Album: Robbie Williams - 'Reality Killed The Video Star'

Being touted as Robbie's 'comeback' record (even though his last record Rudebox came out in 2006, and he hasn't technically been 'away'), Reality Killed The Video Star is possibly the most important release of the 35 year old Mr Williams' career.

Competing with JLS' debut album for the top spot in the album chart (it was neck and neck at time of writing), it has a huge Take That shaped shadow to try to fill. This is no trivial release.

Robbie's always walked the line between cheeky pop prince and slightly manic drug taking rocker-wannabe, so it's not surprise that his Reality Killed The Video Star isn't all sugary pop. He's always been expert at combining moments of light and dark, and this record is no exception.

Opener Morning Sun is sweeping, radio friendly epic pop, with strings, pianos and soaring vocals aplenty. As an intro, it's a strong one - grown up and assured. Bodies, on the other hand, sounds disjointed and confused; despite heavy airplay, it still jars (not least for the sub-Eurythmics synths and the creepy bit where Robbie squeals 'yeah!'). It's catchy, but the first-person lyrics that attempt zeitgeist-friendly observations which have always typified Williams sound a little dated now.

However, he pulls it back - Do You Mind is a silly rock-pop romp that validates his cheesy motorbike cover pose, the swanky second single You Know Me sounds like a Girls Aloud ballad (and that's a good thing), and little vignette Somewhere suggests some recent heavy rotation of the Beatles' White Album.

Robbie certainly hasn't lost his voice or persona, and while Take That are polished, slender and better looking than ever, it's quite refreshing that Robbie is still making slightly rubbish pop music and never appears quite wholesome. Reality Killed The Video Star is very listenable and certainly entertaining, even for a non-fan, and a worthy contender for the top of the charts.

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Buy Reality Killed The Video Star on CD from Amazon for around £8 or download it from 7digital for £5.