Do we know what position Higher than Higher reached in the official charts, did it even enter the top 200?

Don't think so..

That is a terrible outcome,i had thought the physical number 1 would be enough to ensure a top 200 entry in addition to even a few hundred download sales.

Looks like we will be seeing new music soon!

 

@GaryBarlow: Just finished in the studio ! New TT music on the go !!! Exciting x

 

He doesn't mention whether it's a re-release of III or a new record altogether

 

I suspect it will be a reissue of III. They have reissued all of their other recent albums with the exception of the circus so don't see why they wouldn't do it with this one and they have only had three singles from the album so far. A reissue would certainly help boast overall sales if they have a big hit single from it.

Edited June 17, 201510 yr by slowdown73

In an article, it was mentioned that they're working on a new album, because they rushed things with III.

I think they're moving on from III.

 

I'm really disappointed with how HTH did. Now I wish they had released a worse song, so that I wouldn't have to witness my favorite track be let to flop :(

Slightly off track but some articles have indicated that the next album may feature guests with Mark mentioning The Prodigy - please god this isn't true.!!

 

I hope this is tongue in cheek from Mark as I can't imagine The Prodigy collaborating with TT; talk about different ends of the musical spectrum. I really hope TT revisit the BW era as I struggle to understand why they would move so far away from their signature sound? In terms of previous albums they released a live edition of the Circus and if I remember correctly the album returned to the number 1 slot for one week, or possibly two.

 

As for HTH, it's such a shame their music isn't connecting with the public due in part to a lack of promotion.

I really like III - its my favourite album by far from TT and don't understand the criticism it seems to attract. I don't think it was rushed at all. Just because it hasn't sold as well doesn't make it any inferior to their other albums neither.

Slightly off track but some articles have indicated that the next album may feature guests with Mark mentioning The Prodigy - please god this isn't true.!!

 

That was my reaction as well :D

 

 

I know my opinion might be unpopular, but I think they should stir away from some of Mark's musical influences and more towards Gary's. His solo album is still selling decently after all these years, which means the public connects with this type of music.

 

I really like III - its my favourite album by far from TT and don't understand the criticism it seems to attract. I don't think it was rushed at all. Just because it hasn't sold as well doesn't make it any inferior to their other albums neither.

 

I agree with you.

It was Mark who said that III was rushed, but I couldn't understand that, since it seemed they took their time with it.

Marks solo music is far removed from Take That's style and i would also be in agreeance they should lean towards Gary's influences.

 

Mark has a distinct writing style and as others have said it is quite different from TT but he's become far more influential in directing their sound in recent years. He's a strong song writer and a great performer ( the star of this tour in my view) but he doesn't have a commercial sound.

 

As difficult as it is to say they really do need to give Gary a stronger influence on the next album, or someone within the record company needs to stand up and point out a few home truths, if indeed Gary has been the one to move them into a different musical direction. Their strongest songs and most popular ones are those which adhere to a simple melody and a standard MOR sound - BFG, NF, Patience, RTW, GD, SIA, Pray etc. Some will criticize their predictability and lack of innovation but there's no denying that their strength lies in a classical pop sound.

 

In my view some of the lesser songs from the BW album were really lovely pop records and it's quite sad that so few of them have been performed live. I would be quite happy never to hear songs from the Progress era ever again, with the exception of the The Flood, Eight Letters, Don't Say Goodbye, Flowerbed and When We Were Young.

Mark has a distinct writing style and as others have said it is quite different from TT but he's become far more influential in directing their sound in recent years. He's a strong song writer and a great performer ( the star of this tour in my view) but he doesn't have a commercial sound.

 

As difficult as it is to say they really do need to give Gary a stronger influence on the next album, or someone within the record company needs to stand up and point out a few home truths, if indeed Gary has been the one to move them into a different musical direction. Their strongest songs and most popular ones are those which adhere to a simple melody and a standard MOR sound - BFG, NF, Patience, RTW, GD, SIA, Pray etc. Some will criticize their predictability and lack of innovation but there's no denying that their strength lies in a classical pop sound.

 

In my view some of the lesser songs from the BW album were really lovely pop records and it's quite sad that so few of them have been performed live. I would be quite happy never to hear songs from the Progress era ever again, with the exception of the The Flood, Eight Letters, Don't Say Goodbye, Flowerbed and When We Were Young.

 

I agree in large with all these points. That said, it would be unfair of critics to say they are predictable or lack innovation as the 4 studio albums they have delivered since reforming are all so different and show so many different styles. They have showed they are not predictable and certainly do not lack innovation. They need to return to their winning sound as you pointed out, and in truth i would predict it is what the majority of the music public want for them or at least the ones willing to purchase their albums.

The critics put A Million Love Songs down when it first came out and now it's considered the best love song worldwide. I couldn't care less what the critics say at this point. The only praise they'll give them is if and when Robbie comes back. Had Robbie been missing from Progress, the album would have gotten the usual reviews.

 

Although there are more songs I enjoy from this 2nd time around, I must confess I find the songwriting of the 90s Gary much more diverse - he seemed to be tapping into more musical genres than he is now and it was what made fans fall in love with TT. I wish he could go back (partially) to that approach.

For me, the songs that clearly have a Mark sound on them are not really to my taste, to be honest. I've always struggled with Mark's lyrics (second to his voice), because most of them make no sense to me and remind me of the surrealist poets, that were all form and no substance. I like more Gary's direct approach. But that's just me. Maybe other fans connect more with Mark's style. I find even his performance skills hard to watch sometimes, because, to me, he's trying too hard to get the public to like him. I even prefer Gary's dancing to Mark's - and even my sister, who is very neutral about TT, noticed that Mark lacks elegance in his movements (her words, not mine).

 

I have to mention, though, that I'm very biased when it comes to Mark, so my "reality" view may be distorted. I do, prefer, though, the classic TT of BW and Nobody Else eras.

 

It's obvious that Gary still has a classic songwriting approach, as Finding Neverland is testament to this. I really liked SISYL and thought there were some strong ballads on that album which would have fitted quite well on the BW album.

 

I wasn't a fan as such first time around but I remember appreciating NF, Pray , EC , BFG, MLS and a couple of others. I've since bought some of the earlier albums and found the quality patchy. Some were too dance orientated for my liking, but every now and again they came up with a gem of a song.

 

I understand those who don't particularly appreciate Mark as a singer, as I have similar feelings, but he is a natural performer. He's been a revelation on this tour and was the most engaged with the crowd the night I went. Credit where it's due; in my opinion he's been the stand out performer of the three and has been the most natural and energized. As much as I love Gary his professionalism can sometimes make him appear slightly aloof and detached. Mark gives a warmth to their performance.

 

I'm going to the cinema show tomorrow night and it'll be interesting to see it from a different perspective. I have noted that Mark's lost weight for this tour and has got back into shape but he was sweating profusely the night I saw him and didn't look very well and hasn't looked well in any subsequent clips I've seen. Has anyone else noticed this?

Yeah, I noticed it too. But, to be fair, he's always been sweating quite a lot when he performs - look at Shine on An Audience With TT. You'd have thought he had been lifting weights :)

 

I think it's easier for Mark to perform than for Gary, because he doesn't have all that much singing to do. For me, Gary is carrying the weight of the concert on his shoulders, because he has to do almost everything the others do, movement wise, plus he has to sing. Instead, on Shine, Up All Night, Hold Up A Light, Affirmation, Mark and Howard have no choreography to follow, because, probably, they don't find it easy to do several things at once. I don't find Mark to be a natural performer at all. I've noticed that when he's with TT, his movements are a little more natural, but, on his solo tour, it was really cringey to watch him - always bent, always doing those weird hand movements. I admit Gary may be a little stiff when he dances, but he's more easy to watch and he does have more rhythm than the others. Out of all the TT members, Robbie is the natural performer, in my opinion.

I can barely contain my excitement for tonight. I know it's only cine, but the mere fact that 40 countries will be seeing the same thing at once is just mind-blowing.

I hope I don't get thrown out of the cine for being too exuberant :D

 

Not looking forward to the 6 hours of waiting in the train station afterwards, but what don't I do for a certain handsome man? :P

It's interesting how differently you could perceive things. Regarding their performances I'm with dylandog. When it comes to interacting with the crowd during the shows I get the impression that Mark genuinely loves that part of the show, I don't see it as a way for him to try to be liked by the audience. I think that he simply enjoys it.

 

Mark usually is sweating a lot but yes, I have noticed that he looks kind of tired or worn out. The energy is there but in his face he looks a little worn out.

 

Oh, and I don't think Mark or Howard would have a problem with doing two things at once ;)

 

Have fun, those of you going to the cinema tonight! Would have loved to see the show again, but sadly it will not be streamed in my country.

Edited June 19, 201510 yr by Cat62

Just about to set off for the cinema.

 

Hope everyone going has a great time - especially you Milly. I know how much you've been looking forward to it!!

Hope you have a fantastic, fantastic time Milly! Can't wait to hear what you have to say after!

Thank you, Jay :)

 

I've just got home after more than 15h of travelling :) But it was so worth it.

I was expecting us to be around 20 fans in the audience, considering the location of the cine and the complete lack of advertising of the event.

I can't say the room was full, but about half of it was - there were around a few hundred people, which, to me, it was quite a lot. It proved that, would TT have the same publicity on telly as Robbie does, they could easily fill a big venue.

I can't say I had major surprises, show wise, since I had seen all the yt videos already and knew how every song was staged.

What did catch me by surprise was how powerful and full Gary's voice sounded - I may have fallen all over again in love with him :P - and how connected he was with the audience. I don't know how it was the other nights, but, yesterday, Gary was the glue that held it all together - stage presence, humour, voice, the whole package.

I'm sorry to say my impression of Mark did not change after last night, on the contrary. The surround sound highlighted the flaws in his voice. I actually cringed on a couple of occasions when he sung, especially on the higher notes on Up All Night.

Previous to this, I had warmed up to Affirmation, but, after last night, I have to admit it was the dullest part of the concert. I almost fell asleep during it.

The highlight of the night, for me, was, surprisingly, Relight My Fire. After having watched all the yt videos, I was expecting Flaws or I Like It to be my standout moments, but it was RMF the winner :) Gary's vocals were completely on point and blew me away.

 

As a conclusion, I really enjoyed the concert last night. I'm still trying to figure out where I would place it in my preferences. It was not the same as a truly live concert, that much was obvious, so I'd rather compare it to the concerts I saw on dvd. It doesn't beat yet SYSHL tour for me, but it makes me hungry to see Gary live one day. I went a mega GB fan and I returned an even bigger fan, if that was even possible :)