same path that has served him so well since he famously left Take That in 1995, with a blend of self-assured pop-rock driven by a golden voice that, it seems, is getting better with age.
It's been three years since his last studio release, during which time Robbie parted ways with songwriter Guy Chambers, and speculation was rife that Robbie would be but half the singer without him. Truth be told, it doesn't seem to have made much difference at all. In fact 'Intensive Care' seems to pick up where 2002's 'Escapology' left off.
Skip past the disappointing 'Tripping' (why on earth was this selected as the first single?) and you'll find a crop of belt-it-out-in-the-shower ballads that are as good as any of his earlier work.
Expect the soon-to-be released 'Advertising Space' to dominate the charts and eclipse 'Angels' as concert favourite, despite a somewhat plodding chorus.
There's a hint of Americana here too, with country-edged guitar riffs vying with sweeping gospel choirs on the confessional 'Make Me Pure', and a nod to good old southern soul on 'Spread Your Wings'.
It's not all ballads though, and the catchy pop-rock guitar riffs of 'Gay Friend' herald a second half thick with driving riffs, jangly piano and pseudo-eighties guitar effects, crowned by the simply superb 'Place to Crash' — pure Rolling Stones without the wrinkles. Intensive care? This sounds more like rude health.
In short, 'Intensive Care' is a polished offering from a consummate pop star. It may not win Robbie many new fans but, as the old saying goes, if it ain't broke then don't fix it. And while Robbie Williams may claim to be many things, broke he most certainly isn't. '