Take That - The Circus: Review

Against all the odds, Take That’s 2005 reunion turned out to be a raging success.

Without Robbie Williams, many thought they’d sink like a stone. But while Gazza, Howard, little Mark and Jason scaled the heights, it was superstar Robbie whose career hit the depths.

Skilfully rebranded as a middle-aged man band in a clever TV documentary, they followed it up with a record-breaking tour and an album, Beautiful World, which sold more than any of its predecessors.

The ongoing embarrassment of Mark Owen’s solo career was no more. A dapper Gary Barlow was off the pastries and back on the piano.

Confidently reconvening this April, the lads have delivered a polished follow-up in remarkably quick time. With its giddy highs and orchestral flourishes, musical glitter balls and assorted baubles, The Circus is skillfully stage-managed theatrical pop which succeeds in emphasising both individual personalities and their newly-established group democracy.

The record gives Jason Orange the lead on the glossy but angst-ridden soul-baring How Did It Come To This. Howard holds court on the dazed, shimmering What Is Love and the extravagant billowing Here. See - they aren’t just there to perform stage moves to make your average pole dancer’s eyes water.

Big no-brainer choruses on Julie and Hello spell pop simplicity rather than sophistication.

But they bring a fallible human quality to an album which is all about gilding their strong bond with their original fans.

Take That were never going to be a big hit in hip circles, but these pop clowns maintain their place in the Big Top with a connection more lasting than tastemakers realise.

Up All Night has Simon And Garfunkel-style harmony busking, a McCartney-lite fandango and a special request. "Baby I want you to save me/I should be up all night with you."

It’s an offer their fans will find hard to resist.



Track listing

1. Garden



2. Greatest Day



3. Hello



4. Said It All



5. Julie



6. Circus



7. How Did It Come To This
8. Up All Night



9. What Is Love



10. You



11. Hold Up A Light



12. Here/She Said







Original article here