Robbie Williams always wants to be the best. After the disappointing Reality Killed The Video Star (2009), Take The Crown has to make him the greatest European pop singer again. When we look at the liner notes of his ninth album, it appears that the Englishman is sailing a separate course to become champion again. Bassist Justin Meldal-Johnson, for example, we know from Beck and guitarist Troy van
… Leeuwen from Queens Of The Stone Age. Will Williams suddenly go on the alternative tour? A little though. With producer Jacknife Lee behind the controls it is almost impossible. The Irish producer has contributed to successful rock records by Bloc Party, Snow Patrol and The Editors, among others. On Take The Crown, Williams regularly sounds like a commercial indie band thanks to the driving basses and guitars. It is reminiscent of Williams' solo career in 1997, when he topped Oasis Britpop with singles like Old Before I Die and Lazy Days. That was the start of a grand victory march, which Williams can continue after some lesser years with Take The Crown. (JE)more
