Robbie Williams - Intensive Care

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Something's lacking

EMI - 2005 - 52 minutes

Robbie Williams acquired a new songwriting partner in Stephen Duffy and spent nearly two years working on songs for 'Intensive Care', but all this effort has not made it a superior record to his other albums.

Lyrically, it's Williams' best work, but it's not his best album. 'Tripping', with its reggae beat, is the catchiest track here, while 'Make Me Pure' highlights Williams' conflicting persona aptly, particularly in the line "Oh Lord, make me pure, but not yet". There are clever lyrics here and there, but you can't escape the fact that something's lacking.

Where, on previous albums, 'Rock DJ' and 'Let Me Entertain You' showcased Williams the entertainer and 'Feel' and 'Angels' showed us his introspective side, no song on 'Intensive Care' captures these aspects of his personality. The collection sounds good, but you feel that a large part of Williams' personality, which many fans relate to, is absent.

'Intensive Care' marks a more mature offering from Williams, but it's missing a soul.

Katie Moten

Tracklisting:  Ghosts - Tripping - Make Me Pure - Spread Your Wings - Advertising Space - Please Don't Die - Your Gay Friend - Sin Sin Sin - Random Acts of Kindness - The Trouble With Me - A Place to Crash - King of Bloke and Bird