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Robbie reinvents on new album October 19, 2006 12:00am Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia CAMERON Adams checks out Robbie Williams' new album track by track. There's a music-world cliche that when artists are in their imperial period they could release an album of themselves farting and it'd still make No.1. Welcome to Robbie Williams' farting album: the experimental album he's made because he can. Except Rudebox is the most interesting album he's done in six years. Gone are the anthems ready-made to woo stadiums and keep Robbie's golden goose laying platinum eggs. Rudebox has moments that may alienate Sharon and Shane Suburbia, yet he's never sounded so creative and musically alive. Gone are his regular songwriters, replaced by dance and electronic producers, some famous, some not. There's a handful of covers -- most obscure -- there's no rock, no real ballads and lots of rap. This is everything a pop star of his status should do, but rarely does; completely reinvent himself and see just how open-minded his fans are. Here is the rest of the article, track by track... Rudebox - if you hate this single, you're going to loathe this album, the electro white-boy rap here wasnt a one off. Viva Life On Mars - Robbie perfectly described this as "O Brother Where Art Thou meets Primal Scream when they were good". A cyber hoe-down with lyrical shout outs to George Michael's I Want Your Sex and Pet Shop Boys West End Girls. Lovelight - The albums first cover and a master stroke. Robbie and producer Mark Ronson turn Lewis Taylor;s nsoul slowburner into a potent marriage of Jamiroquai and Justin Timberlake, complete with the falsetto he flirted with on Tripping and synths that sound like trapped beans. Gold. Bongo Bong/Je Ne T'aime Plus - Another cover, this one French folk singer Manu Chao. Its not too different to the original, which means its alot of fun. Robbie goes tribal with help from beat king Mark Ronson, with Lily Allen along for the ride. Unlike anything he's done before, totally bonkers (the chorus runs "I'm the king of bongo baby") but totally brilliant. She's Madonna - This is stunning. Robbie writes with the Pet Shop Boys and it sounds simultaneously morose and poptastic as you'd expect. The canny lyrics are about Guy Ritchie dumping his last girlfriend Tania Stecker (also one of Robbie's many ex-girlfriends) by saying "I love you baby, buy face it, she's Madonna". Robbie also shoehorns in the line "We're having drinks with Kate and Stella, Gwyneths here she's brought her fella" as well as random Madge song titles. Keep On - An random collision of music - inspired by Happy Mondays - and gibberish lyrics that somehow works. More Lily Allen on backing vocals as Robbie notes "I think with my dingaling". Good Doctor - Could have come from the Lily Allen album, a retro bluesy swagger with Robbie leaving illegal drugs behind for the over-the-counter variety: "No raves no more, just bedside cabinet". He also repeatedly says "Take that!" before comparing his chemical intake to that of of the late Who drug fiend Keith Moon. The Actor - Another diversion, this is dark '80's Teutonic electro pop with a female starlet mocking the LA acting world along side Robbie's lyrics. Also includes a nod to Madge's Vogue. Never Touch That Switch - The first real misfire, a throwaway electro mess written by is mates Soul Mekanik with no input from Robbie. Louise - Faithful cover of the Human League's stark 1984 ballad. Produced by William Orbit, who adds trademark bleeps and electronic graffiti. We're The Pet Shops - If the housewives havent given up yet, this cover will test them - its clearly here purely to amuse Robbie. This is a cover of My Robot Friend's obscure ode to the Pet Shop Boys, who also sing on it. Oh, the irony. SOunds just like Robbie fronting the Pet Shop Boys, he even gets to quote from a string of their hits. Burslem Normals - Hmm. Downbeat electronic lament that is the anti-Angels. Kiss Me - Easily the most sunthpop things he's done since Take That, here Robbie photcopies writing partner Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy's 1985 hit. Commercial radio will wet their collective pants over this. The 80's - The album's centrepieces see Robbie channel Mike Skinner of the Streets and Ian Dury fr is Brit rap. Robbie details his misspent youth of stolen cigarettes, flriting with drugs and losing his virginity. Fantatsic. The 90's - Even better, detailing his start and messy end in boyband Take That. Frustratingly, his former manager Nigel Martn Smith has had enough of being dissed by Robbie and hence the huge gaps in this song are where offending lyrics have been removed because of a pending court case. Still, more sad lyrics about his time in the boy band ("I cant conform no more, I cant perform no more"), his clashs with Gary Barlow ("I met the other gys, one seemed like a c**k"), and his premature exit" "I'm thinking I can sing, why am I stood at the back? so f*** the band, give me vodka and gak." Best song on the album, but far from a hit. Summertime - More William Orbit bleepy production, though the tune's a throwaway. Dickhead - Abrasive hidden track, many will think its not hidden far enough. The verdict: **** (4/5 stars - excellent) After a few ropey auotpilot albums that seemingly pleased everyone but himself, Robbie's returned to being a risk-taking, divisive, exciting pop star not afaid to shed fans to save his sanity. Welcome back. Thanks to tlc at TRWS :yahoo: This guy has always slated Rob so this is a total triumph :cheer:

OH MY GOD. The lyrics to Keep On. I LOVE YOU. How the heck are we going to learn those :wacko: :wacko: :wacko: . But it's gonna be fun trying :cheer:

Viva Life On Mars.....yehhhaaaaaaawww :cheer: :heart: :wub: :yahoo:

At the moment Best - The 90's :wub: :cry: (Along with The 80's, The Actor, She's Madonna, Viva Life On Mars, Keep On) Worst - Burslam Normals. But I am not voting yet until I am sure -_-

Yessssssss. The fourth single after She's Madonna :cheer: .

I just listened on my stereo all the way through..WOWWW :wub: :wub: :wub: . I am just going to give each a score out of 10. Rudebox - Always liked this one, but there are better on the album (8/10) Viva Life On Mars - Brilliant get up and go song. I adore this one (11/10) :wub: Lovelight - Brilliant obviousy (10/10) :heart: King Of The Bongo - fun, addictive (9/10) She's Madonna - Pure class, addictive, beautiful. Must be a single (11/10) :heart: Keep On - Love it. Amazing, rocking song and Lilly's vocal adds to it brilliantly. (11/10) :wub: Good Doctor- Hilarious (9/10) :D The Actor - Funkiest song of them all, I love it to death (11/10) :wub: Never Touch That Switch - I like it (8/10) Louise- beauiuful vocal and very true to the original (8/10) We're The Pet Shop Boys - Excellent electro track (9/10) Burslem Normals - Nice but a bit disappointing (6/10) Kiss Me - Excellent fun cover (9/10) The 80s - Sighhhh. One of my most favourite songs of all time (11/10) :wub: along with........ The 90s - deeper sigh. You can't get much better than these 2 (11/10) :wub: Summertime - Nice but not as good as the original (8/10) Dickhead - Hilarious. A fantastic hidden track. How does he get away with these things (8/10)

This ones a favourite now :wub: . It had better be a single. It will sound amazing on the radio :wub: :wub:

Yeah I agree. There is a large gap in one of the verses. Doesn't matter....an amazing track. The chorus is so beautiful :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub:

Yep I'll be getting at least 3 in the first week. And then after that I will have to start Xmas shopping :D Desperate for this to be number 1 -_-

Definately off to bed. G'night What a great day :yahoo:

Oh Mikey, you have to get it. Its amazing :wub: . You wont regret it and the lyrics are brilliant :yahoo:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: Thanks for that. I'll start on Good Doctor. I notice no-one has been game enough to attempt the keep On lyrics in full...can't imagine why :lol:

This will definately be my favourite Robbie album and I will even say that is probably one of the best in my rather large CD collection :wub: . Now look forward to learnig the words and singing along...will be quite difficult with some...so many lyrics to learn :wacko: :wacko: :wacko: . I am so proud of him :wub:

Ummmmmmmm...whats in it for us?

I agree -_- . Nice way to end off though....before you're hit with Dickhead that is :D

I love this one too. Very sexy and funky and mysterious. Very faithful to the original...but much better

Don't worry I will probably buy 2 copies and I have one preordered from itunes...so thats at least 3. Hi everyone. Off to bed soon though after a very productive day :yahoo:

"I'm p@ssed and I'm f@cked and I'm only 19" :cry: :cry: I love this one :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub:

I was expecting this to be my skipper, but I actually quite like it. Not my fave but I certainly wont be skipping it Improves on repeat listening.

This ones hysterical. Just don't let the kids hear it :o although my 10 year old son would probably love it :rolleyes: .

Yeah this ones a bit slow. I am actually at a point now where ballads are a bit of a shock and I am a bit disappointed LOL. I have only had one listen though and it does seem to have a beautiful chorus. I'll give this a few more listens.

Yep....it sounds amazing :wub: :wub: :wub: and so true to the original.

Aagh you like it. This is hilarious :D The most bizarre song I have ever heard...but its ACEEEEEEE "If I take it too long they'll f@ck my complexion" :rofl:

She's Madonna :wub: :wub: :wub: Lovelight / The Actor

What a brilliant song. Makes me very :cry: How does he keep doing it....amazing :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: