Heavy Entertainment Show
by Robbie Williams
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Nov 4, 2016
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 67 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 67
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 67
  3. Negative: 8 out of 67
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  1. docoflove1974
    Nov 12, 2016
    8
    I'll echo many of the positive reviews here: if you're a Robbie fan, you will thoroughly enjoy this album. It's clear that 'Cheeky Robbie" is back; from the title track to "Party Like a Russian" to "Sensational," the swagger is strong and true. Even "Motherf***er" is a refreshing take on acknowledging that the family is nuts...and that's just fine. "Mixed Signals" is another track that II'll echo many of the positive reviews here: if you're a Robbie fan, you will thoroughly enjoy this album. It's clear that 'Cheeky Robbie" is back; from the title track to "Party Like a Russian" to "Sensational," the swagger is strong and true. Even "Motherf***er" is a refreshing take on acknowledging that the family is nuts...and that's just fine. "Mixed Signals" is another track that I hope gets a lot of airplay, as it's a potential hitmaker. Not only are the collaborations with his long-time songwriting partner Guy Chambers top-notch, but his collaborations with Rufus Wainright are spot-on, in particular "Hotel Crazy." Overall, most of the songs have the calling-card of Robbie Williams: they're self-effacing, bombastic, honest, scathing, charismatic, full of life, twinged with regret--all of the complex characteristics that Robbie Williams fans have grown accustomed to in his best songs. It may not be on part with "Sing When You're Winning" or "Escapology," but it shows potential for greatness. It's definitely worth checking out.… Expand
  2. Danman1006
    Nov 9, 2016
    10
    Really don't know why the critics don't like this album. In an era of music that really isn't interesting Robbie has somehow managed to create an album that is interesting and is better than almost every album on sale at the minute. What's more is that through the mixture of tracks on the album Robbie shows what a good voice he has got. From the brilliant "Hello" at the end of lyricallyReally don't know why the critics don't like this album. In an era of music that really isn't interesting Robbie has somehow managed to create an album that is interesting and is better than almost every album on sale at the minute. What's more is that through the mixture of tracks on the album Robbie shows what a good voice he has got. From the brilliant "Hello" at the end of lyrically brilliant Heavy Entertainment Show through the perfect romp of Mixed Signals and big band sound of Sensational Robbie just sounds brilliant.

    Interestingly through is not considered pop by modern standards... Probably just because of how good it is.

    Robbie Williams is defiantly back with his best album since Escapology or Intensive Care.    … Expand
  3. TMKTanner
    May 6, 2017
    8
    This album was my first introduction to Robbie Williams (I'm American, so the only way to discover him is just by sheer luck). I have to say that I REALLY love this album! Bear in mind that I may be biased because, well, American pop/rock/dance is a bit **** right now. But pretty much Every song on this album ranges from good to great. There are a few low points like Love My Life, whichThis album was my first introduction to Robbie Williams (I'm American, so the only way to discover him is just by sheer luck). I have to say that I REALLY love this album! Bear in mind that I may be biased because, well, American pop/rock/dance is a bit **** right now. But pretty much Every song on this album ranges from good to great. There are a few low points like Love My Life, which sounds extremely generic. But the rest of the album is just amazing!

    Best Songs: Time On Earth (The best song on the album IMO), **** (Very close 2nd), David's Song, When You Know, Mixed Signals, Bruce Lee (I was really expecting this song to be awful but I actually really like it), Best Intentions, Party Like A Russian (Which most people seemed to not like, but I did), Hotel Crazy.

    Good, but not great songs: The Heavy Entertainment Show (Without the music video it's not very remarkable), Pretty Woman (VERY catchy but the lyrics could be more interesting), Sensitive (Pretty much same case as Pretty Woman. Catchy but not super great), Marry Me, I Don't Want To Hurt You, Sensational.

    Bad songs: Love My Life (It's just so vanilla and boring).

    All in all, a pretty solid album if you ask me!    … Expand
  4. Trigueiro
    Nov 4, 2016
    10
    Robbie is Robbiw. Super King! The best sound is back for us in this album. Probably this work will be the future of my favorites, with the Intensive Care
  5. mitokio
    Nov 4, 2016
    10
    Hmmm.... not sure why the critics are being so harsh. There are a bunch of catchy tunes here and in the year that other artists seem very full of themselves (looking at you Lady Gaga), this is the typical cheeky fun we'd expect from Robbie. Gawd, even many of the lyrics are clever, witty and, well, lyrical. Hope the fans like it better than the critics.
  6. Vitasha007
    Dec 2, 2016
    10
    Best Robbie Williams album from the time of Escapology. Mr. Williams really back. Songs like Mixed Signal, Motherf***er, Sensational, Love My Life, Time on Earth and I Don't Want to Hurt You - masterpieces. Brilliant work. Real inspiration.
  7. Rodkrieg
    Apr 3, 2020
    10
    What the...people? it’s a great album, I don’t understand why Robbie has low ranking here, you don’t know anything.
  8. maquisl
    Jul 24, 2020
    7
    It's not his best album nor it's the worst. It's better than Take The Crown? Yes. But I still feel like it's a mix. Robbie was trying to find a hit so he just added a lot of different songs.

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Most Discussed Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. Clash Music
    Nov 28, 2016
    40
    Unfocused, inconsistent and underwhelming, The Heavy Entertainment Show is homogenised pop at its most stupefying.
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  2. AllMusic
    Nov 11, 2016
    80
    Mr. Entertainment and his bombast do not disappoint. The Heavy Entertainment Show is his most invigorated album in years, a truer return to the pop realm than 2012's Take the Crown.
    Read full review
  3. Drowned In Sound
    Nov 8, 2016
    30
    The feeling [is] that nothing here belongs to Robbie Williams, that he’s officially completely interchangeable, that he’s become trapped in a maze of his own making, and all of the noise seems so very quiet now.
    Read full review
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