Take the Crown
by Robbie Williams
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. PopMatters
    Jan 15, 2013
    70
    Even with that less-consistent Side B in mind, there's still no denying that Take the Crown remains the most wildly entertaining album Robbie Williams has released in years, unabashedly broad in appeal but immaculately well-crafted, at times even rivaling Williams' best work.
  2. BBC Music
    Nov 27, 2012
    60
    It's safe, something of a retreat from past endeavours to a sound more suited to commercial returns in the present.
  3. Uncut
    Nov 27, 2012
    70
    The songwriting is impressive throughout. [Dec 2012, p.79]
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  5. The Guardian
    Nov 27, 2012
    80
    The contributions of Williams and his latest songwriting partners, a couple of unknown Australians called Tim Metcalfe and Flynn Francis, are sometimes brilliant and never less than well crafted.
  6. Mojo
    Nov 27, 2012
    60
    Take The Crown plays it safe. [Dec 2012, p.85]
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  7. Q Magazine
    Nov 27, 2012
    60
    The fact remains that Take The Crown is a disappointment. [Dec 2012, p.99]
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  8. The Independent (UK)
    Nov 27, 2012
    60
    While Take The Crown undoubtedly contains many individual tracks sure to tickle the mainstream pop palate, that doesn't in itself make for a great album.
  9. The Telegraph (UK)
    Nov 27, 2012
    60
    It is not unimpressive, with energy and attack and flashes of wit but there are too few of the kind of mad pop moments that make you stop in your tracks and not enough evidence that Williams is stretching and growing as a songwriting talent.
  10. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Nov 27, 2012
    60
    If you loved Williams the way he was, rejoice. If you didn't, it may be time to switch off the radio and television for a few months, and bury your head in a bucket of calamine lotion.
  11. The Observer (UK)
    Nov 27, 2012
    40
    Collectively, Team Williams (producer Jacknife Lee is on board, too) struggle to find a copper-bottomed, gut-feel voice for Robbie 2.0, settling for a variety of puzzling gambits that miss as often as they hit.
  12. AllMusic
    Nov 27, 2012
    60
    Take the Crown features Robbie doing what Robbie does best--writing and performing effortless pop music--but not at his best.
  13. musicOMH.com
    Nov 27, 2012
    50
    Aside from its undertone of paranoid desperation, however, the album is a largely by-the-numbers exercise and seems almost certain to quickly fall off the public consciousness.
  14. Slant Magazine
    Nov 27, 2012
    50
    Take the Crown lapses into the same grandiose self-help talk and too-slick production that's marred his recent albums.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 42
  3. Negative: 1 out of 42
  1. koszulla
    Oct 16, 2013
    9
    For myself it's just Robbie's comeback to the biggest of them all. An Instant classic like Candy or superb Different and full of energy HeyFor myself it's just Robbie's comeback to the biggest of them all. An Instant classic like Candy or superb Different and full of energy Hey Wow Yeah Yeah makes that album not a perfect but very-good in my opinion. Welcome back Robbie!… Full Review »
  2. alicegoldman
    Jan 3, 2013
    7
    When i first heard the album i didn't get it....it all sounded like a mess, specially songs like "Hey Wow Yeah Yeah" and "S*it On The Radio".When i first heard the album i didn't get it....it all sounded like a mess, specially songs like "Hey Wow Yeah Yeah" and "S*it On The Radio". After 5 or 6 times this songs actually became pretty funny, but nothing compared to other works like "Last Days Of Disco", from the Reality album. There are also masterpieces like "Into the Silence" and "Different". In the end its a good pop album, still there are other Robbie's albums so much better than this one.… Full Review »
  3. gabriel9616
    Jan 3, 2013
    9
    "Take The Crown" it's just as good as he previously album "Reality Killed The Video Star" very consistent and coherent. It''s probally his"Take The Crown" it's just as good as he previously album "Reality Killed The Video Star" very consistent and coherent. It''s probally his most funny album, with funny songs like "Candy" and "Hey Wow Yeah Yeah". It all works when you listen the album, the songs have a really good connection.… Full Review »
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