I want TT to continue whilst pursuing their individual projects. I like the balance of the TT shows with the lads more understated offerings. I would be very sad if they broke up again because that would undoubtedly be the end of TT for good. They came close with Jay's departure, I have no doubt about that, and the fact they all work so well together is the primary reason why I think they decided to continue. If they went their individual way my forecast is : Howard would fade into obscurity, Mark would continue to write and perform (with limited success) and Gary would have a strong career in pop and musical theatre, without reaching the heady heights of either.

 

I love this forum (the only one I post on) and welcome the divergent views of posters but I sometime question their commitment to TT. I'm certainly critical of the band at and don't believe everything they produce is worthy of them, but I struggle with the more personal comments posted at times.

 

As for Cry, it's doing well but it doesn't look like it will trouble the top position. Shame they don't have some TV promotion lined up. I can't see the BW having much of an impact so as we've all said before, radio play will be crucial.

 

 

I think Patience is a different thing altogether. The stars aligned for the song, lyrically, musically, nostalgically...all the boxes were ticked and it resonated massively with people around the world.

 

Dylan, Kath has her views but I agree completely with you and Milly

Very well put BB! And in a very witty context too! :D I still don't see why Gary doesn't just cut himself off and go 100% solo and make all collaborations i.e., [insert flavour of the day] featuring Gary Barlow. Having said that - I wish Mark and Howard would have the dignity to say - look Gary - we've done our bit - we've managed to get you back into the public eye - but we've made a packet and we'll now leave with dignity. Instead - they seem to be happy to be a totally unnecessary pair of earrings on a buffalo - and they're not even gold earrings. I think this is why Jay left - he saw what is now clearly obvious.

 

Gary Barlow has so many other projects--songwriting for musicals and other artists, TV shows and solo work, I guess he doesn't have time to take his earrings off. He is a very smart guy and knows that Take That is a stronger brand than Gary Barlow, and Gary Barlow with backing singers sells better than Gary Barlow without backing singers. I can see that this collaboration was a very good idea from a commercial point of view, but what a way to treat your bandmates. There again, Ronan Keating behaved in a similarly smart way.

 

You frame it like he went behind their back to record the lead vocal? I think you're being disengenious

Well Bond Bug it must be lovely living in such a cynical bubble ? I've already posted my view that they're still together because they love what they do.

 

'what a way to treat your bandmates.' Interested to know your insight into the workings of the band. Does Gary locked them up in a darkened dungeon only to release them to sing backing vocals? I'd go as far as to say that he probably gives them pocket money rather than an equitable share of the profits, or has them working on zero hour contracts phoning them up when there's a quick TV or radio appearance - probably for the minimum wage.

 

Seriously I give up - I surrender. GB is the son of Satan and operates at the behest of dark forces intend on subjugating two middle aged men for his own evil ends. :)

 

Gary Barlow has so many other projects--songwriting for musicals and other artists, TV shows and solo work, I guess he doesn't have time to take his earrings off. He is a very smart guy and knows that Take That is a stronger brand than Gary Barlow, and Gary Barlow with backing singers sells better than Gary Barlow without backing singers. I can see that this collaboration was a very good idea from a commercial point of view, but what a way to treat your bandmates. There again, Ronan Keating behaved in a similarly smart way.

 

What way is that? And why is Gary responsible for this? What should he have said? "No, I do not want to take lead vocals, please, Mark, be my guest!"?!!

It's this sort of comments that I don't understand.

 

I completely agree with you, Dylan. I don't want to see TT disband, but, sometimes, "fans" ' reactions make me wish this would happen for a short time, just so they can test their theories.

 

Glad to see we're not alone in our views, Jay :)

 

I don't have a problem with people having different opinions, but I like to see those opinions strongly supported by evidence.

When I see suppositions of the kind "oh, look, another vanity project for Gary!" or "Gary imposed his will on the others once again!", when there's absolutely nothing to support such statements, I get annoyed.

If anything, from LBDS, the only member of the band with a strong will appeared to be Mark - hence Gary telling him "you'll never be happy unless you've done it yourself".

People conveniently forget that Gary stepped aside on Progress and let everyone else take the lead. Gary's fans didn't throw a tantrum then, claiming that he was just an "earring" or someone else's backing singer, even though they had enough reasons to do it.

 

Regarding Cry, it needs airplay urgently, cause it's starting to drop in popularity, which means it could end up at 5 by tomorrow.

The song is good and hopefully will go top 10 which is all TT can hope for now and in future I believe with regards to singles. However expecting it to stay in top 10 on iTunes for a full week with no performances/music video is highly unrealistic. I just can't see where Mark/Howard would fit in this track and am just glad Mark doesn't sing.

 

As for TT my personal favourite members are Gary, Robbie and Jason but that's for musical, performance and personality reasons. When I was young in the 90's I used to like Howard but that was mainly the dancing element. Can't say I'm a fan of his now I'm older though recognise he is the classic TT backing vocal/harmonies.

 

In terms of vocals I'd say it goes Gary, Robbie, Howard, Jason (soft acoustic tracks) and then Mark. People who like Mark vocals tend to be Mark fans i.e they have a sentimental attachment from liking his personality which potentially clouds their hearing as there is a strong non musical attachment there. Almost like a parent who praises their son/daughter even though they aren't the winners at sports day. Proud nevertheless.

 

People I know who aren't die in the wool TT fans can't stand Mark's voice and find it painful and awful. He can't sing is often mentioned and if the track musically isn't strong enough (Shine) then they can't get through it. He is best as part of the ensemble or co lead (Said It All).

 

Maybe TT have realised this hence why Gary is back on leads.

Edited May 21, 20169 yr by nirvanamusic

I'm expecting top5 / maybe top3 new entry for this. Loving it.

That's not going to happen; you have to bear in mind that its streaming will be starting relatively slowly compared to the download, and that'll impact on where it's likely to chart. I doubt it'll make the Top 10 this week.

 

I'm pretty laid back - but I have to say some of the statements are quite bizarre coming from what I assume are fans of the band?

 

People outside of TT who have worked with Gary have said how generous and lovely he is to work with. If I recall Gary has apologised for some of his egotistical behaviour first time around - mostly around song writing responsibilities. People have thrown hurtful comments his way and he's been nothing but polite and gentlemanly. Many people would have thrown those comments back with equal venom - but he's never stooped to their level.

 

There is nothing, and I mean nothing to suggest that he is domineering, selfish, unpleasant or less than generous with his band mates. Perfect he certainly is not .... but to suggest he's using the lads for some master plan ! Maybe we should run with Milly's ideas. Perhaps they should experiment and let Howard and Mark take lead vocals for the next four singles - regardless of whether their voices suit the song or they have the necessary vocal range. In fact they could take it one step further and Gary could relinquish any song writing responsibilities to Mark and Howard so they can formulate the next album leaving him to concentrate on his other commitments.

Dylan, if you this the comments on this forum are bizarre, you should see those on Popujustice. I've been left wondering whether those people really are fans, cause they sound worse than the detractors: http://forum.popjustice.com/threads/take-t...s.35360/page-25

That's a thread dedicated to them on a forum not specifically for Take That fans, so there's bound to be a lot of non-fans replying with their opinions, right? There's not much point in dwelling on comments you perceive as being too negative, at the end of the day it's just their opinions, like you have your own.

I don't have a problem with other people's opinions, my problem is with those posters that pretend to be TT fans and have Gary's pic as their avatar, but who don't miss any opportunity to throw dirt at him.

Dylan, if you this the comments on this forum are bizarre, you should see those on Popujustice. I've been left wondering whether those people really are fans, cause they sound worse than the detractors: http://forum.popjustice.com/threads/take-t...s.35360/page-25

The "Since I Saw You Last" thread was 10x worse

 

http://forum.popjustice.com/threads/gary-b...o-single.31058/

Some strange ideas on that forum.

 

Really.... Gary's voice 'isn't all that anymore' comments such as can't listen to him, Mark and Howard have stronger voices. Of course, music is very personal and subjective but I maintain that 95% of the general public would cite Gary as the strongest vocalist. I find it hard to fathom where they're coming from. Most of them appear to like Cry aside for the dominance of Gary on the track but to suggest that Mark would have been a better choice of lead/ or Howard for that matter.... perplexing!!

 

I can acknowledge times when Mark or Howard are the right choice for songs - Shine, NF, All Fall Down are examples, but generally I'd pump for Gary as lead vocalist. What I find particularly strange is that he was lead vocalist in the 90's so it isn't as though there's been any change in the dynamic. When they came back Gary had lead on Patience and Wait for Life and Mark on Shine. Gary had lead with GD and joint lead vocalist with Said It All - so there's no change in the balance as far as I can tell.

 

Does anyone have any idea why this is causing a problem now, or has it always been this way with a vocal minority siding against Gary as the primary vocalist?

Some strange ideas on that forum.

 

Really.... Gary's voice 'isn't all that anymore' comments such as can't listen to him, Mark and Howard have stronger voices. Of course, music is very personal and subjective but I maintain that 95% of the general public would cite Gary as the strongest vocalist. I find it hard to fathom where they're coming from. Most of them appear to like Cry aside for the dominance of Gary on the track but to suggest that Mark would have been a better choice of lead/ or Howard for that matter.... perplexing!!

 

I can acknowledge times when Mark or Howard are the right choice for songs - Shine, NF, All Fall Down are examples, but generally I'd pump for Gary as lead vocalist. What I find particularly strange is that he was lead vocalist in the 90's so it isn't as though there's been any change in the dynamic. When they came back Gary had lead on Patience and Wait for Life and Mark on Shine. Gary had lead with GD and joint lead vocalist with Said It All - so there's no change in the balance as far as I can tell.

 

Does anyone have any idea why this is causing a problem now, or has it always been this way with a vocal minority siding against Gary as the primary vocalist?

On Popjustice? X Factor, tax evasion, Geri Halliwell and Tulisa.

 

(Also they think he's boring and his songs are not bops a.k.a. pop bangers like Rihanna and Beyoncé)

Edited May 21, 20169 yr by iamstrong

Well what pleasant people post on that forum. I think I'll stick on this one. The Popjustice one frightens me and I wouldn't last five minutes on it - think they'd eat me up and spit me out in no time :)

 

I've listened to the JT song and its nice enough and pleasant to listen to but I've not heard the Calvin Harris song or any of the others. I think the lads will be disappointed with anything less than a top three position but it's looking that way.

 

It doesn't bode well for the initial release off their new album which I expect to drop around Nov/Dec time and a guaranteed number 1 single off a new album may be long gone.

That's what I said as well :D The Popjustice and DS forums aren't for me, I'm quite passionate about what I like and I'd get too often the urge to strangle some people :D

 

With Cry - and any future singles for that matter -, it's all about promotion. I'd say they are incredibly lucky to be doing as well as they are right now considering they've only had a few plays and 0 promotion. They need to upload the video as soon as possible and start promoting the song, cause it has all the ingredients to be a success. From what I've seen, Brasilian radios are already on board with the single and I expect European stations to be playing along too, if it becomes a hit in UK.

On Popjustice? X Factor, tax evasion, Geri Halliwell and Tulisa.

 

(Also they think he's boring and his songs are not bops a.k.a. pop bangers like Rihanna and Beyoncé)

 

Seriously? They dislike him because of a joke aimed at Geri and because of Tulisa? Wow...

 

PS: I finally got through that SISYL thread. In the end, haters are gonna hate and Gary won when he sold 700k copies of his "boring, dull" album.

 

Personally, I'd rather be bored by Gary than listen to Rihanna or Beyonce's music.

Edited May 21, 20169 yr by milly

You can throw a number of things at Gary but he has a great dry sense of humour. I do remember the Tulisa jibe on X Factor and I did cringe. However, Gary apologised live on TV almost immediately. I don't think he was the best fit for that show because he's not a natural conversationalist or TV personality and was too guarded for the role. He has a new TV show coming out in the next year so I guess his detractors will be out in force once again.

 

I often read the DS site but the music forum is quite one sided with few people on board in terms of MOR type acts so TT aren't on the radar that much. I do like their politics thread and their broadcasting one but they don't have many posting on the music site so I tend to dip in and out of it. There is a thread for Cry but only a few people have posted - with a variety of opinions on it.