Robbie & His Mates - The Best Of. (Greatest Hits - Take That)

Member Name: cherwaite

Product:	Greatest Hits - Take That
Date:	05/10/06 (658 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Classic Cheesy Pop, Silly Dance Routines, Robbie !

Disadvantages: Some Crap Songs.

Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Robbie Williams, Jason Orange and Urmmm who was the other one again? ::googles:: Howard Donald.

These 5 lads from Manchester took the UK by storm back in the early 1990s. They were The Beatles of their time. I remember being at school in my early teens and all the girls my age would lust after them. For some reason I didnt, I was a New Kids on The Block Lass. Although I admit to having a wee crush on Mark. They were unleashed onto the pop scene by their manager Nigel Martin-Smith and quickly built up a frenzied hype and buzz around a somewhat fetishy image... Quickly building a legion of fans with their saucy dance routines, PVC tight outfits and cheeky sense of humour they achieved huge success and a string of classic, If somewhat dodgy singles.

This is a collection of their greatest hits from that era (1991-1995) as they have jumped on the comeback bandwagon and recently started a UK tour and are fetching out new material soon. The demand is huge, although Robbie left the group they have an ardent set of fans who want to relive their teenage youth and see them in concert again. I wish Id have got tickets!

The Cover
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The cover is immediately spottable and is based upon albums past. In the middle is a huge Take that logo (Two T's, one upside down the other on top of it inside a circle) with Take That Greatest Hits in huge white lettering. The background is made up of tiny boxes filled with graphics of their previous album covers. This is a really original idea and looks different to any other album cover I have seen.



The Tracklist
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The Tracklist covers every well known song they produced from their very first single 'Do What You Like' to their last 'Never Forget'. Its a very varied and eclectic mix of songs from ballads to dancey tunes. Here is my thoughts on the songs picked.


1. How Deep Is Your Love

This was released just after Robbie had split from the group in 1995. A cover of the Beegees classic hit, Gary took the lead as usual and produced a fair cover but many preferred the original. The video centred around the lads getting tied up in chairs by a mad woman. Hmm. Nice for mellow listening.

2. Never Forget

This was their last song ever released prior to splitting up (obviously) released in September 1995. With meaningful lyrics referring to their past and fame they have had 'Some day all this will be someone elses dream' it signalled the end of an era. I was never keen on this song but it always goes down well whenever its played and I know all the lyrics. *blushes*

3. Back For Good

In my humble opinion this was Take Thats greatest moment and best song. I adored it. A soppy ballad about splitting up with a girlfriend and wanting them back 'Got a picture of you beside me, Got your lipstick mark still on my coffee cup Oh girlllllll' , It still gives me tingles. With a black and white video of the guys sat around looking solemnly into the distance, we all swooned and wished we were the girl in question running towards them arms flailing wide open saying 'Im backkkk' Well worth a listen and the one most likely to skip to first.

4. Sure

Another soppy ballad about meeting the woman of your dreams 'Sure so sure its heaven knocking at my door' this was released in October 1994 and got to number 1. Gary is on the lead vocals and its a decent enough song with a nice melody. Not one of my favourites though, a bit too brie for me.

5. Love Ain't Here Anymore

Are you sensing a pattern in the theme of the songs? They are all about falling in love or splitting up, arent they! A good song for if your feeling lonely to make you feel even more miserable Gary bemoans the lack of love in his life. 'Love aint here anymore, Its gone away to a town called yesterday'. Songwriting at its best, eh.

6. Everything Changes

At last a more upbeat song. Get on your dancing shoos! With a piano lead opening to a funky rhythmn Robbie shares the lead vocals and his talent is really apparent. The video was set in a cafe with the guys going mad dancing and eyeing up the laydees. The main theme of the song is everything in life changes except the beautiful lady who is as loyal as ever. Right on!

7. Babe

Awww little Mark gets to do a song. About time! After Robbie or Gary hogging the lead vocal this was a refreshing change. A emotive little song with Marks timid vocals somehow suiting the mood of it. This time Mark is singing about getting in touch with an ex and then there is the huge revelation of Mark seeing a child who looks exactly like him!! Wheres Jeremy Kyle when you need him. This got to number 1 in December 1993. Sweet.

8. Relight My Fire

Classic party song. Here Lulu joins the lads in a rampant song about spicing up a lacklustre relationship. 'Relight my fire, Your love is my only desire'. Great song with Lulu belting out a corker of a bridge near the end. Rumour has it she got it on with Howard between filming. Theres life in the old dog yet.

9. Pray

The video was again black and white set on a beach with the guys stood splashing around looking pensive and hungry with desire. How we swooned. Garys songwriting capabilities for catchy songs obviously in effect, we all knew the words soon enough. Aimed at an ex about praying they were back together again.

10. Why Can't I Wake Up With

Released in February 1993 this went to Number 2. Another soppy love song about wanting to be with the lady of their dreams. Gary is on lead vocals (for a change) but this is a track I tend to skip. It annoys me.

11. Could It Be Magic

A cover of the Barry Manilow song this really catapulted them into the spotlight in December 1992. A dancey little number with the guys running around energetically in the video, I really adore this song and can remember singing it happily when I was little. We all wished they were singing about us. Turn up the volume and relive your youth!

12. A Million Love Songs

Gary Barlow, a piano, some saxophone in the background and the soppiest song of the album. Its my guilty secret in life that I love this song. It really is easy to listen to and has beautiful lyrics although would be too embarrassing to have playing at your wedding I imagine. Gary struggles to tell his girlfriend he loves her 'A Million love songs later, here I am trying to tell you that I care'. Sigh.

13. I Found Heaven

Bouncing on to an upbeat song and change of tempo this is a jolly number about meeting, you guessed it, another girl. These lads were players werent they. Robbie takes the vocals on this single that was released early on in their career.

14. It Only Takes A Minute

::Does the dance:: This has the funniest lyrics of the lot who else could put the lyrics 'If you get a flu attack for thirty days you're on your back ' into a song. A great pop tune. You cant help but sing along to it!

15. Once You've Tasted Love

This only reached number 47 in March 1992 but for me its an outstanding track and didnt get the credit it deserved. With a touch of electo pop about it, Its about falling in love for the first time. 'Once you've tasted love, its just the beginning of a new world' with some female 'ooooh' and 'aaaaah' vocals in the background. Top Stuff!

16. Promises

I hate this song. Sorry I cant comment on it.

17. Do What You Like

A feisty little number about being independant in a relationship this is the first single ever released which got to a paltry number 82!! I remember the cheesy dance routines they used to do to this, no wonder! Happy singalong pop that you cant help but smile at.

All in all it is a great album to listen to in the peace of your own bedroom so you can dance infront of the mirror with your hairbrush, or to sing along to in your car.

Who it would appeal to?
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Any fans of cheesy pop music would be in there glory with this mix. Or anyone in their early 20s-30s who remember what it was like first time around. Its a must have for your CD collection.

How much is costs and where its available from
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Available from any good music retailer or supermarket. Plus online you could get it from Play.com, Amazon or Ebay and many more. I have done a quick pricerunner search and the cheapest place to buy it from is ~ £5.99 and free P&P from forcheapcds.com.

More Information on Take That at www.takethat.com

Copyright cherwaite 2006.

Summary: A Pop Classic CD