Customer Reviews

Intensive Care

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Poor Robert Peter Williams - more than twenty UK hits under his belt, but still a mere blip on the US radar. Always the underdog, he was voted "Take That" member least likely to succeed, and dismissed by Noel Gallagher of Oasis as "That fat dancer from Take That".

Having resurrected his career with the 1997 mega-ballad "Angels", the tattooed bad boy took off from there with hit after hit, despite being largely ignored on the music charts between Canada and Mexico. Although a US resident, Robbie didn't intend to release this album stateside even though it was recorded in LA, but eager fans started grabbing the album from iTunes as soon as it was released in that format.

Firing his opening shot with "Tripping", a reggae-backed song reminiscent of "Dreadlock Holiday" by 10CC and "Overkill" by Men at Work, he follows up with the sweet ballad "Advertising Space".

A sample of the lyrics from "Tripping" seems to tell his tale:

"First they ignore you
Then laugh at you and hate you
Then they fight you - then you win"

Most of the album is typical Robbie Williams, but having been two years in the making, it is lyrically improved over his other albums. You can pick up influences of Shawn Mullins "Lullaby", and John Mellencamp's "Small Town" on "Spread Your Wings", and do a little `80s reminiscing on "Your Gay Friend" and "Sin Sin Sin",

Never one to pass up a little humor, the almost religious "Make Me Pure" includes the tongue in cheek lyrics:

"Oh Lord
Make me pure
But not yet"

Another fun album from Robbie Williams with twelve good songs - will this be THE ONE to finally make him a part of the mainstream USA pop scene? You'll be the judge of that. Rated 4.5 stars

Amanda Richards

I should share some background before giving my review.

Before this past summer, I knew Robbie only through his one and only US hit, "Millennium," from 1999. I always had hoped to hear more music from him, but that never happened here.

Flash forward to this past summer. I, like many millions of other people around the world, watched the Live 8 concerts this summer on-demand via the web. In the home stretch of the London concert, who appears on stage but Robbie Williams. Knowing next to nothing about him at that time (he, unfortunately, is very much an obscurity here, as many have noted and rightfully pined) I was absolutely FLOORED not only by his talent as an artist but also by his absolutely amazing skills as a performer. There very much is a distinction between the two skills...I have seen many talented artists who are mediocre or downright awful entertainers. Robbie, in the short 20 minutes that he was on stage, demonstrated an incredible talent to take a crowd of several hundred thousand people and wrap every single one of them around his finger. Talent like this on stage is a one-in-a-million kind of thing, and I can compare him to but a few acts who, in their own right and in their own times, were legends on stage. It absolutely blew me away, and I replayed that portion of the concert probably 100 times over the summer.

I got wind that Robbie released a new album and I was hell-bent on getting a copy of it, never before hearing any of his material off of an album. I ordered this album, it arrived last week, and I have had a steady diet of Robbie since it arrived to give me a chance to appreciate this work fully. After many hours of absorbing this album, I came to a conclusion:

This album is excellent.

"Ghosts" is a great song. While others have said that this song may supercede "Angels" as the audience-favorite anthem, I do not agree...but it is a great song nonetheless. "Tripping" is his first single from the album, and it is a pretty strong song. My favorites may be the songs which are extremely funny to me: "Your Gay Friend" and "A Place to Crash." I mean, really...how can you not love songs whose choruses begin

"And I'll be your gay friend / 'cuz your marriage never ends"

and

"Find a place to crash / Move your boney ass"

The remainder of the songs, too, are quite good. There are a couple of slower songs to match the up-tempo songs, but there are no "true ballads" on this album. I have to spend some more time with this album to gain a better appreciation of a couple of the songs (I'm not placing all of the references), but on the whole it is an excellent album from a truly gifted artist.

"Greatest Hits" are on their way...can't wait.

Robbie, brother...you hooked another one here in the US.

"First they ignore you
Then laugh at you and hate you
Then they fight you - then you win"

That title refers to the mystery of why Robbie Williams is the biggest singing star in the world EXCEPT the US. I guess we are too busy lauding vapid "talent" like Mariah Carey and Eminem. Too bad for the US but if you want something fresh and not run of the mill - you could not do much better than Robbie Williams. His new cd marks a bit of a departure from his previous releases. He has a new collaborator in Stephen Duffy and has matured a bit as a songwriter. That's not to say that Robbie's signature branch of cheeky bravado isn't watered down - it is just infused with a new flavor. All in all a solid release.

First off let me admit that I have been a fan of Robbie ever since Angels, which hardly makes me unique. Secondly, I genuinely believe that Robbie Williams is perhaps the greatest performer the UK has ever produced. However after his split from Guy Chambers who Robbie had once described as "as much a part of Robbie Williams as I am", I must confess i initially had my doubts about his future, particularly after hearing his subsequent singles, Radio and Misunderstood.

How wrong was I? With the release of Intensive Care, Robbie has vanquished all doubts about his credibility as a songwriter and emerged triumphant with what is almost certainly his most mature effort to date. And i don't see any road back for Mr Chambers now...

My favourite track is "Advertising Space" a ballad about Elvis Presley, you can almost see the video already,; clips of Elvis interspersed with Robbie singing earnestly. I love this track and maybe this will be the one to launch him in America, although for Mr Williams that might turn out to be a mixed blessing. Other stand out tracks include "Make Me Pure", "Tripping" "Please Don't Die", "Your Gay Friend" and "Sin, Sin, Sin". I think there are a couple of weaker tracks but there is also plenty of Rob's usual irony and self-deprecating wit and charm (and a little ham) on display here.

In summary, there is plenty here to keep his existing fan base happy and more than enough ammunition to silence the doubters and attract new fans. Oh and two potentially massive singles in "Make Me Pure" and "Advertising Space", although I'm sure other people will have different favourites. Four stars ****.

Listening to this album started off as a direct comparison to Escapology which is a mistake. This album is a lot more sophisticated than some of Robbie's previous works, but it is still excellent album. I have to admit that the first time I listened to Intensive Care, I was less than happy, but it has actually grown into one of my favorite albums. His lyrics never disappoint in their witty and creative nature. I highly recommend this album and if at first you don't like....don't give up.

My liking of Robbie Williams sits out of cilter with most of the music I listen too. But in the same respect I love good story tellers in music and after all that is what Mr Williams does best. That and his [...]-sure attitude that makes it hard to hate him for too long. I am not sure how others will feel but I see a similarity between him and the great story teller Alice Cooper. Infact a great deal they are two of rock/pops best entertainers who don't mind mixing up the themes in any given release. Both have a razor blade hidden amongst even the sweetest of lyrics.

So onto the music well certainly with a change in partnership there will be change. Certainly the songs offered are far more meloncholy (bar one or two) but really this is the way the material has been heading for some time, especially on previous release 'Escapology'. He is growing up. He always has a lot to say about it and says it in abundance. There are songs of not feeling worthy of love, regret of lacking love, self doubt whilst living the high life where to the outsider everything is to be envyed. Occasionally slipping into a Bowie-esque trance we have 'Spread Your Wings', and then a tint of UK Ska early eighties in 'Tripping'. 'Ghosts' is a great opener which almost displays disbelief from Williams that he is still standing and people are still prepared to listen. 'Make Me Pure' is stripped and wears its heavy heart on its sleeve very nice indeed really being an aucoustic led piece of poetry. 'Advertising Space' is sublime in the same way that 'Feel' was. A tribute to Elvis and celebrity, it is completed by a very nice orchestration that swoons in the back ground. 'Please Don't Die' is low key and is the owner of a great chorus and again Bowie like phrasing. 'Your Gay Friend' seems a little like filler and a little too lite for this great release, perhaps a grower later. 'Sin Sin Sin' is electronic pop much like 'Radio' if not a little cheerier a summer hit for sure. The female vocals used in conjunction with Robbie's voice add a new element. 'Random Acts of Kindness' has an Eastern mysticysm attached and is blunt in asking at each bridge why people just can't get along and show each other basic respect. 'The Trouble With Me' is surely The Smiths with a little less angst and continues the high quality. The Stones obviously came into the studio for 'A Place To Crash' a great party song that will go down a storm live with doo wop horns and brassy female backing singers. Great! William's seems to like to end things on a sombre note and does again with 'King of Bloke and Bird' another therapy session it would seem and a look into his future in his thrirties, he seems to fear loosing youth. A little blue perhaps its predecessor would have been a better closer.

So there we have it. An artist who is as British as a seaside holiday in a caravan and loved in his home land and many parts of the world as a result. Don't forget though to appreciate how fine a song writer and singer he is too.

the rest of the world recognizes this mans talents, why is he not as wildly popular in America as he is all over the world?...

Robbies lyrics are thought provoking and some of the most imaginative of any artist on the planet...

this CD marks a new beginning in Robbies career, with a new songwriting partner... its great and a must have...
America, get it, enjoy it & see why the rest of the world has made him a superstar...

I was nervous, I must admit. After I heard the news that Robbie and Guy Chambers were going their separate ways, I did not think that Robbie's next album would live up to its predecessors. I am happy to admit that I was wrong.

The opening song, "Ghosts", is truly haunting (no pun intended....well, maybe a bit). It is my favourite song on the album. It is about love lost, which seems to be a topic that Robbie speaks of quite often.

"Tripping" is a brilliant single. It took me a few listens before I warmed up to it, but I now enjoy its reggae and pop infusion quite thoroughly.

Other faves on the album include "Advertising Space" (his next single), "Please Don't Die", "Sin Sin Sin", and "A Place To Crash".

All in all, Robbie is evolving as an artist, this time without the security of Guy to back him up. Robbie is moving on, and it shows. I have to say that this CD is definitely on my list of favourite albums of all time.

I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.

Robbie has not grown much lyrically - but he has definitely grown as a person in Intensive Care. Most of the songs on this album are about the hard times he's gone through, as opposed to earlier releases like Life Thru A Lens, that were lighter, mood-wise. Although this is relatively more serious, Robbie still dishes out his usual cheeky self in tracks like "Spread Your Wings", "Your Gay Friend" and "Make Me Pure".

Not as strong as I've Been Expecting You, but an enjoyable listen nevertheless.

Robbie is incredible! I received this CD as a gift. How lucky am I? My gift to you fellow Americans is to treat yourself to an unplayed, undiscovered talent in this country. I cannot wait to see this guy if and when he comes to America. Robbie, if you read this, I need two tickets and backstage passes in Atlanta so I can meet your talented self!

This CD is so diversified. Advertising space is one of the prettiest ballads I have ever heard and would be a great promo for Gentleman Jack. "A place to crash" has a Stones feel to it. It made me want to get up and do a Mick Jagger dance. I feel a remix coming out of this one. You also have "King of Bloke and Bird". This song would make Pink Floyd proud!

Oh my GOD! "Make me Pure" This song moved me to tears! It's telling God to make him pure, but just not yet. This is something that I could relate to, but never heard anyone write about and with the angelic choir in the background, it touched me deeply.

Robbie, Robbie, Robbie, you are truly a gift!