Robbie Williams: Intensive Care

Intensive Care the new release from Robbie Williams, is much the same as all the other Williams albums, even after leaving his long-term songwriting partner Guy Chambers for Stephen Duffy – suggesting that maybe he’s always had more creative control than he let on. So we get the usual mix of synth-heavy power pop, a dash of country-rock and a massive ballad. The problem, as always, is Robbie’s massive ego, which manifests itself in some ridiculously self-obsessed lyrics. Still, there’s more than enough here to ensure that his commercial bandwagon will roll on and on.

Make Me Pure and The Trouble With Me are every bit as inclusive as Supreme or Feel. The ballad Advertising Space is so effective that they may as well cordon off a Number One spot now. The lovely, lambent melodies of Advertising Space and The King of Bloke and Bird may well be Duffy, but their epic qualities seem to stem entirely from Williams himself. Overall a good album for Robbie fans out there and a sure seller, especially in anticipation of his tour to SA later this year.