dylandog

Great news! Hope others join our small group and start posting. All in all it's a lovely forum to share opinions and views about the boys and their music.

I think it would be great if you and Jay could share the moderator role! I can't imagine anyone would object.

One of the newer posters but still sad to see you step down, Aphrodite! There aren't many of us posting but I really enjoy reading everyone's comments.

SISYL again from me. However, it's a well liked song so expecting it to survive this round.

Oh no. Jump is another one I really like. I think the lyrics are quite poignant. We need others to vote otherwise there's a three way tie!

Goes to show how we all have such different taste. I really like More Than Life. Picked SISYL because I don't particularly like the sound of Gary's voice on this record , although I do appreciate the lyrical element of the song.

Wow, Elisabeth. Rob is truly blessed to have such a devoted fan as yourself. One who is forever willing to remind people of his outstanding charismatic personality ,supreme talent and unwavering popularity. Please feel free to listen and watch Rob to your hearts content. Enjoy the flashing of questionable underpants, the swearing and bad manners, the out of tune singing, the crowd finishing songs because either he can't be bothered, or he simply isn't able to reach the notes. Finally, please enlighten us all. Did Take That do something to upset you in a previous life? :)

Thanks, Milly. Lovely that there were some TT banners around. Looking at the crowd it's such a shame TT haven't put on a show to showcase their back catalogue and new music. I'm sure that they could have negotiated a deal with a TV company ; thereby keeping ticket prices low and ensuring maximum TV exposure. Sadly I've come to the conclusion that TT have quite poor PR and management. I'm sure they could have made some inroads into European countries outside of Germany, Netherland and Italy but alas it doesn't look like it's going to happen. I have watched some of Rob's recent shows and in all honesty I don't rate them; however I seem to be in the minority on that score. Since returning for the Progress tour he appears to have gone from strength to strength touring non stop throughout Europe, Asia and Australia and New Zealand - quite incredible when you think how long he's been at the top.

Milly, hope you don't mind but I have a question for you? I've seen some photos from Robbie's recent concert in Romania and the size of the crowd is incredible. Is Rob really that popular in Romania ? The outside venue looks really beautiful, a stunning back drop for a concert.

They normally take two years to record and produce an album. If an album is released this year I hope they haven't compromised on quality in order to get it out to a specified deadline. They also tend to tour following a new album, so does this mean another tour next year ? Can't imagine that being the case. Assumed the plan was for a greatest hits tour in 2017 in the hope that at least Rob would get on board. It will be interesting to see how this all pans out.

Slightly off topic but I've been listening to the BW album. Does anyone else think that the lyrics to Reach Out refer to the 7/7 bombings that Gary was caught up in? The lyrics are rather poignant in terms of today's remembrance of that event - and given the awful atrocities around the world at the moment. I'd be interested to know others thoughts on this.

Sorry I don't know how to post links but there's a You Tube video of Matthew Morrison's version of WYFDTTG. Trying to be as impartial as possible - in my view it's really wonderful. A beautiful song and the young boy gives a lovely interpretation - so moving.

It's possible to look at it a number of ways: Firstly, the significant drop in their sales and popularity, which no one can deny, could give credence to your perspective that perhaps they're no longer a going concern. However, based on such a perspective then no band or solo artist would be deemed a going concern as the majority of the world's population doesn't buy music. ID are the biggest band in the world and their last album sold around 3.5 million, so most people didn't buy it and I think I'm right in saying that their album sales have seen a decline since 2011. Few artists sustain album sales over a period of 10 years, but in TT's case the decline has been more marked because the three previous albums held up so well. Secondly, TT have still just played their largest arena tour in the UK , so the notion that they're not popular is clearly untrue, just not as popular as they were. It's possible the lads will decide to bow out if album and tour sales see a significant decline and they're left struggling to fill arena dates, but given their reputation for outstanding live shows it's unlikely this will happen any time soon. I think this tour was a pivotal moment in TT's history. It's restored their reputation and silenced many critics who didn't think they'd cut it as a three. If the tour hadn't been a success I believe they would have disbanded. The bottom line is that whilst they still sell in adequate numbers the record company will still see them as a going concern- money talks in the music industry above all else. As for the reviewer his comments appear to stem from one of quality in that he perceives Gary as talented but the others not, rather than one of sales and popularity.

No Milly, I don't think it's a fair representation of the concert in any sense at all. The reviewer is right in so far as Howard wouldn't sell records or tour tickets on his own, and Mark has a small, loyal fan base but can't command large numbers. Gary is therefore the only one who could have a successful career outside of TT at this point. Few people would argue that Gary has the strongest voice and is the most talented, but TT are the sum of their parts. In some way they all contribute to make the band what it is. Mark has a lovely rapport with the crowd and Howard is a great dancer who adds to the overall performance. Gary couldn't carry off a concert like that on his own, he doesn't have the personality or charisma for it. He's essentially a singer/pianist hence his shows are stripped back and the music takes centre stage. The reviewer simply disliked the show as have some others but his view that they're no longer a going concern is simply laughable given that they've just finished 40 plus arena shows. The majority of people who've seen the show have absolutely loved it. It was a great concert, not their best but still excellent. Some reviewers have complained about the lack of the 'wow' factor and showmanship but these complaints simply don't stand up to scrutiny. The effort and creativity that went into this tour has been incredible. That said, are they better as a four piece, yes, but I prefer three to five. I can understand those fans who've followed the band from the start not buying into a 4 or 3 piece, but I've followed the band since 2006 so for me it works as a four with Jay, and not with Rob.

I'm afraid that ship has sailed, Milly. Any realistic inroads internationally would have been made in 2006, it's far too late now. ID are the younger equivalent of TT and although they may pick up some new fans along the way the numbers will be minimal. Possibly their best song since their comeback RTW made little impact on the international charts, so any possibility of a new single becoming a world hit is almost inconceivable. We may see some recognition for Gary in relation to his foray into musicals, but that's as far as it goes.

Lots of people won't forget the tax issue - nothing they can do about that. However, they do have control over other things: 1) return to the original sound of BW 2) release a strong lead single ( ballad) 3) promote, promote, promote the album via a TV show similar to An Audience with, radio and TV performances and ensure that the marketing campaign is an effective one. Given that they're signed to a big music label their scheduling is shambolic at times. 4) promote any follow up singles properly via TV , radio, signings and small concerts If they undertaken an effective campaign sales of around a million is achievable.

Whilst I agree compared to many other artists the sales figures are relatively healthy, I don't think anyone can put an entirely positive slant on these figures. Their last 3 albums all sold in excess of 2 million in the UK, so the figures for this album are poor. Even accounting for the downturn in album sales it's still disappointing. Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran have both achieved massive sales in 2014 so there is still an album market out there.

Glad you really enjoyed it Milly. I saw so many things I'd missed at the live show, although I wasn't overly impressed with the direction and thought some of the camera angles failed to capture key moments. Have to agree with you regarding Gary. The sound in our cinema was fantastic and Gary's voice was simply great, the best I've heard him sing over the full course of a show. I thought both Mark and Howard were somewhat subdued in the first half of the concert which I put down to nerves. Howard in particular looked really anxious but visibly relaxed toward the latter part of the show. The last 20 - 25 minutes was fantastic. The cinema wasn't sold out but it was about 3/4 full and people were up dancing and singing. All in all a fab night - everyone left with a big smile on their face. I think they will definitely tour next year and attempt to get Rob on board, but as for Jay, I doubt he will ever return.

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!!

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?

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.

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.

Lovely review, Jay. Your enjoyment of the show jumps off the page! You're right about a piano medley - it would have been a great addition.

I'd forgotten about the B Sides Cat. Some of them were really, really good and better than the A Sides. It's such a shame because B Sides give fans a chance to hear songs which don't make it onto the albums for one reason or another. I acknowledge that they're touring at present but they are in London for some considerable time. Even if they couldn't make live shows they could certainly record something at the arena. If they'd chosen HTH over Portrait they could simply have used concert footage for the video, at least there would be a video of sorts to promote the single.

Milly, I think you should raise the white flag and accept defeat!! :) Why they release singles is beyond me; they're obviously completely disinterested in charting outside of the initial release. It really is a very short term strategy as good single chart positions often have a positive impact on album sales. By the way I heard HTH on Radio 2 this morning but it won't make any different. No promo = no sales. Oh for the halcyon days of 2006 when they had Patience ,Shine and I'd Wait for Life and 2009 when they had GD, Said It All and UAN.