In & Out of Consciousness: Ultimate Edition [Import]

Robbie Williams | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 12, 2010)
• Number of Discs: 6
• Format: Import
• Label: 101 DISTRIBUTION
• ASIN: B003YDUUH8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  DVD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #169,667 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

See all items

Editorial Reviews

Definitive hits collection on 2 CDs plus an additional 3rd disc of b-sides and rarities, all in a 20-page casebound book package.

Includes the brand new single "Shame", co-written with Gary Barlow. The single marks the first time the two superstars have ever recorded and performed a duet together, and the first time they have written and recorded a song together since Robbie's departure from Take That in 1995.

With a staggering 57 million album sales and 11 million singles sold, Robbie Williams has been breaking records over the course of his whole career. 7 No 1 UK albums meant he is easily the biggest selling solo artist in UK history, a fact reinforced by his 2010 Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution To Music. In fact, with a tally of 16, he has won more Brits than any other artist since the awards began, including "Angels" being voted the best single of the last 25 years. A plethora of other record-breaking awards include a Guinness World Record for fastest ever ticket sales, coupled with the honor of playing the largest open-air concert in UK history, at Knebworth in 2003 have meant that his status as a live performer has equalled his massive achievements as a recording artist.

Robbie Williams said: "It's incredible to listen to the album and realize that it s already been 20 years of making music and playing gigs. And the great thing about the album is that it's not only a celebration of my past but also a bridge to the future. The fact that part of the future includes a name from my past makes it all the more poignant for me". --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The King Of British Pop Closes Off An Amazing Chapter, October 12, 2010

By 

Deep83 "the deeper I go" (Ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In & Out of Consciousness: Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

(Note: This review is for the 6-Disc Ultimate Edition. It was written when the reviews for all 3 editions were merged together, for some reason amazon moved my review to one of the other editions)

Being a big fan of Robert Williams, I was extremely excited at the idea of him releasing a career-spanning comprehensive collection of hits, music videos and b-sides. Already having released his first Greatest Hits album back in 2004 which spanned his first 5 studio albums, Robbie now brings us In And Out Of Consciousness, which oversees all of those albums as well as his 3 albums since. And while Greatest Hits omitted some of his singles, this new collection includes ALL of his solo UK singles to date. The first 2 CD's contain 39 tracks including 2 new songs, "Shame" (UK Peak Position #2) and "Heart and I", as well as his rare first solo single "Freedom" (UK Peak Position #2), which was a cover of the George Michael song. Robbie's version had been previously unreleased on any album until now) and a sole track from his original tenure with Take That ("Everything Changes" (UK #1)).

The songs on the first 2 discs run in reverse chronological order, starting with the 2 new songs, then from the newest hits to the older classics.

From Robbie's 1997 debut solo album, LIFE THRU A LENS, the singles "Old Before I Die" (UK #2), "Lazy Days" (UK #8), "South Of The Border (UK #14), "Angels" (UK #4), and "Let Me Entertain You" (UK #3) are included. The songs showcase the rock-n-roll / pop beginning of Robbie's career, with "Angels" being his signature song.

From 1998's I'VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU, all 4 of the singles are here: "Millennium" (UK #1), "No Regrets" (UK #4), "Strong" (UK #4), and "She's The One", which was released as a double A-side with the non-album track "It's Only Us" [UK double-A side #1], which is also included in this set. By this point, the songwriting in his work was a bit more mature, and the production more solid. "Win Some, Lose Some", another track from the album, was released only in New Zealand as the final single, and is sadly not included on this greatest hits collection.

Robbie's third album, 2000's SING WHEN YOU'RE WINNING, produced 6 big international hits: "Rock DJ" (UK #1), "Kids" with Kylie Minogue (UK #2), "Supreme" (UK #4), "Let Love Be Your Energy" (UK #10), the double a-side release "Eternity" (at the time, a non-album track) coupled with "The Road To Mandalay" (UK #1), and "Better Man", which was only released in Australia, New Zealand, and South America. With this album, Robbie had found his stride, and had become a bonafide pop star. All of these singles are included on IN AND OUT OF CONSCIOUSNESS with the exception of "Better Man", one of Robbie's best songs ever, in my opinion. This is understandable because the song was not a UK single, but I feel that an exception could have been made for this beautiful song.

From Robbie's one-off 2001 swing standards album SWING WHEN YOU'RE WINNING, his duet with Nicole Kidman, "Somethin' Stupid (UK #1) is featured, as well as the European only double a-side tracks "Mr. Bojangles" and "I Will Talk And Hollywood Will Listen".

In my opinion, 2002's ESCAPOLOGY is still Robbie's all-time best album, easily shown by 4 excellent singles: "Feel" (UK #4. i still can't believe this didn't chart higher!), "Come Undone" (UK #4), "Something Beautiful" (UK #3), and "Sexed Up" (UK #10), which had originally been released as an acoustic b-side back in 1998 on the "No Regrets" single.

In 2004, Robbie's first GREATEST HITS album was released, and featured 2 new singles: "Radio" (UK #1), and "Misunderstood" (UK #8). Both songs are included on this new hits set as well, which kind of renders the original GREATEST HITS useless, except for the gorgeous album covers.

2005's INTENSIVE CARE contributes the 3 official singles "Tripping" (UK #2), "Advertising Space" (UK #8) and "Sin Sin Sin" (UK #22, at the time his first solo single to miss the top 20), as well as the airplay only single "Make Me Pure".

2006's underrated electronic/dance RUDEBOX album also contributes 3 singles: "Rudebox" (UK #4), "Lovelight" (UK #8) and "She's Madonna" (UK #16). "Bongo Bong" was released as a single in Europe and South America but is not featured on this collection.

From Robbie's latest album, 2009's REALITY KILLED THE VIDEO STAR, the featured singles are "Bodies" (UK #2), "You Know Me" (UK #6) and"Morning Sun" (UK #45, his lowest-charting UK single to date).

The third CD is where all of the major flaws come in for me. This is the disc of B-sides and Rarities. First things first: Robbie has nearly eighty (80!) b-side / non-album / compilation-only tracks (most of those being -b-sides) yet they only serve us up ONE disc including 18 tracks. Seriously?? To add insult to injury, the selection of some of the tracks that they DO include are questionable ("Lonestar Rising"? "Do Me Now"?? These are FAR from his best.) Where are "Ugly Love", "Come Take Me Over", "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye", "Berliner Star", "Appliance Of Science", "Bag Full Of Silly", etc.??? There are a few b-sides that exist only on DVD singles that should have been included because most people cannot rip DVD audio very easily into am mp3. The b-sides section should have been 3 discs, AT LEAST. and what about some remixes thrown in for good measure?


This Ultimate Edition also features 2 DVD's (Discs 4 and 5) with all of the videos of the songs featured on the first 2 CD's. It's going to be nice to have all the official videos in once place for the first time, although I wish they had included some bonuses like the U.S. version of "Angels" or other fan-release videos like "Dance With The Devil" and "A Place To Crash".

The 6th disc is a DVD of a previously unreleased 2005 concert in Berlin, Germany.


Also worthy of note is that the digital edition of this album feature 2 bonus previoulsy unreleased tracks "Dogs And Birds" and "Email From A Vampire". They should have added both of these the physical CD. You would think they would want to give people more of an incentive to buy the actual product to help the already dying cd industry.

Overall, this collection is a nice, comprehensive taster of Robbie's history, and it is done beautifully, but I sincerely hope there is a complete, massive audio anthology collection on its way in the next few years.

EDIT 10/18/2010:

I finally received my copies of all the editions. Here are some additional notes:

AMERICAN STANDARD 2-CD Edition: Comes in a jewel case that holds both discs
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD 2-CD Edition: Comes in a trifold cardboard case with one disc inserted on each of the side flaps, and a booklet in the middle.
INTERNATIONAL AND AMERICAN DELUXE 3-CD Edition: Comes in a CD sized casebound book with the same basic booklet as the standard edition, but with a few additional additional photos.
INTERNATIONAL ULTIMATE EDITION (not available as an American Edition): comes in a longer version of the Deluxe packaging at 2 times the length. The booklet is much more expanded with lyrics, release dates, single cover, and UK chart positions. One of the first things I noticed is that the release date and peak position for Tripping is incorrect. Sorry, but I am a nerd and minor details like this get on my nerves SO much. The bad news is that the discs are inserted into flaps on the side panels, and then almost rub up against each other so there is plenty of opportunity for scratches on the discs with time. USA FANS: The DVD's WILL NOT Play in standard usa players (At least it didn't on mine). You will need a multi region player.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best you could hope for in a Robbie Williams collection, October 13, 2010

By 

M. Herzog (chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In & Out of Consciousness: Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

Creating a greatest hits album is already problematic, as invariably someone will complain there's been something left out. When Robbie Williams came out with his first greatest hits album about 6 years ago, it was a single disc album, that arguably contained the necessary singles, but was nothing I'd recomend to get into the artist. This album is different. In & Out of consciousness is a perfect summary of his career, and an even better introduction to those unfamiliar with Robbie Williams carreer. Unlike most greatest hits album, this album has a good progression, feeling almost like your taking a step back through his carreer with him. The album starts with a pair of new songs, both co-written by former band mate (and former rival) Gary Barlow. Both songs are very good, and fit comfortably within the Robbie Williams cannon. Thereafter, the album proceeds from album to album, from newest to oldest, carefully balancing the fast paced songs with the ballads. The album takes you through his more recent experimental songs, to his forray into swing music, to the biggest pop star in europe early days, and even includes his first single (not on any album) freedom, and even a take that song. Its a pleasure to listen to the whole way through, and the best introduction to Robbie's carrier I could think. Highly recomended.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Complete but.....censored !, November 23, 2010

By 

Ooi Yeow Pin (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In & Out of Consciousness: Ultimate Edition (Audio CD)

5 stars for almost everything, such as Robbie himself, all the singles released from his solo career and also all the music videos but why the songs is censored ?

Another thing is the selling price from Amazon is too high !!! I bought the ultimate edition with USD80.97 including delivery charges and sadly i found this item in my country, the selling price is only USD38, what a rip off.