Printable version of thread

Posted by: pippa 16th July 2019, 07:11 PM

I have included 15 Take That albums for you to choose fromreleased between 1992 and 2018.
You can vote for the albums you like the most and also the least.

It is a multiple choice poll.

Please vote and post your choices.

Posted by: pippa 17th July 2019, 03:51 PM

The Circus is their very best album.
I voted both The Circus and Beautiful World.

Wonderland got my vote for least enjoyable album.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 17th July 2019, 11:56 PM

Best The Circus
Worst Nobody Else

The circus is my clear fave but I also love the first 2 albums,beautiful world and the live albums and ultimate collection.Three and progress have some great moments too.Wonderland nearly had my worst vote but I wasnt expecting that to be a great album but I expected more from nobody else although I love never forget.

Posted by: pippa 18th July 2019, 11:19 AM

Nobdoy Else does house some fine moments but it was a move away from their more pop sound on the previous 2 albums.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 18th July 2019, 08:19 PM

Sure is the number 1 I would swap out for another track to have beem number 1 and outside never forget and back for good I feel the same about the album.

Posted by: pippa 20th July 2019, 01:28 PM

Would welcome some other people voting here.
The Take That side of things really feels to have got lost in here since the forums merged.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 20th July 2019, 06:15 PM

Ya take that part does feel a bit lost here but then things are quiet on the take that front aswell.

Posted by: nirvanamusic 20th July 2019, 07:51 PM

Best: I'm in minority it would seem but for me it's Nobody Else.

The song writing, group vocals and songs were at their strongest and this showed in fact album embodies Take That's global peak success EVER.
There are continents, namely North and South America were this was their only successful studio album, that was for a reason. Their image was at strongest/sleekest and album packed with some very under-rated songs.

They broke America top 10 as a four in late 1995 with Back For Good, though I could see 'The Day After Tomorrow' becoming another global hit and top 40 US follow up. Moody and very of it's time and US radio friendly. A follow up video shot in NYC to capitalise on recent US success, however we know what came next instead.

I'm sure I read TDAT was due to be next single had they stayed together.

Worst: Take That & Party: It's personality, charm and potential future greatness (A Million love Songs) are it's strengths. However, production, cheesy songs and lyrics for majority of album let it down and vocals weren't as great/strong as from second album onwards.

Posted by: dylandog 21st July 2019, 10:27 AM

For me the choice has been simple:
1. Beautiful World
2. The Circus

I've loved songs from other albums such as The Flood, Eight Letters, WYBTFM and so on, but none of their other albums have enough depth in terms of quality. I dislike Wonderland intensely and seriously hope their next album, assuming there is one, isn't experimental and harks back to BW and TC.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 21st July 2019, 07:23 PM

Wonderland lacks identity, the album could be by anyone which makes it very disappointing all round.

Posted by: pippa 22nd July 2019, 01:56 PM

Wonderland is the album they most lost their sound with.
Giants is catchy, but 3rd single catchy, not lead single material as it was not strong enough.
They need to figure out their sound for the next album (whenever that will happen).
We have said they have nothing to prove and are entitled to experiment but they need to give the fans what they want to.
Without the fans they will go nowhere, if the next album was similar to Wonderland i would not buy it.
Odyssey i only purchased to have for my collection but i don't listen to it much as i listen to all their originals.

Posted by: dylandog 22nd July 2019, 03:52 PM

I actually think they lost their direction from Progress onwards. They flattered to deceive with that album. It was a huge seller off the back of Rob's return and a very strong lead single in TF, which wasn't really representative of the album as a whole. It went further downhill from that point onwards. I've never quite understood why they moved so far from their signature sound and I'd love to know if it was a joint decision, or if GB took a back seat role. I say that because Gary's solo album and the songs he's written for Calendar Girls and FN have been very traditional and pop/ballad orientated.

If they still want to remain 'relevant' they need to give their fan base/ casual fans the type of music they expect. The importance of a great lead single can't be underestimated and their hasn't been a truly great one since TF. Eventually this will also impact on tour sales which is their main money earner. I'm with you Pippa, I've always bought their albums since the 2006 comeback but next time if I don't like what they've produced I wont buy it - and I think many others will be of a similar mind.

Posted by: pippa 22nd July 2019, 04:22 PM

To a level i agree about Progress, The Flood (amazing song) is not representative of the album, Progress is not in any way as good as The Circus or Beautiful World but it has some strong moments.
Three started so strongly with These Days another track i find brilliant and i enjoy and it resulted in what is now most likely their last Number 1 single.
Gary's Since I Saw You Last was a wonderful album and your point about Gary possibly taken a back seat with the sound and direction on Take That is very valid as his solo album certainly delivered what the fans wanted.
This album was a much better album than Progress/Progressed, Three and Wonderland and reflective of what the fans wanted to hear, it was fresh, uplifting and also housed some great ballads.

100% with you with your point on the importance of a lead single, lead singles can often determine success or failure for their parent albums.

Wonderland did not have this and they need the next era to open with a strong lead. These Days was a strong lead single but the album suffered with the follow up singles and their last few releases have lacked a big ballad which is a signature sound they are not just known for but are very successful for.

In the past i rush out to buy their albums when released, i did not do this with Odyssey and based on Wonderland and Odyssey i will be holding off buying their next album until i hear the sound on offer as i wont waste my money on an album as weak as Wonderland.

Posted by: BadHabit 22nd July 2019, 07:57 PM

For me, Progress and Circus are a tie. Progress is overall top-notch album from top to bottom. Circus though has some questionable moments it does has a lot of heart in to it. Songs like Greatest Day and Hold up the Light are a masterpiece from them.

Take That and Party is just too young and doesn't age well at all.

I'm in a minority here that like Wonderland. At least more than III for sure. I was not impressed by III when it first came out even though I like several songs in it. III and Beautiful World are in the same category for me as in they are very formulaic. Beautiful World just have better songs.

Posted by: pippa 22nd July 2019, 08:09 PM

Progress has some questionable moments for myself with songs such as Flowerbed, affirmation and Pretty Things but it also has so much to offer.
The Circus, is warm, from the heart and very Take That from start to finish.
As a debut Take That and Party was right for them at that time and it still houses some wonderful tracks that remain great on the tours today.
Hold Up The Light is one of the biggest missed opportunities from Take That, easily should have became a single and a huge hit as it is extremely radio friendly.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 23rd July 2019, 02:32 AM

I like progress but its disjointed by having a few different sounds throughout the album.

Posted by: pippa 23rd July 2019, 03:08 PM

Progress had alot of influence by Robbie and i feel that is evident throughout the album.
The album was very different from their previous 2 releases but was extremely solid and Progressed had some good offerings too.
It was from this point the sound changed, they became more experimental, lost group members and to a level lost their way with sound as a group.
It would be interesting to know what Take That want to achieve when they come round to recording a new album but i think they really should pay attention to their fans.

Posted by: dylandog 23rd July 2019, 04:57 PM

Pippa, if I recall correctly they wanted a different sound for Progress to represent Rob's return. Gary and Rob were probably the primary movers with Mark dipping in with ideas. The impression I got from the documentary was that Jay and Howard took a back seat- and I clearly remember Jay having a rather awkward conversation with Rob about the lyrics for Eight Letters. Gary apparently wrote all the music before there were any lyrics and there is some beautiful music hidden in both Progress and Progressed. The intro to Wait for example, is really lovely. With Stuart Price as producer a different sound was always on the cards.

I hate the distorted sound on a lot of their recent music. Someone may be able to tell me otherwise but I'm sure Mark is the primary mover re this as he apparently likes this kind of sound. Unfortunately for them I'm not sure their fan base feel the same. A low point for me was the release of Hey Boy. I'm sure some people like it but I thought it was simply awful, an absolute stinker!!!

Posted by: pippa 23rd July 2019, 06:18 PM

Hey Boy and Out of Our Heads were both of sounds i feel did not suit Take That.
The sound change in recent releases may back up what you mention about Mark been the primary mover as the recent sound of music would be closer to Marks solo sound more so than Take That's, Gary's or even that by Robbie.
With Jason, i picked up Robbie returning was the catalyst in his decision to leave as i don't think Jason was too comfortable with his return.
Having Robbie back did great for nostalgia, it was good for the boys to make up and put all that in the past and it was a hugely successful album and tour.
That said, the magic of Take That's return and huge success was in part due to do with them been such huge underdogs, no one predicted the success that lay await and for a time (UK) Take That became much more popular than Robbie. There was many digs about "Take Who" when it was rumoured they were reforming for a one off tour and Greatest Hits.
Robbie returning in part took some of that away and after Robbie's return stint there was questions such as where do Take That go from here.
Jason leaving was another blow, combined with relatively drastic changes in sound, Take That for what they were loved for got lost.

Posted by: jay727 23rd July 2019, 09:47 PM

QUOTE(nirvanamusic @ Jul 20 2019, 08:51 PM)

QUOTE(Feel_The_Fever @ Jul 21 2019, 08:23 PM)

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 24th July 2019, 12:22 AM

Wonderland having 2 votes for their best album, like really? It is so so below their usual standards and I agree it sounds so rushed. III isnt a bad album at all and I love these days but the deluxe release was handled so badly. They really need to focus on their next album and fresh blood would help, single success is beyond them now, a top 40 lead single is prob the very best they can hope for but they could still sell albums if they get the material right and back it with good promotion.

After Wonderland and Odyssey I'm nervous of the next album as prior to these 2 albums I was never disappointed with their albumd especially since they reformed. I miss the good quality days of beautiful world and the circus. They did well for a long long time and the success was always going to dwindle which is fine but I just want music I enjoy from them again

Posted by: pippa 24th July 2019, 07:17 PM

Wonderland getting votes as their best certainly was not expected.
The chance of them having another hit single are low and as you said, a Top 40 place is the peak they will get.
Returning to what the fans like and enjoy will help boost their albums sales.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 29th July 2019, 10:22 PM

I really think it would help up interest in them but as I said I just want music that I really enjoy from them again.

Posted by: pippa 30th July 2019, 01:40 PM

As there is no mention of Take That working on new material it is likely we will see solo releases from both Gary and Mark before a new Take That album.
I know Gary really wanted to do his last solo album to as he said he wanted to "right the wrong" so i hope he has the courage to release again.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 30th July 2019, 09:35 PM

I'm sure Gary will do another solo album ad he will easily get a top 5.Mark may release too as it's been a while since his last album.

Posted by: coi 30th July 2019, 09:38 PM

I've gone for The Circus as best album and Wonderland as worst.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 31st July 2019, 02:32 AM

QUOTE(coi @ Jul 30 2019, 10:38 PM)

Posted by: pippa 31st July 2019, 01:51 PM

It would be so welcoming if Wonderland had managed platinum status as it is their only studio album that has failed to manage it.
From all their mainstream releases Wonderland and Progress live are the only 2 that have not reached platinum.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 1st August 2019, 02:15 AM

And I think both of them have very similar sales too.

Posted by: pippa 1st August 2019, 11:25 AM

The sales i believe are similar.
I was really disappointed with Progress Live missed the Top 10.
That said, it was the 3rd incarnation of the album in a close period so it may have been overkill.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 2nd August 2019, 01:20 AM

It prob was overkill but I was sure at the time it would easily go top 10 if not top 5.

Posted by: pippa 2nd August 2019, 12:28 PM

The Circus still in the lead is a result i welcome as its such a wonderful album.
Beautiful World in a close second which is also where i would place the album among their more than impressive catalogue.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 4th August 2019, 05:22 PM

I just love the circus album, I have never tired of it, I'd love another like that again as i think they really capture their sound with it. Beautiful world is great aswell and was such a great comeback but I still prefer the circus.

Posted by: pippa 5th August 2019, 02:54 PM

The Circus captured fun Take That especially when they toured the album.
It helped people see them differently and the staging was amazing.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 6th August 2019, 12:27 PM

The circus staging was just so brilliant and it really put them as huge game players for live shows.

Posted by: pippa 7th August 2019, 01:36 PM

The Circus Tour was without doubt a game changer in the live show market.
Take That proved beyond doubt they are one of the finest live bands in the country.

Posted by: pippa 13th August 2019, 02:03 PM

Have a try at this to see how your preference of albums come out fo ryou.

https://czeckd.github.io/preference-revealer/dist/

The Circus
The Greatest Day – Take That Present: The Circus Live
Never Forget The Ultimate Collection
Beautiful World
Everything Changes
Take That & Party
Progress
Progress Live
Greatest Hits
III
Progressed
III Deluxe
Nobody Else
Wonderland

Not fully accurate with how i would place them but it is reasonably close.