Lopez Blogs

Look. I've been obsessing over Robbie Williams' Bodies all the live long day. It's no surprise really. Ever since I purchased the 7" of Do What U Like and waited (in vain) for the song to debut at number one, Robbie has always been my favourite male singer. I may have had a bit of a bumpy history with him of late (Feel and Radio were brilliant lead off singles, Tripping and Rudebox less so) but that doesn't mean I adore him any less. So all that said, I couldn't be more thrilled with the comeback song Bodies. I was tempted to spunk my thoughts up dead quick at 8.45am but there were plenty of news blogs/sites doing that with little opinion or critical analysis of what they were writing about. However, I wanted the song to *marinate* a little bit first with me - and here are some of the key points that make this a successful comeback:

• Robbie looks good. Whether it be in the lovely album cover above, the shirt and tie look in the Popjustice post or him strutting through the big sweeping chorus bit (right before a quick crotch touch! Woohoo) in the video preview, he looks good for his age without trying to be anything other than just him. And to me that is way cooler than trying to keep up with the latest fashions...
• The first few bars are great - some gregorian chants over a very fuzzy electro beat that vaguely recalls Radio, but a more rocky version.
• Robbie has always had a bit of a fetish for half sung and half rapped verses, which he does well enough but they always come off better when they are followed by an immense chorus - in this case, massive sing a long with some orchestral bits added too. Most delicious.
• "All we ever wanted is to look good naked/hoping someone can take it/god save me rejection/from my reflection/i want perfection" - who can't identify with the insanely high level of body facism that exists in today's world?
• It's a song with hidden layers and depths so it is going to sound better and better over time, which bodes well for long term success of the single and as a taster for an album it's a corker of a song - kudos to Trevor Horn for some canny production values which are just sumptuous.
• "Jesus didn't die for you - what are you on?" sung with a gospel choir in the background. Brilliant.
• There is absolutely no need for the media to focus on Take That getting big as Robbie "flopped" in 2006. That's just lazy convenience. And this song is proof that both can co-exist quite nicely thank you very much.

For some other good reads on this try Digital Spy, Louder Than SF's spot on first impressions and of course the well written Popjustice article. Expect much much much more on Robbie over the coming weeks...

Yes, other music that exists at the moment:

• Out the same day as Robbie's single (Oct 12th) is Alexandra's Bad Boys. It's not a bad song, but it's biggest problem is identity. It doesn't set Alexandra's stall out the same way Bleeding Love did for Leona - it's part Katy Perry part Britney. The moto blanco radio mix makes it slightly more dance, less pop and is quite good - but makes it sound even more generic. Still, kudos to the song for making me interested in the singer!
• Yay for Leona's song debuting on Radio 1 on Sunday - it's called Happy and Popjustice have the scoop. Though apparently it's not out til November so such an early radio play is ridiculous. Cheryl Cole's song is being played next week too so my reactions to that will be "interesting"... I'm somewhat open minded :P
• Lenka and Marit Larsen seem to finally garnering some much deserved success for last years album releases. I've been revisiting both lately and they are still solid pieces of work.
• The world and his blind mutt knows by now that Mariah has covered I Wanna Know What Love Is. It's completely generic Mariah, a step back to the 90s and a world away from her recent stuff. I absolutely love it. Particularly the key change. I have no shame :)
• Finally, James Leon has gotten around to releasing his phenom Purple Heart track and a couple of other bloggers have written (quite rightly) very nice things about it - read what Yuri says here and Aaron over at Fabtastic here... Personally I am loving myself sick in the Phil Robinson (of Worrapolava fame!) remix...

TOP 21 SONGS OF THE WEEK:

21 ~ JLS, Beat Again
20 ~ Lily Allen, 22
19 ~ Blake Lewis, Sad Songs
18 ~ Erik Hassle, Don't Bring Flowers
17 ~ Marina & The Diamonds, Obsessions
16 ~ Pet Shop Boys, All Over The World
15 ~ Industry, Burn
14 ~ BWO, Love Comes Crashing Down
13 ~ The Yeah You's, Getting Up With You
12 ~ Benny Andersson Band, Story Of A Heart
11 ~ Alphabeat, The Spell (NE)
10 ~ Preston, Dressed To Kill
09 ~ Backstreet Boys, Soldier Down
08 ~ Bananarama, Love Comes
07 ~ Little Boots, Remedy
06 ~ Whitney, Million Dollar Bill
05 ~ Same Difference, Better Love Me
04 ~ Sugababes, Get Sexy
03 ~ Mika, We Are Golden
02 ~ Madonna, Celebration
01 ~ Robbie Williams, Bodies (NE/1 Week/Vid)

Coming soon: Review of the new Bananarama album with some other new girlband stuff; some grown up boyband stuff and back on Sunday with X Factor/Elouise! Hope you like the new layout :)