Search - Robbie Williams :: Radio 1

Robbie Rocks it up a Notch

Californiaboy | Orinda, CA | 01/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Robbie rocks it up a notch in this fun and frothy single. It's hard to compare "Radio" to any of Robbie's previous recordings, but then Robbie has always been full of surprises. He's proven his ability to pull off hard core rock before as in "Song 3" and "Cursed" on the Canadian release of "Escapology," but here he blends his former rock sound with an eighties synth pop sensibility. While Robbie's vocals remain strong here, this song does not not show off his range the way some of his soaring balads do, but one gets the feeling that "Radio" is more about having fun than testing vocal limits.



Most surprising here is the awesome "Maloney Mix" of the title track. As a gay fan of Robbie, I've long been puzzled by the total lack of quality remixes of his work, especially when Robbie has so many great, dancable hits under his belt. The remixes of "South of the Border" and "Let Me Entertain You" on the "Rarities" album, for instance, are painfully wretched, completely sacrificing Robbie's beautiful voice and lyrics to an agonizingly boring and formless jumble of thumps and buzzes; even the remix of "Rock DJ," perhaps Robbie's catciest dance track, falls far short of success. But this one finally does it right! To hear a Robbie tune remixed well, it's amazing how well his vocals fit right into a pulse pounding, hip grinding electronic mix. Finally, men, it's O.K. to dance the night away with Robbbie!



Also, check out the other fine remix of "Radio" on "Radio Part 2.""