Definitely Decent (Beautiful World - Take That)

Member Name: MI9to5

Product:	Beautiful World - Take That
Date:	21/09/09 (63 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Wooden Boat is spectacular

Disadvantages: A poor opening track

=== Take That ===

Take That were formed in Manchester in 1990 and consited of five members; Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams. Their oulful ballads and dance-orientated pop tunes captured audeinces and dominated the UK charts. Between 1991-96 the group sold more than 25 million records and at the time were giant superstars in Europe. The band did however split up in 1996 and Williams went off to have a top solo career. In 2006 though the band reformed, minus Robbie Williams, and have achieved new success as a four man band. All members perform primarily on vocals but each does habe some instumental talent/song-writing capability - primarily Barlow who has just recently been voted the greatets British songwriter of all time.

=== Their Albums ===

Up to date Take That has released five studio albums, three pre-break up and two post reforming; Take That & Party (1992), Everything Changes (1993), Nobody Else (1995), Beautiful World (2006) and Circus (2008). Four of these albums reached the top spot in the UK with the other hitting coming in a close second in the charts. The band also wrote recorded the theme song 'Rule the World' for the film Stardust, which doesn't appear on any original album. This song reached the top spot in the UK and became the 5th biggest selling single in the UK for 2007 despite only beign released two months before the year ended.

It is the bands fourth album, 'Beautiful World', that I will be reviewing today.

== Beautiful World ==

Beautiful World was released in November 2006 and was the bands first studio album in 11 years and first since Robbie Williams' departure. The album is decribes as being 'a throwback to the 90s, but with a modern twist' and for me this is exactly what it is. The album is also the first one in which all the band sings lead vocals on at least one song. This album was exceptioanlly well received in the UK and was the 2nd best selling album of 2006 in the UK after only being on sale for one month. The album went on to be the 4th best selling album of 2007 and 33rd best selling of 2008. The album has been certified 8x platinum in the UK and is currently the 35th best selling album in British music history.
=== The Album in Short ===

If you're one of those people that aren't particularly looking for a track-by-track breakdown of the album in question then this section is for you and you can simply gloss over the track analysis if you wish. Beautiful World is a lovely little album to have in your collection if you can get it at the right price. The fact that all the band sing lead vocals at some point really makes the album stand out and I must say that I prefer this to the Williams domination of previous Take That albums. The songs within it are all pretty much the same but pleasant to listen to I must admit. Unfortunately however the albums opening track isn't as good as it should be and, although the album picks up with 'Patience' and 'Beautiful World' and then goes out on a high with the fantastic 'Wooden Boat', this does somewhat put the dampers on things a little.

=== Track Breakdown ===

ONE - Reach Out
Reach Out has quite an upbeat backing track to start with but quite quickly you come to realise that the song is going to be much slower and reflective than you at first think. The chorus for the song however is still backed by some heavy drumbeats and is quite catchy. Overall the song is pretty decent and the vocals are performed well. Personally though I wouldn't have begun the album with this track.
'The world sleeps at different times
With one turn your day is now my night
We all live sharing the air that we breathe'
*******7/10*******

TWO - Patience
This track is probably one of the more famous Take That tracks and one of my personal favourites. This track gives you no false illusions with regards to the backing track and progresses exactly as you would imagine it to - slow and steady yet beautiful at the same time. The track really captures the feeling and emotion behind the lyrics and the vocals are brilliantly from the start. Why wasn't the album opened by this track?
'Just have a little patience
I'm still hurting from a love I lost
I'm feeling your frustration
Any minute all the pain will stop.'
**********10/10**********

THREE - Beautiful World
The title track for the album is similarly a beautiful song to listen to and would have been a far greater album opener than 'Reach Out'. The lyrics are lovely to listen to and show off the talent of their author. They are also sung to perfection and really showcase the vocal talents of all the bands members. From the very start of this track you are certain it's going to be a good one and it doesn't disappoint.
'Here standing in the rain
The sun has gone again and nothing's gonna change
Time, I need a little time as you slip out of sight
And nothing heals the pain.'
**********9/10*********

FOUR - Hold On
This track has a very different instrumental start that relies more on guitars than the piano rifts we have gotten used to. The lyrics themselves are quite clever and are sung very well. Barlow once again takes lead in this track but the others provide some wonderful backing vocals that make the song a real gem to listen to.
'I'm triyin' to think of what to do
To really make it up to you
So many truths, too many lies'
********9/10********

FIVE - Like I Never Loved You At All
This track is a really great one to listen to because the pace and tempo seems to change from time to time as does the tune and this makes it a really interesting musical piece. The lyrics are again lovely to listen to and have clearly been very cleverly and thoughtfully constructed. Furthermore they are sung with emotion that makes them ring true.
'Now you're so far away
And I see our star is fading
One too many times
Guess it just got tired of waiting around.'
********9/10********

SIX - Shine
This track is probably the most well known from this album and it's also one of my favourites. The song is really upbeat and bright and this is really endearing. Furthermore Mark Owen sings the lead vocals and this gives the track a whole different sound, which is again something that makes you warm to it.
'Stop being so hard on yourself
It's not good for your health
I know that you can change'
**********10/10**********

SEVEN - I'd Wait For Life
After the last track this one is much more sombre and slow. This however is a welcome change and this track is actually one I quite enjoy. The lyrics are heartfelt and filled with emotion as are the vocals, which are performed by Gary Barlow.
'If I close my eyes
I'll dream a little deeper baby
'Cause you are always on my mind'
********8/10********

EIGHT - Ain't No Sense in Love
Ain't No Sense in Love is also quite slow but again one that is really pleasant to listen to. The opening verse grabs you immediately and the rest of the verses and chorus have been well constructed. Barlow's vocals are again top class and ably backed up by the other band members.
'I'm afraid of the morning
I'm afraid of the light
You should come with a warning
You should be wearing a sign'
*********9/10*********

NINE - What You Believe In
This track to be honest doesn't particularly sound like it belongs to Take That at all. The reason for this is that it doesn't have a strong beat or even a fluid backing track and does at times sound a little under-backed musically. The chorus however is rather memorable and well performed.
'Tell me the word and I'll shout it out
For what is a voice when in doubt?
The world has changed
The world will change'
******6/10******

TEN - Wooden Boat
This track is my favourite on the entire album and in my opinion a fantastic track to end on. It has a unique sound in comparison to all the others on this album and for that reason I think it sounds out. On top of that the vocals are simply sublime and the lyrics themselves beautiful to listen to. Once you have heard this song you don't forget it.
'A little boy me went fishing in a wooden boat
Sitting there for hours in the cold
Patience is a virtue 'til we die
Then a ripple in the water caught my eye.'
**********10/10**********

== CLOSING COMMENT ==

This album is one that although on first playing I wasn't too keen, now find myself playing quite regularly. A couple of the songs aren't too much to my liking but others are brilliant and Wooden Boat really inspired in my opinion. I'm not sure I would pay a lot for the album though if I were looking to buy it. If you can find it at a decent price then go for it. If not then simply purchase the songs you like.

Summary: An album that you find yourself listenign to more and more