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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).


He Put the "Brit" in "Celebrity.   April 7, 2003
 9 out of 13 found this review helpful

Robbie Williams is full of himself. You know it. I know it. And obviously, Williams knows it, too. After all, this is a guy who blurts out in "Handsome Man," "It's not very complicated/I'm just young and overrated." But whatever your take on Robbie is, there's no denying his animated personality. His breezy new album, "Escapology," is a huge improvement over his last studio disc of original songs, 2000's "Sing When You're Winning." Reuniting with (and then firing) his longtime songwriting buddy Guy Chambers, Robbie's new album has the songwriting craft of Elton John and the Beatles, coupled with the stage presence of a twentysomething Freddie Mercury. The American version has a different tracklisting than the UK version (for one, there's no "Cursed," a bitter kiss off to alleged paramour Geri Halliwell), but it works just as well. "Feel" is worthy of the US Top Ten status it achieved across the Atlantic, while "Me and My Monkey," a seven minute track replete with Spanish horns, stands out pretty well. And, there's the tribute to his grandmother, titled "Nan's Song." This is a disc of fine pop you can listen to without ever hitting the "skip" button. But will "Escapology" make him a star in a country already in love with the Justin Timberlakes, 50 Cents, and Avril Lavignes dominating our airwaves? It's tough to say. America is no easy market to penetrate, but if we sleep on a disc as fine as this, the loss will certainly be ours.


Words can't really describe how awful this is, but here goes   April 17, 2003
 9 out of 22 found this review helpful

I've known about Robbie since before 1995 when I lived in Amsterdam and he was part of the group Take That. While he has obvious stage presence and talent as an entertainer, his abilities as a songwriter are strictly limited. Limited to writing about himself. Let me summarize. He's depressed. He has a hard time with celebrity. Out of curiousity (and hoping he'd done something worth my time) I listened to Escapology at the megastore downtown and I've got to wonder, what were he and his record company thinking? This is the same egotistical [stuff] that was on his first CDs. Except that now he sounds like some MOR-on like Michael Bolton. I kept fast-forwarding and couldn't believe it when I reached the last track -- Escapology has even fewer beats than Sing While You're Winning (which I unfortunately bought without listening to first). That one went straight to the public library. All his fans wonder why he isn't big here in the States. They criticize American listeners and say we don't understand the humor, the sarcasm, the irony. If that's so, why does Eminem sell and not Robbie? Perhaps because one has the cred to back it up and the other doesn't? Honestly, spend your money on something else.


Robbie Can Do No Wrong   April 28, 2003
 9 out of 11 found this review helpful

Why this fabulous talent is not one of the hottest pop stars in the US, as he is in his native UK, will forever remain a mystery to me. His talent knows no bounds, as this fifth album aptly shows. From his released-as-a-single "Come Undone," which is simply classic Robbie, to the intense "Feel" to the enigmatic "Me and My Monkey," to all the emotions he can express like no other, Robbie has come up with another winner.

The first time I listened to this CD all the way through, I had it piped through the windows at full blast--while I planted a rose. It was one of life's better experiences. Those who know and appreciate the depth of this incredibly versatile (and very sexy) man will completely understand. No genre is beneath--or beyond--Robbie's notice, and he has opened up my eyes and ears to whole new musical experiences, time and time again.

For those who have not treated themselves to a CD by Robbie Williams, "Escapology" is a perfect place to start. For the rest of us, there's more Robbie to appreciate and love.