As some people may know, I’ve been a fan of Robbie Williams’ music for quite some time. However, I’m not completely at home with his newest album Rudebox.
My very first Robbie Williams album ranked by chronological acquisition was 2000’s Sing When You’re Winning. There’s literally not one song I don’t like on that album. I also picked up I’ve Been Expecting You (the 1998 home of “Strong”, “No Regrets”, “Millennium” and outsiders “Win Some Lose Some” and “Grace”), Escapology (2002, housing “Monsoon”, “Handsome Man”, “Me and My Monkey”, “Hot Fudge”) and last year’s Intensive Care (”The Trouble With Me”, “King of Bloke and Bird”, “Please Don’t Die”, “Sin Sin Sin” and of course “Tripping”).
I’ll admit it: My taste is out in the periphery, rarely turning to the radio plays. I’ve had qualms with most of the latter albums, but my relationship to Rudebox is a different animal entirely. I am unable to find one good song on the album, and it carries 17 tracks in all, more than on any other such studio album. “Louise”, “The Actor” and “Bongo Bong And Je Ne T’Aime” are the only ones even coming close to acceptable. As for the rest, well…
I understand what he’s trying to do. He’s trying to pull in a completely different direction, to not stagnate, to avoid repetition, and I appreciate the effort. I don’t necessarily approve of the end result, however. I’m avoiding the Pet Shop Boys like the plague and it pains me to see a collaboration, and many of the other songs are textbook examples of what to play me to provoke an instinct to change the channel.
I’d be happy if he returned to familiar pastures with his next album. Two stars out of five, with one solely for a reasonable effort and good intent.