Lopez Blogs

The return and comeback of Take That is a unique one. And one that has been responsible for quite a few embarrassing attempted returns since. The very reason that Take That's comeback worked and has been so incredibly successful was that no one - least of all the band - were expecting it. An unassuming documentary lead to a rerelease of the greatest hits and a small tour, that was successful beyond anyone's expectations. A new album was practically demanded by the public and well, the rest as they say is history... And therein lies the reason it worked. I'm not sure a nation was clambering to hear the Spice Girls return for some piss poor live dates and an even worse comeback single. And it seems that America wasn't particularly bothered about Old Men Off The Block baring their chests and singing about sex. Plus NKOTB just aren't very nice people whereas Take That seem utterly charming, and of course Gary has replaced Robbie as most effable person ever to be in the group.


The Circus builds upon the work of Beautiful World in making Take That a unified cohesive band that actually play off each other's strengths. And rather than repeat the formula of BW, they have taken it and improved it through some incredible songwriting, catchy melodies and gorgeous instrumental arrangements. The Circus is an album that continues to pay homage to their boyband roots but certainly moves them way beyond that. They veer dangerously close to Snow Patrol territory on some songs, but even then remain brilliant because each tune here has some element of pop magic injected into it's very veins. Take stunning opening track The Garden - it starts as an unassuming little tune that ultimately explodes into an anthem so powerful and affecting that it takes an orchestra and brass band to prop it up. It's also rather lovely to hear Gary and Mark trade vocals. And of course everyone has heard the number one single Greatest Day by now - the tune that seems to go nowhere, but it still jam packed with emotion and passion and more of a grower than an immediate punch. Hello has a chorus that Roxette would be proud of and as I love Mark's voice is a lovely plinky piano pop gem. It;s the bubbles rising to the top in a glass of lemonade, the track really is fizzypop at it's most fun.

Said It All is definitely a potential single - a mid tempo ballad, the likes of which they excel at (think Rule The World, which is still hanging around the charts a year after release). Again it's a vocal tradeoff between Gary and Mark, with some lovely layered harmonies during the chorus that rival The Feeling for most harmonic group in Britain. This track is going to sound glo-horious live. Moving on - if Nicola is a driving force behind the new Girls Aloud album, then Mark Owen really makes his, ahem, mark on this album. Julie is almost a mark owen solo song, but works in the take that mould in a way that (much as i want it to) Blame It On The Boogie wouldn't. It's definitely got touches of the Beatles influence in there and again, the shalalalala bits will go down a treat live. Mark's vocals have never sounded so confident and positive. This would be a brave single release, but a phenomenal one that the band could definitely pull off. Let's not forget that Jason and Howard have their moments too - Jason's How Did It Come To This is utterly bonkers yet beautifully reflective with some great lyrics - it's almost a more humanised male version of Lily Allen's Fear. Aces. Howard gets the acoustic What Is Love - not the Haddaway classic sadly. That would've been fun.

Apart from The Garden, Greatest Day, Said It All and How Did It Come To This, the album highlights again come from Mark. Up All Night is a cheekly little number that is being mooted as the second single and is the spiritual successor to the amazing Shine. Again, glorious harmonies permeate the chorus which has a great hook and some great tambourines during the verses. Hold Up A Light is a brilliant album ender - as amazing as the album opener. The verses are restrained, yet you can almost hearing them itching to break free into the soaring chorus where the song really spreads it's wings. And make sure to stay tuned for the barmy She Said bonus track jazzercising it's way as a hidden track after Hold Up A Light. In the 90s Take That were definitely a better singles band than an albums act, but The Circus cements their status as one of England's premiere pop groups with real talent and passion running through their songs. The Circus has completely rearranged my year end best of chart... Damn them...
Potential Singles: Greatest Day; Up All Night; Said It All; The Garden; How Did It Come To This

LINKS:

• Buy the album from amazon
• Take That Come To Town tv special
• Take That on BBC Radio 2

MORE LINKS I'VE CAUGHT UP ON SINCE RETURNING FROM FLORIDA:

• DanUK has done his best albums of 2008 here and his amazing top picks for 2009 here. Be sure to check them out...
• D'luv has his hilarious worst of 2008 up here.

From Sunday - the countdown to Christmas recommences! My 12 favourite things about Christmas takes us right up until Christmas eve. Then following the festive season but before New Years there will be the inevitable best of list and things to look forward to. Hurrah etc.