Robbie Williams Announces ‘Reality Killed The Video Star’

Robbie Williams has had a career full of ups and downs. Starting out with the best British boy band ever in Take That, he then became disillusioned with life in a manufactured pop group and left. He then became mates with Oasis before they dropped him like a hot potato. He then launched a solo career which proved highly successful and lucrative.

However, then came Rudebox, his last album which upon release in 2006 was ripped apart by the critics and given a thumbs down by the fans. The big problem was the separation of the songwriting partnership Williams enjoyed with Guy Chambers, who penned most of Robbie’s most-beloved hits. The album still did well, topping the charts around the world and selling in excess of five million copies. But it’s clear Robbie needed a break to recharge his batteries.

Which is exactly what he did, taking a couple of years out from the limelight, choosing instead to fill his time with chasing UFOs and indulging his passion for the paranormal. He was thought to be on strike against his record label EMI during this time, refusing to work for Terra Firma and the man in charge Guy Hands.

But unlike Radiohead, the Rolling Stones, and Paul McCartney, Williams didn’t leave the label, and his self-enforced exile from the music business is now over. Williams this week announced that he’ll be releasing a comeback album on November 9. Titled Reality Killed The Video Star (obviously a play on Buggles’ Video Killed The Radio Star), the album will be preceded by a new single called Bodies released on October 12.

When a new album was rumored at the end of last year I questioned whether anyone would actually care. And it seems they do. And I must admit even I am interested to see what Williams has been doing for the past three years. Williams promises “a killer” album which includes traces of the “old Robbie, new Robbie and a Robbie that neither of us have met”. There is also a dedication to Michael Jackson in there.

Robbie has clearly retained a lot of fans despite the crapness of Rudebox. They will buy the new album regardless. But to truly succeed Williams needs to appeal to new and old fans alike, and for that to happen Reality Killed The Video Star is going to have to be good. The title implies some navel-gazing on Robbie’s part and that introspection could have produced a memorable album. Here’s hoping.

[Photo Source: Amazon.co.uk]