Customer Reviews

Beautiful World

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Move aside Westlife, Justin Timberlake, and Backstreet Boys.

The greatest boy band of our time Take That have returned with a big bang.

Beautiful World is That's 4th studio recorded album, not counting the compilations. It's a nice collection of mellowed-down ballads along with some foot-stompers and crowd-pleasers.

The Manchester boys have grown up. It's been 10 years since the time Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald, and Jason Orange announced that they were parting ways -Robbie Williams ditched the band months earlier and ended up being the most successful of them all, he does not return to the lineup this time around (it's his loss really). The overall feel and sound of World reflects the boys' maturity and self assurance. It also symbolizes the first time the boys share songwriting duties: Gary Barlow isn't the sole writer, Mark, Howard, and Jason all are credited; Jason debuts as a lead singer on the fantastic album closer Wooden Boat.

The album opens up with the breathtaking Reach Out, a beautiful ballad and future single, that reminds us why we loved Take That in the first place. The UK Number 1 singles Patience and Shine are simply awesome, the latter written and sung with conviction by Mark is probably one of the best pop songs I've heard in a long time, while the former is sung by Gary with such an infectious passion; Patience is technically Gary's first hit single in about a decade. Mark's Shine is the most upbeat song on the album with a beat that is similar to ELO's Mr. Blue Sky, with Beatlesque harmonies and an incredible chorus; the music video to Shine includes references to The Beatles' Your Mother Should Know video. Howard's radio friendly self-reflective Mancunian Way, a potential single, is a cool song that will eventually grow on you after a couple of listens, while the feel-good title track, Beautiful World, features one of the best harmonies the boys have ever produced. Gary's lovely ballads Ain't No Sense In Love, another potential single, Like I Never Loved You At All, and the first group effort I'd Wait For Life produce a nostalgic sense of how great it was being a fan of Take That in the 90's. Mark's What You Believe In is an elusive bluesy pop-rock number. Finally, Jason Orange's breakthrough Wooden Boat is a country influenced acoustic number (Jason actually has learned to play guitar and write songs over the 10 years that passed), and turns out to be one of the highlights on World. There's also a bonus track that appears shorty after Boat fades out titled Butterfly, a sweet catchy ballad written by Gary.

Beautiful World might not be as great as Everything Changes or Nobody Else, and Take That might not be as young and exciting as they were once. The album does lack the typical Take That dance and upbeat tracks along with the piano-driven ballads that made past efforts much more balanced. However, their return with this album deserves a very warm welcome. I'm sure the fans will agree!

So I will end by saying: Take That, welcome back...and hopefully, for good this time!

Track Picks:

Reach Out
Patience
Beautiful World
Shine
Mancunian Way
Ain't No Sense In Love
Wooden Boat/Butterfly

Recommended

B+

Incredible. After ten long years the boys with the golden voices and beautiful souls have returned to fill the world with beautiful music once more. I would be lying if I said I wouldn't think it better to have all five of them together again but that is the way it goes sometimes. No ill will towards either camp. I adore them both. It makes a warm feeling in my heart to see my boys back in action, to know that there are new sounds to listen to. For those not familiar with thier music know that it is a combination of blended harmonies, romantic love songs, and smooth adult contemporary sounds. They have grown from the teenaged boyband and evolved. Now if I can just get them to release in America and to tour here. Le sigh.

It takes a couple of repeated listens, but once the songs grow on you the album really pays dividends. Those fans expecting the same bubble gum disco numbers will come away disappointed. Take That is a band clearly affected by the 10 years they've been apart. They're grown men well into their 30's and have gone through a lot since their last album. Those changes are well reflected in the songs you hear. There's been a lot of criticism about the direction of the band. I think that direction has been made pretty clear on the album. They realize that they've had their heyday and they're not out to get a whole bunch of new fans. They're not aiming for teens anymore because it would a ridiculous career move for them. So many boy bands think they can just keep cranking out the same pop tunes and keep attracting young fans. Take That is smart in at least attempting to avoid that pitfall. Beautiful World may not give Take That the chartbusting success they had in the 90's, but I think the lads are content with just putting out a solid album. Robbie Williams cheekiness would've been brought a welcome variety to the album, but they're still talented enough without him.

In the early 1990s, Take That was the UK's answer to New Kids on the Block. Take That had a top 10 hit with "Back for Good" in 1995, a schmaltzy pop song that could've come from any random boy band being manufactured at the time. I had forgotten Take That existed until I discovered the brilliant solo work of Mark Owen and Robbie Williams while traveling to Europe and listening to the BBC on the web. I bought tall the old Take That albums, and needless to say, I preferred the Take That members apart than together. So, I was very skeptical of this record, since I'm not a fan of boy band manufactured pop (e.g. `Nsync, Backstreet Boys, etc.).

After just one listen, I've become a Take That convert. This album is nothing like their tween pop of the '90s. It's Beatle-esq in its pop-rock cross over, and will appeal to a wide range of musical tastes and audiences. In the spirit of bands like the Beatles, the entire record showcases the vocal and songwriting talents of each of its members, making each song unique. Some of Mark Owen's best work is on this album. 'Shine' and 'Hold On' are quintessential Owen tunes and are among the best on the album. 'What You Believe In' will appeal most to fans of Owen's Radiohead-inspired solo work. Gary Barlow, who came off stiff and uninspired in the Take That of yore, is comfortable in his skin on this record. 'Ain't No Sense in Love' is the best of his vocal tracks. While I'm not a big fan of Barlow's love ballads, the ones on Beautiful World are well composed and listenable. 'Paitence' and 'I'd Wait for Life' are standouts for Barlow, and show that he not only has a personality, but that he can write and sing inspired and richly diverse ballads that will appeal to people other rather that a fan base of screaming teenage girls.

While contributions from Robbie Williams would've added an interesting dimension to this album, the four members of Take That show that their collective talents only make them better individual artists. The biggest surprise on the album was 'Wooden Boat.' This contemporary folk song is unrecognizable from the techno-dance Take That of yesterday. I thought Jason Orange was just resident eye candy for teen girls, but he can actually sing. Babe, where have you been?

Beautiful World is an outstanding album, one of the best of 2006. This is definitely Grammy material. I am convinced that if this record were released in America, the new Take That would achieve what the old Take That could not: true international success. Well done guys. Can't wait for the next one.

For anyone that grew up in the 90's Take That is quite fammiliar. They were the most popular boyband of all time in UK, and they had loads of hits during the whole early 90's. They mostly did catchy dance-pop but from time to time also some good ballads. Teen-girls loved them but even other audiences respected them. Apart from many other boybands, Take That had their own songwriter, Gary Barlow, who wrote most of their songs. They also had the crazy Robbie Williams and sugar cute Mark Owen. Both of them sang songs from time to time. Jason Orange and Howard Donald, worked as backround singers and dancers. For a few years in the 90's they were all over the charts. But in 1995 they started to go their own ways, the little rebel, Robbie Williams was unhappy about the direction of the band and his limited time on the "Back for Good" album. He left and started a solo career, Now 10 years later you knew how it went. Barlow, and Owen and the rest recorded a farewell song, cover of Bee Gee's "How Deep Is Your Love" and a greatest hits album. They all tried solo-careers but it didn't go so well for neither. Howard was actually suppost to do the same, but no too surprisingly he never released anhthing. Now 10 years later in 2006, they all decide to make a comeback (Robbie Excluded, but he decided to tour with them, didn't he?). Read on to see how it went.

When Take That arrived to airports in the mid 90's you had 1000's of young girls screaming after them, when they arrived recently there were only a dozen. I was lucky to see them perform "Patience" where I live on an event a few weeks ago. They all look the same, but they don't sound the same anymore. Well, They are all 30+, what do you expect?. The dance-pop era is gone and we'll find a older rockier Take That which apply to a much older audience this time. Infact, most songs here are midtempo rockers. Kind of like Backstreet Boys's comeback album which had a simular strpped down rock sound. At first I didn't like this so much, but with a few listens it's hat's off for the boys. To say something negative, it's perhaps that no major producers are involved in this project and they may not get the feedback they deserve. However, Take That are at their peak when Barlow get the tiem to create. "Reach Out", "Patience" and "Beautiful World" are the best songs, but "No Sense At All" is also good. Gary and Mark share lyrics on most tracks, Owen's best song is "Shine" a uptempo pop-rock song. Some may also like the closer "That Wholen Boat" a beatlesque guitar song with strokes.

Overall, There isn't much more to say that it's a good album with a mix between rock and ballads. Not much like the 90's, but 3-4 songs are really good and Barlow proves he's still an excellent songwriter. The attention this album got was lukewarm, Take That? It's so 90's but they prove critics wrong. With or without Robbie they make a good pop-rock album with an older sound that never sounds pretentious or fabricated. They're all grown up men now and they release what they feel is right. Don't expect major hits or dance-pop hits, but if you want an good mature album of a good band, take a closer look at this.

Take That had been of on the best UK acts of the last ten years and broke millions of hearts when they split up, so everyone was surprised when they said that they were re forming and bringing out another cd after 10 years, it was definitly worth the wait. Every track is well written and the first single that was released (Patience) was true Take That at their best. Shine is another stand out track. This album will appeal to all of the legions of fans that they already have and will gain then millions more. Buy this cd ASAP if you do not already own it.

But, this is really amazing. I was barely familiar with these guys because I listen to a lot of American and British indie/alternative until my friend said "Remember that song 'I want you back for good' "
Uh...sort of.

After hearing Patience I was hooked and this album is great. Age and experience has served them well.

After a hugely successful TV documentary, and an even more successful tour last year, Take That return (minus their most famous alumnus) with their first album in 10 years.

"Beautiful world" sees them ditching the youthful pop sound of their past, in favour of a more adult rock/pop format, resulting in the strongest album of their career. All four guys pitch in lyrically and vocally. The album has already topped the UK album charts and sold over 1.2 million in the UK.

Opening is the sunny, upbeat "Reach out" with tight 60s sounding harmonies a-la Beach Boys, Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel (something showcased throughout this CD) and a catchy sound. In a similar vein is the floaty titletrack "Beautiful world".

Lead off single (and UK #1) "Patience" is a brilliant Beatles-like mid tempo charmer with a towering feel. With an even stronger Beatles feel is the upbeat "Shine", currently #1 in the UK. Need I mention the excellent harmonies?

A real surprise comes in the folk ballad "Wooden boat" with brilliant lyrics. The soaring piano ballad "I'd wait for life" is a real winner (great instrument build up towards the end). However, the melancholic "What you believe in" has got to be the best Take That ballad ever. Awesome!!

Take That are back, and all grown up!

The dream came true - Take That are back together again and they are better than ever! Great album! Fantastic songs! Well done lads!

I live in the US so Take That is relatively unknown to me, except for that one hit Back For Good. That said, I do not believe I have any bias, good or bad, toward the group. I just know that the album is really good in terms of adult contemporary sound. I assume most people who are disappointed were expecting bubblegum pop. Now, don't get me wrong, this album is still very pop, no rock or jazz influences whatsoever. But the tunes are very catchy, for the not-so-young crowd. The album is highly enjoyable. Glad I bought it.