The Take That boy has come a long way and returns to the fray with his 11th album. Though his music is not really making great chart history, as a person he is in the news for all the wrong reasons, when early last year we heard he had a tiff with Led Zeppelin Singer Jimmy Page when the latter moved into the neighborhood and later hitting out at Russians in his song Party Like a Russian.

His new album has nothing much to write home about, few catchy melodies, not too any great hooks, and lyrics that are really just not great shakes. Williams 2013 album ‘Swing Both Ways’ was probably the last topper that we heard from the singer. On this album, Williams has his trusted songwriter Guy Chambers to guide him all through the way. It pays in some way.  

The album opener is a big brass set up and big sound that gets a two-star rating. Party Like a Russian saves the day a bit with a pop effect and as a headlining single it should be a party anthem for some time. The song uses a sample of Sergei Prokofiev's 'Dance of the Knights' (better known as the Apprentice theme to most of the UK).

Mixed Signals could be one of the standouts of the album for its electric guitar undertone that gives off an '80s power-anthem style. Penned by The Killers, the chorus has Williams taking control with some sharp vocals. Love of my Life is co-written by the Snow Patrol boys with some zesty humor in its lyrics that go "I love my life / I am powerful / I am beautiful / I am free." We see no reason why Williams has a song Bruce Lee here, unless of course it would probably be a tribute to the martial artist of the same name whose name literally rules the world.

Cutting down the tempo a bit we have the slightly infectious Sensitive, a soulful love song with a funky bassline and good beats. David's Song an out and out tribute to Robbie's long-time manager David Enthoven, who sadly passed away last year. The lyrics are good and we really mean it and so does Williams. "Please, don't let me go / While they play the last song ever / The last chance to hold each other forever…."

Brit boy Ed Sheeran comes in for songwriting duties with Pretty Woman, not the one you love from Roy Orbison, but a totally new twist to the name and maybe a concert favorite if performed at one. The last we suggest on this 11 track 39-minute album is Hotel Crazy, that features a bit of jazz with Rufus Wainwright who also appeared on his ‘Swings Both Ways’ album.

Pop is what Williams is known for and he sticks to it all the way. There are a few good moments that prove Robbie Williams is still someone worth paying attention to.

Rating ****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira