Escapology

Robbie Williams | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 1, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B00008MNYS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (165 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,268 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Feel

2. Monsoon

3. Sexed Upn

4. Get a Little High

5. Come Undone

6. Something Beautiful

7. Love Somebody

8. Revolution

9. How Peculiar

10. One Fine Day

11. Me and My Monkey

12. World's Most Handsome Man

13. Nan's Song

14. How Peculiar (Reprise)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

He's tried his hand at indie-rock, big-band swing, and brash pop music. So where does Robbie Williams' fifth album take the popular British entertainer? Escapology is a a serious attempt to make music that's equally artistically credible and commercially accessible. Williams has matured into an adult-orientated rock/pop performer. Indeed, tead single, "Feel," wouldn't sound misplaced when played along with Phil Collins and David Gray; the singer's heartfelt vocals elevate it above routine radio fare. The highlight here is the epic ballad "Love Somebody," as Williams pushes his voice to its limits atop a lush backdrop of brooding strings and a gospel choir. The heavier rock numbers are impressively produced. However, while they feel like attempts to pay homage to Oasis, they wind up sound more like Toploader. Williams continues to harp on about what a hard time he has being a pop star ("How Peculiar," "Something Beautiful"). To fit his newfound maturity, there is less self parody in the lyrics, although his sense of humor shines though on "Handsome Man" and "Me & My Monkey." Escapology also features the first track written entirely by Williams--"Nan's Song"--is a simple, moving tribute to his late grandmother. --David Trueman

Product Description

Followup to the UK superstar's 2001 album, 'Swing When You're Winning', which has sold more than five million copies. 12 of the 15 tracks (including hidden track) were co-written with longtime collaborator Guy Chambers, who also co-produced. Chrysalis. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Robbie's best album yet, April 12, 2003

By 

Erica Anderson (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Escapology (Audio CD)

I'm not a big fan of pop music by all means but every now and then I will make an exception because the artist/band actually has talent and puts out music that isn't so contrived and ridiculously cheesy (in a bad way). Robbie Williams is one of those pop artists whose music is actually enjoyable to listen to. I loved his covers album "Swing When You're Winning" but that cd was only available as an import. "Sing When You're Winning" was good but it was a flawed album. Still that album is by far better than Avril Lavigne, Vanessa Carlton, and Pink's albums combined. Robbie's US debut "The Ego Has Landed" was a solid [US] debut album with one or two misses on a mostly consistent album. Why Robbie isn't popular in this country is beyond me? After listening to "Escapology" I sure hope he doesn't get the shaft again by the American public. "Escapology" is by far Robbie's best album released on this side of the Atlantic ocean. I guess people don't get his cheeky British humor like on the song "Me and My Monkey" and on "Rock DJ" from "Sing When You're Winning". What I like about Robbie Williams so much is that he doesn't take himself remotely seriously unlike his American peers Justin Timberlake (blech!) and Christina Aguilera. I think Robbie's songwriting skills have improved over the years. Although he still collaborated with longtime writing partner Guy Chambers, Robbie has branched out and wrote a few songs with Boots Ottestad and even one song "One Fine Day" by himself. All the songs are incredibly infectious and catchy. I loved every song on this cd and didn't find one I didn't like unlike his previous albums. I sure hope Robbie gets the recognition that he so deserves now that he is on a different record company. Capital Records did a horrible job of [not] promoting Robbie as an artist. "Escapology" deserves the publicity and airplay as any other pop artist receives.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars He's got it, March 4, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Escapology (Audio CD)

This kind of straight-ahead pop (and it is that) usually is not to my taste, but I saw Williams in concert on a Europe MTV special and bought this CD out of curiosity. Sure enough, it is written and produced for the mass market, running the superfical gamut of styles, and upon first listen I was wondering if I had made a mistake. Then the clincher: this guy can sing. I mean, he can REALLY sing! Indeed, it his ability to cover it all that enables the album to be so eclectic. Consequently, after a second or third playing, I was mesmerized. The in-your-face, unapologetic self-absortion of this artist may not be appealing, but Robbie Williams can't be ignored. His confident, superior styling simply enhances his delivery. Granted, this package is certainly not without its flaws with some songs that are at best forgettable, but, in the end, there are enough clever and intriguing selections (a few which caused the release to be censored) to make for a pleasing musical experience. Above all else, however, it is the voice that is the reward; it is the main reason I recommend this to others and why I have also suprisingly become a fan.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The album to break Robbie in the U.S.?, April 2, 2003

By 

Kevinduran (Indianapolis, Indiana USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Escapology (Audio CD)

Hopefully so.

Robbie is a worldwide superstar, on the same level as Madonna, everywhere but here in the U.S. Why? Maybe his cheeky British persona doesn't translate well to U.S. audiences. I'm not sure, and I don't understand why because other British acts with less talent than Robbie have had major success on these shores. It really makes no sense, but it might have had something to do with Capitol Records failure to market Robbie's U.S. releases. (Capitol did a horrible job with Duran Duran in the mid-to-late 90's- so it's not like they don't have some sort of track record with screwing up big acts careers!)

With "Escapology" Robbie has jumped the Capitol ship and has moved to Virgin Records. Hopefully they'll know what to do with him. The first single is "Feel" and it is easily one of the catchiest and hit-worthy tunes of 2003. There is actual songwriting going on here kids- that's something that is up for debate on most of what appears on today's hit parade. There is no mistaking what Robbie is singing- each song tells a story. This is an artist with something to say. It may be a bit bittersweet at times, but it never turns out preachy. He says exactly what is on his mind as is evidenced by the parental warning sticker that appears on the cover. The language doesn't go over in a rap-styled, offensive, "hide your kids ears" sort of way at all. Lyrically it's just very real, heartfelt, confessional, and at all times highly listenable.

One of the interesting things about Robbie's music is that it really doesn't strike a chord as being overly British at all. In fact, "Escapology" is his most "American" sounding effort yet. It doesn't sound like a calculated move to sell cd's either. "Escapology" might not grab you with hook laden arrangements like anything from "The Ego Has Landed" or "Sing When You're Winning", but everything starts clicking after subsequent spins. There aren't any obvious poppy songs here like "Millennium" or "Rock DJ". This is a more serious side of Robbie. But don't worry, you can't help but feel that his tongue isn't far from his cheek.

What you get here is 14 more Robbie Williams gems. There's not a stinker in the bunch.

You have to love any album where out of nowhere comes a reference to Sheena Easton! ("Me And My Monkey")

I know it's only April, but this is my album of the year (so far).