Rudebox - Robbie Williams
Metascore
53 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 12
  2. Negative: 3 out of 12
  1. 'Rudebox' is not 'Robbie Williams the serious artiste', but it is an amazing pop album.
  2. 80
    An intriguing, funny and inventive listen. [Nov 2006, p.101]
  3. Undoubtedly one of the year's strangest releases.
  4. 60
    It's not always pleasant... but at its best... it's the funniest, most adventurous and liveliest record of his career. [Nov 2006, p.134]
  5. After 16 songs ranging from electro-country to the parody-heavy We're The Pet Shop Boys and various quasi-conversational raps à la the Streets' Mike Skinner about losing his virginity, I felt the man should rope things in.
  6. On this showing he's bored and directionless. [Nov 2006, p.134]
  7. All too often Rudebox plays like an undeveloped collection of half-baked ideas.
  8. Things hover uneasily somewhere between wholesale reinvention and mere superstar vanity project. [28 Oct 2006]
  9. A scant handful of highlights aside, it is packed with half-baked ideas, bad jokes, music that any other star of Williams' stature would be terrified of the general public hearing.
  10. His new lyrical equation seems to be rip off someone else's words, add some street slang that would have been out of date five years ago, mention some brand names, say something offensive and then shoe horn it all together.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 43 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 32
  2. Negative: 10 out of 32
  1. This album is good, but I don't really limke the rap tracks. They just sound... strange. Id buy the tracks Rudebox, Lovelight, The Actor and Good Doctor (the only decent rap track). Full Review »
  2. BenK
    6
    This CD is...interesting. It's not Robbie's best effort - it certainly contains flaws. But there are some amazing songs like the Pet Shop Boys collaborations. It's a little odd for him to go from faux-rock to electro/dance music. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't... Full Review »
  3. TG
    8
    A great throwback album - it's fun, energetic and never takes itself too seriously. Rudebox is pure popcorn fun and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. The first half of the album is stronger and the schtick starts getting a bit old toward the end of the album, but a solidly strong and enjoyable record. Full Review »