Customer Reviews

Ego Has Landed (Alternate Track)

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I only became aware of Robbie Williams a few short weeks ago, when I caught a snippet of him performing a song on VH1. Looking to try/buy some new music from an artist I'd not heard before, I picked up William's latest. Wow. This CD is simply great. I'm not aware of Williams' background but he certainly learned how to write songs with HOOKS. I love almost every song on this CD. "Lazy Days" starts the music out on a great note, this is currently my favorite song. "Millenium", "No Regrets" and "Strong" are all very fine. "Angels" is a beautiful ballad and "Let Me Entertain You" is a wild, loud rocker that will more than remind you of Elton John is his hey-day just a bit. All the rest of the songs are worthy of mention, but I'd just be repeating the word: great too often. There is, in my opinion, not one weak song on this collection of 14 songs. THAT is quite an accomplishment. I've been playing this CD almost non-stop since I bought it. In an age when artists put out collections where you can find two or three songs you really like, Robbie manages to pull it off FOURTEEN times. This one is not to be missed!

In today's pre-fabricated and, ahem, downright corporate music scene, rare is the pop album that can affect the jaded listener. Rarer still is the pop artist who actually can entertain, both on-stage and off. Rarest of all are pop albums whose every constitutent could be spun off into massive singles of excellent quality.

Robbie Williams and his "The Ego Has Landed", a compilation of two UK albums, are exceptions to the afore-mentioned rules. Granted, perhaps this album works so effectively because it casts off some of the filler from his two UK-only releases, but that's a small detail. Recent pop music hasn't seen much better than the likes of the balladry heard on "Angels" and "She's The One", the sheer brilliance of "No Regrets", and even straight-ahead Oasis-type rockers "Lazy Days" and "Old Before I Die" - not to mention the general insouciance of "Man Machine" and "Let Me Entertain You", which offer the perfect antidote to the dancing moppets that provide most current pop. Even the weaker tracks lyrically here ("Millennium", the one single US listeners may actually have heard) deliver on the musical level - the incorporation of the strings from "You Only Live Twice" is nothing short of sheer brilliance (well, at least in my book).

Maybe Robbie will never get the airplay he deserves in the US, but this is perhaps because one cannot classify what he does under one single category, which seems to be what one needs to get chart positioning. Nonetheless, this is nothing to be ashamed of - who wants to be on the same chart as some of the currently popular US acts? This is a brilliant album with something to offer every listener, and one that will remain in a multi-disc player for quite some time - proof positive, I would say, that "pop music" need not be a derogatory term...some of the time, at least.

Having just watched Robbie Williams live concert at London's Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening, I just felt I had to come on line and give you all a review of his only US release so far. Robbie Williams formerly of Boy band Take That graduated to the forefront of the British music scene with his single "Angels" and has never looked back since. Several number ones and many many hits later he is not only established as a credible singer/songwriter, he is quite simple Britain's biggest and brightest star. He regularly plays to sold out stadiums and arena's around the world and the only two nuts he still has to crack are America and movies. For both it is only hopefully a matter of time because he is the ultimate showman and a modern rarity, an allround entertainer. Even Elton John has said so (but don't let that put you off)!

Robbie Williams cd "The Ego Has Landed" is an amalgamation of his first two UK album releases "Life Thru' A Lens" and "I've Been Expecting You" which is no bad thing. Basically what you are getting here are the best bits (14 tracks) of his first two albums with the usual and inevitable couple of weaker tracks removed. In other words this is a very good album which includes eight UK top ten singles and two UK number 1's. My favourite tracks are "Angels" (which has become something of an anthem in this country, everybody knows the words), "No Regrets" and "She's The One" but no doubt you'll have different favourites. "The Ego Has Landed" refers to Robbie's sometimes brash public statements about himself, which if you take at face value suggest that he is a bit of an ego-maniac. However, despite much of his rhetoric, he is in fact quite the opposite and has in the past turned to both booze and drugs to conquer his fears and self-doubt. Thankfully he seems to have conquered both or we would have been deprived of the world's greatest showman. For he really is that good and if you don't believe me you have to watch his videos and see him live. Still cynical? So was I until I saw him perform live at a festival a few years ago, alongside Indie bands such as the Prodigy, and steal the show from what should have been a hostile audience for a pop performer. Since then I've tried to buy tickets to see him live on several occasions but such is his popularity and reputation for putting on a great live show they are always sold out in hours.

His last hit album in the UK was the massive selling "Sing When You're Winning" and in typical Robbie style his new album out here now is the similarly titled Swing When You're Winning, an astonishing album of vintage classics from the '50s, originally sung by Robbie's heroes, namely, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jnr and of course, the legendary Frank Sinatra. Swing When You're Winning features several duets, including the first single from the album; the unmissable 'Somethin' Stupid', recorded with Nicole Kidman (check out the ace and slightly raunchy video) and thanks to the miracle of modern technology, a duet with Frank Sinatra himself. Now that's class. Take my advice, buy "The Ego Has Landed", import "Sing When You're Winning" and "Swing When You're Winning" and check out the videos from 1998's Millenium onwards and see if you can get his concerts on video or DVD. The guy has got a great sense of humour, a great sense of style and a great deal of class. America, you don't know what you are missing!!!

If there is any indication that America needs a wake up call musically, here is the CD that does it!! Robbie Williams is basically a God in the U.K. (It's Robbiemania over there!) Now, you know why. This CD rocks unlike any other I have ever listened to. I play "The Ego Has Landed" 24-7 in my player, I listen to it at work constantly, much to the irritation of my fellow co-workers. Even they are now humming to every song, it's so infectious. It's such a rarity nowadays that every track is killer, and shows that America needs to take a listen to this music 'cause the scene here is pretty damn boring if you ask me (and you did, since you said write your own review!) "Millenium" has a great riff (James Bond, anyone?) "Lazy Days" has an wonderful sentiment, (I love the line: "The world can change in a second, so I find the sunshine beckons me to open up the gate and dream".) "One of God's Better People" was written for Rob's Mum, cheers to Rob for putting it on the CD. "Let Me Entertain You" is the flashiest, trashiest song on the CD, with shades of The Who (yeah,baby) and the late, great Freddie Mercury of Queen. The bonus track (at 13:40) is great on two levels: One, our Robert rails at a teacher who made his life miserable (we can all relate that, can't we?) Two, I love his accent, he sounds so innocent. Yeah, and Rome was built in a day, too. If the music isn't enough to turn your head, then look at a picture of him! He is absoutely mega-cute. O.K. Enough praising, just buy the bloody CD, wouldja? You will have "NO REGRETS".

P.S. I wish him much success, he deserves it. Rob is mad for it in concert, too. DO NOT MISS HIM LIVE!!! You have not LIVED until you do!

Remember on the Grammies last year, how Ricky Martin came on stage as an unknown and left a star.

Bet on the same for Robbie in 2000. His record company is pressing hard (largely because they haven't any other decent new acts) so expect a Best New Artist nomination, and an outside chance for Angel as song of the year. If he performs, you'll feel the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

Yes, he IS that good.

So you can wait to spring and jump on the bandwagon or you can tell your friends, "Oh, Robbie? Yes, I bought his CD months ago. It's all that good."

By the way, Entertainment Weekly selected this as the best album of the year.

This unexpected treasure that is now part of my CD collection was such a welcome addition. This is one of the most original albums I have ever heard with everything from Aggressive Dance of LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU to the gentle ANGELS. The star track is WIN SOME LOSE SOME. A Very pop and UPBEAT flavor that hooked me right from the first 10 seconds of the song. Religous fanatics may be offended by JESUS IN A CAMPER VAN but chances are, religious fanatics wouldn't buy this CD anyway. This CD might even have you wondering is Robbie Williams is Straight, Gay, or just a bitter man who has had a few relationship problems (ie KARMA KILLER) but his lyrics come through strong and his sound is VERY ORIGINAL. And in today's music, that's a rarity.

Wow. Someone really screwed up royally in the marketing department. Robbie Williams, quite possibly the best singer/songwriter/entertainer in history, has been simply overlooked by America. Why? Why is it that so many mediocre fools can make it on the U.S. pop charts and Robbie can't even make a little dent? It simply boggles the mind. Oh well, enough of my ranting. At least I know good music when I hear it. That brings me to my review of Robbie's little conglomoration called 'The Ego Has Landed.' This was initially released so that the U.S. could be introduced to the brilliance of Robbie, but we all know where that went. Anyway, I must say that it was a very good idea to take, in essence, the best of both albums and make it a semi-'Greatest Hits' package. 'Ego' includes the chart-toppers 'Millenium,' 'She's The One,' and the breathtaking ballad 'Angels.' These songs are excellent, but I feel that the others are more reflective of Robbie's songwriting abilities. 'No Regrets' is a cynical number aimed at a certain ex of his. 'Phoenix From The Flames' is a beautiful bit dedicated to his sister. 'Let Me Entertain You' is Rob's powerhouse anthem testifying how incredible his stage presence is - he even begins all his concerts with this one. My only problem with this compilation is that 'Jesus In A Camper Van' was not included, quite possibly because of his legal problems with it. All in all, however, this album represents what Robbie is - a born entertainer. So what if the U.S. doesn't embrace him....I always will!

I think that if you don't have this album, you better go out and get it. Millenium might have given you a bad idea of him but here is a good one, go out and buy this one! Robbie has a fresh good vibe, and I love the song Angels and Lazy Days.If you don't you are missing out on a lot. His music really tells a story on how life is today and gives a good feeling.Hurry your missin out.

I had heard Millennium many times and liked the opening hook,but never paid much attention to who the artist was singing it.Then recently Angels broke into the radiowaves here in America and I thought there was some long lost Elton John track from the 70's I had never heard.Thats when I paid attention to who this was bought the cd and was trully convinced he's the real deal when I checked the liner notes and found that he actually writes these songs.Angels is the most powerful inspirational song of the last two decades.I hope Robbie will continue to write more songs like Angels.

...there is nothing but quality music on this CD. I know there was a moment where he seemed a shoe in to be nominated, but looking at who's ruling the nominations I would personally be offended to be nominated with these people, because it would mean the music industry thought my music was a shallow and tastless as my peers. It's beyond me how an album that has popped up on practically every Critics' Top 10 list (usually in the top half) can not get even ONE nomination. This album is simply brilliant. It's the first one I've bought in 4 yrs, where I can listen to EVERY single track. The melodies are completely infectious and the most refreshing I've heard in awhile. And the lyrics are nothing short of witty and biting for the rockers and ballads alike. More than anything, I love how Robbie is able to bring together different genres of music (you can feel influence from hip-hop to rock to Frank Sinatra) yet some how make it sound like one cohesive style that's all Robbie, instead of some cheesy compilation album. Kudos to Robbie and his band for making pop tolerable again. If quality is what really mattered in American music (industry), instead of image, he would have been a household name by now.