Circus [Import]

Take That | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 6, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Universal I.S.
• ASIN: B001JCDWAS
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #522,598 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2008 album from the mega-selling British boy band. After successfully effecting one of the greatest Pop comebacks in history, Take That release their fifth studio album, the second after their return. Led, as ever, by the songwriting talents of svengali Gary Barlow, this release is similarly epic and romantic to its predecessor (2006's Beautiful World), with songs such as 'What Is Love', 'How Did It Come To This' and the single 'Greatest Day' standing out most. Producer John Shanks returns for a second collaboration with the boys, repeating the success of his work with them on Beautiful World. Universal. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful World part II, December 9, 2008

By 

Nse Ette (Lagos, Nigeria) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Circus (Audio CD)

UK quartet Take That are 2 albums into their phenomenal comeback. Following their "Beautiful world" CD which sold over 2 million copies in the UK alone, they decide not to tinkle too much with that albums winning formula. Loads of sixties sounding Beatles-style Pop/Rock numbers and ELO-style harmonies a-plenty. So far, it seems the decision has paid off; lead-off single "Greatest day" became their 11th UK #1, and the CD just topped the UK album charts with the third all time best first week sales behind Oasis and Coldplay, leaving Britney's same titled, same day released album trailing in their wake.

And the music? Not a wide deviation from its predecessor which is good and bad. The good? The towering opening piano ballad "The garden", the jaunty Beatles-esque "Hello", the Lennon-like ballad "Julie" (with a "Sha la la la" refrain), the tender theatrical piano ballad "The circus", the angst laden but sunny "How did it come to this" (rumoured to be about Amy Winehouse), the upbeat "Hold up a light", and hidden cut, the Latin-tinged "She said" (on which they sound like they are having so much fun).

Standouts are a pair of ballads; the stunning piano ballad "What is love" (lead vocals by Howard and deep questioning lyrics), and "You" (nice wall of harmonies).

Now the bad. The rest of the songs are largely safe and forgettable, and I feel they need some more edginess; guitars, synths, something. Not that fans are complaining though! Three and a half stars!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Age of the "Man Band" has arrived, December 27, 2008

By 

J. Walters (Salt Lake City, Utah United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Circus (Audio CD)

The term "boy band" has unfortunately gotten a bad rap in today's fast changing world. It's an abusive label that has been placed on music groups who all sing but typically don't play instruments. Because the most popular outfits were young male teens or twentyish guys singing popish, bubblegum, R&B tracks then that's the image people forced on these groups. Sadly, these groups are often criticized for being flavor of the month acts who just crank out these syrupy songs aimed at teenage girls and are not serious musicians with longevity in the industry. That may be true for some groups but there are some artists who do take their music seriously and are each talented in their own right and also have the ability to stay on top.

Take That are one those rare bands that started out as a 90's pop sensation in the UK and then disbanded in 1996 only to make a successful comeback 10 years later. With their new album going #1 in the UK, it's almost like they never left except their music has evolved to a more Beatle-esque meets Coldplay sound. I guess if you had to put a label on them, it would be "Man Band." The lads from Manchester have found a winning formula that keeps all members involved in the singing and songwriting process. The downside is that it has divided some loyal fans into 2 camps. One camp wants the band to keep their old pop formula and have Gary Barlow sing all the songs. The other camp are the ones embracing the new direction and were probably fans who favored more songs with Mark Owen and Robbie Williams back in the day. Fans of the former camp will likely be disappointed in how little Barlow is on this album and how many songs Owen gets this time round. Thus the problem with bands like this. Everyone has their favorite band member and everyone on in the band is capable of taking the lead. In my opinion, for the most part TT pulls off the balancing act quite well for the most part. I personally wouldn't given Mark the amount of songs they did but the ones he does are memorable and catchy. What makes this situation more interesting is the giant elephant in the room/studio for Take That. What happens to them if Robbie Williams decides to rejoin the band? That's something that might never happen but for now the band is enjoying their success with a solid follow up album.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Album, December 23, 2008

By 

Maria Gessner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Circus (Audio CD)

Wonderful follow up to "Beautifyl World". A great collaborations of all 4 members in each song makes each song unique . They are truly a versatile modern group that caters to everyone .