Robbie Williams Will Release Ninth Studio Album, Take The Crown, November 5th; First Single, 'Candy' Out October 28th

As one of three fans of Robbie Williams' CRIMINALLY underrated seventh studio album, Rudebox, I don't think I'll ever really LOVE another Robbie album quite as much as I did that one.  That being said, "Rock DJ" is one of my ALL-TIME fav Robbie Williams tracks, and his latest single, "Candy," due October 28th, is in the same vein and QUITE delectable, especially when you pair it with its incredibly cheeky video counterpart.  Williams says of the track,

"It's a summer song...about a girl who thinks she's great. And she might be, but she's a bit nefarious with her ways. Some songs take an age to write and some songs just fall out of your mouth completely formed, and you don't have to think about it.  I don't know why that fell out of my mouth and out of my brain at that particular time - it just did." 

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Ones to Watch in 2012: Lily Elise

As big a fan I am of Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks, Leona Lewis and other winners, oftentimes the contestants that most captivate me aren't the winners, but rather those that don't even make it to the final round.  Case in point...Lily Elise.  A contestant on season 1 of The Voice, from the moment Elise stepped out on stage, this 20 year talent just emanated pop star appeal.  When she opened her mouth to sing...DAMN!  No wonder she got Christina Aguilera to turn her chair around! Although she was eliminated in the Quarter Finals Elise made an impression on me, so it's exciting to see her moving forward with her own burgeoning pop career.

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Take That Unveil 'Kidz' Single Artwork

After the MASSIVELY successful full fledged comeback last year, Take That is ready to release the second single off of Progress. While not REALLY a comeback, considering the band had released 2 albums since 2006 (Beautiful World and The Circus) Progress marks the return of Robbie Williams, who's been working on solo material since the 90s. Progress debuted at #1 on the Official UK Albums chart and quickly became the fastest selling album of the century and the second fastest selling album of all time. Written by the band and produced by Stuart Price (Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Brandon Flowers), the first single, "The Flood" debuted at #2 on the UK Singles chart.

"Kidz," the second single lifted off of Progress will be released on February 21st in the UK and will feature a B-Side, a brand new track called "Rocket Ship." Can't wait! Check out the boys talking about the "Kidz" back-story below.

Check out Take That on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//YouTube

Robbie Williams Reveals Artwork and Tracklisting for New Greatest Hits Collection

Remember back in June when I talked about the new Robbie Williams greatest hits compilation? Well, we now have a tracklisting AND cover art. In and Out of Consciousness - The Greatest Hits 1990 - 2010 comes out October 11th (October 12th in the States) and features the single, "Shame" co-written AND featuring former bandmate Gary Barlow, new track "Heart and I" (also written with Barlow) + 37 other favorites from the last twenty years of Williams' career. Isn't the album artwork STUNNING? The photo was captured by photographer Julian Broad (who also handled the cover art for last album Reality Killed The Video Star and it's first single "Bodies") in Malibu, California. What's hotter than Robbie Williams walking on a beach with waves crashing behind him...wind blowing up his button down shirt? NOTHING, as far as I'm concerned! The video for first single "Shame" was filmed in a country/western bar and features Williams and Barlow in a sort of 'Brokeback Mountain'-like situation. I'm intrigued slash a little excited.

Oh...and what's more? Robbie Williams will be joining his former Take That bandmates for an upcoming new album AND tour. Looks like Robbie's greatest hits album will be coming out at JUST the right time. "Shame" comes out October 4th. Check out the full tracklisting below and if you haven't seen the video about the new CD check that out HERE. Looks like this Fall is going to be all about Robbie Williams and I think I'm alright with that.

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Robbie Williams to Release 'In and Out of Consciousness' Celebrating 20 Years of Hits

Wow. When I first heard that Robbie Williams was releasing ANOTHER greatest hits album, covering 20 years of songs...I could barely believe that he had been singing for 20 years. But then I watched the above trailer for the hits compilation, titled In and Out of Consciousness - The Greatest Hits 1990 - 2010 and it all became very real. What a legacy! While Williams has had faltering chart success here in the U.S. over in Europe he's a pop legend, and rightfully so. Robbie Williams has got it all. He's got the look...he's got the voice...he's got the moves (see the video for "Rock DJ"). I already have his last Greatest Hits album (2004's Greatest Hits) but I would consider purchasing this one as well.

The new set, due out on CD and DVD October 12th will be preceded by new single "Shame" (co-penned by Gary Barlow) on October 5th. This comprehensive 2-CD compilation features 39 songs and is coming to you via Astralwerks Records. Williams has sold 57 million albums, 11 million singles and has amassed 7 number 1 albums in his native United Kingdom, becoming the biggest selling UK solo artist. Quite an honor!

Says Williams in a Press Release - "It's incredible to listen to the album and realize that it's already been 20 years of making music and playing gigs. And the great thing about the album is that it's not only a celebration of my past, but also a bridge to the future." More on the final tracklisting when it becomes available! In the meantime, here's to you Robbie. Here's to 20 more years of hits.

Check out Robbie Williams on the web:

Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//YouTube//Twitter

Hot Music Video Alert: Robbie Williams - You Know Me

Massive Album Artwork Update

OK...putting up a quick album artwork update while I have some computer access. Currently I'm in the Chicago burbs at my parents place...the tail end of a week long vacation that took me from Boston to Corvallis (Oregon) then to Portland and now, sweet home Chicago. I didn't really do TOO much shopping but while in Portland I stumbled upon a cute little indie music shop (Jackpot Records) and bought a couple of Girl Talk CDs (partially to prepare for November's show). I really fell in love with Portland on this trip. What a GREAT city. Lots of great shops, hipster boys around every corner and amazing food and coffee.

I'll be back in Boston on Monday night and blogging (semi) regularly from then on. For now, here's some cool new album artwork to keep you busy, courtesy of the always helpful Coverlandia and Covermania teams. In interest of getting a good night's sleep tonight...I will be posting three words that describe the album artwork, rather than my usual 1-2 paragraphs of commentary. Sometimes brevity is better.

La Roux - I'm Not Your Toy (SINGLE): Stoic, Regal, Elizabethan

Beyoncé - Broken-Hearted Girl (SINGLE): Sexy, Diva, Vixen

Beverley Knight - Beautiful Night (SINGLE): Classy, Stunning, Strong

Anouk - For Bitter Or Worse (ALBUM): Dirty, Raunchy, Erotic

Wale - Attention Deficit (ALBUM): Innocent, Creative, Retro

Luis Fonsi - Tu Amor (EP): Alluring, Mysterious, Sexy

Tokio Hotel - Humanoid (ALBUM): Unoriginal, Futuristic, Robotic

Carrie Underwood - Play On (ALBUM): Smoldering, Sweet, Suburban

Robbie Williams - Reality Killed The Video Star (ALBUM): Rebellious, Hollywood, Vintage

Robbie Williams - Bodies (SINGLE): Bad-ass, scruffy, Sexy

Shakira - She Wolf (ALBUM): Barbarella, Sequined, Animalistic

Madonna - Celebration (ALBUM): Retro, Iconic, Poptastic

Michael Bublé - Haven't Met You Yet (SINGLE): Jazzy, Classic, Suave

Leona Lewis - Happy (SINGLE): Free-spirited, Fun-loving, Fiery

Mariah Carey - I Want To Know What Love Is (SINGLE): Uninspired, Plain, Lacklustre

Basshunter - Bass Generation (ALBUM): Euro-trashy, Airbrushed, Tease

Natalie Imbruglia - Come To Life (ALBUM): Natural, Wide-eyed, Ingenue

Natalie Imbruglia - Want (SINGLE): Bold, Loud, Floral

Musical Snippets - New Robbie Williams, Natasha Bedingield, Natalie Imbruglia & More!

Wow. Lots of little updates to go over spanning all genres of music. Let's see...where to start...

Robbie Williams - Back With A New Album: Finally! The hottest hunk from the UK music scene is back with new material. The album, called Reality Killed The Video Star is out November 9th, preceded by the first single, "Bodies" which comes out on October 12th. It sounds like Robbie Williams is ditching the electro-sounds of his commercial & critical mixed bag of an album, Rudebox and going for a more traditional pop sound. Working with producers including Guy Chambers (David Archuleta, Natasha Bedingfield, James Blunt) and Trevor Horn (Cher, Pet Shop Boys, Seal) there's a lot riding on this new album, rumored to be his last with EMI. Williams needs a hit, whether he'd care to admit it or not.

Check out Robbie Williams on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Bebo//YouTube

Natalie Imbruglia - Back With A New Album: I trust Popjustice when they say the new Natalie Imbruglia single isn't shit. They describe it as a "slightly electronic Kate Bush kind of affair." Sounds good to me! The single is called "Want" and will be released on September 28th. This will be the lead single off of Come To Life, to be released on October 15 on Island Records. According to a press release, "the album was produced by Ben Hillier (Blur, Elbow, Depeche Mode), and features three writing collaborations with Coldplay including the first single ‘Want’, which Natalie co-wrote with Chris Martin." Very promising indeed! The release goes on to say, Come To Life charts an entirely new path for this vastly under-rated artist. The opening salvo of “My God” and two Coldplay collaborations, “Lukas” and “Fun”immediately establish the breadth of this remarkable record which combine dark, driving beats and gorgeously wistful ballads into a totally cohesive whole." Hopefully there's the perfect blend of up-tempo and mid-tempo ballads on this album. I don't want another snoozefest!

Check out Natalie Imbruglia on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Bebo//YouTube//Twitter//Vimeo

Natasha Bedingfield "Waist Deep" In Writing New Album: This is good news. I'm really thrilled that Natasha Bedingfield has seen so much success in the States. That's quite a difficult thing to accomplish for a European artist. I can proudly say that I loved Natasha BEFORE she was popular here in the U.S. and have both the UK and US versions of her debut album. In her latest blog update on her official site, Bedingfield admits that album writing is her favorite part of the process. "It's nice to put aside the promotion side of my career and really focus on what attracted me to music in the first place," Bedingfield says. She also mentions that she's been collaborating/writing with Danielle Brisebois, John Shanks, Wyclef, Estelle, Sam Sparro and Sia. All good news, indeed. Too bad we have to wait "half a year" to hear it.

Check out Natasha Bedingfield on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Bebo//YouTube//Twitter

I've Got A Date With Ray: I just got my tickets this morning for the Fall 2009 Ray LaMontagne tour. I'm OBVIOUSLY so excited. This Fall is looking to be a big one for live music. I'm already going to see Kylie Minogue, Girl Talk and now Ray LaMontagne. I still desperately want to see Regina Spektor when she's here, but I don't know if it's in the cards. Anyway, Ray is terrific live so see him if you can. Get your tickets here.

Check Out Ray LaMontagne on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook

New Howie Day Album Due In September: I mentioned back in February that Howie Day had a new record coming out. Well, turns out that in May, he released a digital EP - "Be There." Finally, September 8th sees the release of Day's new album Sound The Alarm. This is exciting news! I am quite fond of his last album, 2003's Stop All The World Now. 6 years later, it's about time for a new Howie Day album! According to Day on his official website, "The new album very obviously echoes my own life, in all of its highs and lows,” Day says. “Some of the songs draw inspiration from people and places I’ve observed, and then bits of my own experiences find their way in. This new album represents the end of one era and the start of another, it’s about tipping your hat to the past, living in the here and now, and looking optimistically toward the future." Whatever this new album is about, I'm ready for a new Day!

Howie Day, that is.

Check out Howie Day on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//imeem//YouTube//Twitter

Michelle Branch - Sooner Or Later: The first single off of the new Michelle Branch album, "Sooner or Later," isn't half bad. While it's perhaps a little more country than I might usually like, it's enjoyable. I still think I prefer her teaser single, "This Way," but I'll take all the MB I can get. it's been far too long since she put out a solo record. Everything Comes and Goes doesn't yet have an official release date but I'm guessing sometime this fall. Check out an acoustic version of her new single here and buy the album version on iTunes!

Check out Michelle Branch on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter

X-Factor Winner Alexandra Burke to Release Debut Album in October: I learned a couple of weeks ago via The Prophet, that X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke is close to finishing her debut album. FINALLY! It seems like it's been forever. The still as of yet untitled album is due out October 26th in the UK and features collaborations from the Freemasons, Taio Cruz, RedOne, Pharrell Williams, Stargate, Akon, and more. Wow! Quite an impressive list. Burke, who shot the video for the first single in LA, has also signed a deal to become the face of Dolce & Gabbana's youth collection. Burke will be wearing the designer's clothes in both the album artwork and subsequent music videos as part of a cross promotional campaign. Can't wait to hear what the first single will be!

Check out Alexandra Burke on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Bebo//YouTube//Twitter