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A Take That reunion was perhaps as inevitable as the fact that Robbie Williams would decide to opt out of the proceedings. He inexplicably became the biggest star out of the franchise, in no way needing the support group the rest craved after their solo projects imploded. And there is something to be said for brand names: even if it didn’t jump-start the phenomenon, the 2006 reunion Beautiful World returned Take That to the upper reaches of the charts, and their 2008 follow-up, The Circus, builds upon its template, offering more of the same without quite seeming like pandering. Fittingly for a foursome facing 40, dance-pop has been banished in favor of well-manicured maturity, culled chiefly from Coldplay, whose tasteful, chilly surfaces blend easily with Gary Barlow’s Elton John and George Michael aspirations. Barlow is also responsible for the gentle Sgt. Pepper's pastiche of the title track, but the one responsible for giving The Circus a bit of a beat is Mark Owen, whose contributions, particularly the cheerfully respectful stomp “Up All Night,” are a welcome respite from the album’s steady, stately march. A little of this Coldplay influence goes a long way -- craftsman that he is, Barlow can mimic this sound as expertly as he mimicked Michael years ago, but these skyscraping sonics aren’t particularly suited for his brand of commercialism, so it’s fortunate that Owen is here to give this a bit of a pulse, with Howard Donald and Jason Orange acting as the bridge between them both. Without those mitigating factors, The Circus would be too coldly calculating -- but this is no longer Barlow’s show, it’s the work of a group where the sum is greater than the parts, and Take That have wound up with an adult pop album that isn’t compelling, but is somewhat comforting.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Steve Morris, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Barlow, Keyboards, Piano, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mark Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Howard Donald, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jason Orange, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stephen Marcussen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Laurence, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - John Shanks, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Nick Cooper, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - mary Scully, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Owen Slade, Tuba, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Montague-Mason, Unknown, Other - Peter Lale, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Wood, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Shari Sutcliffe, Unknown, Other - Jonathan Rees, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Ryan Carline, Engineer, Keyboards, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Jeff Rothschild, Drums, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Wil Malone, String Arranger, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Tombling, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Emlyn Singleton, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Patrick Kiernan, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Pigott-Smith, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Parker, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Graham Archer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rachel Bolt, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - John Barclay, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Liz Edwards, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Berrow, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Nightingale, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Warren Zielinski, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Kate Musker, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Jo Knight, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - David Woodcock, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Boguslav Kostecki, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Watkins, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Daniels, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Rita Manning, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Take That, MainArtist - Richard Lancaster, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Hanson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Pleeth, Cello, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2008 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
Steve Morris, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Barlow, Keyboards, Piano, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mark Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Howard Donald, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jason Orange, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stephen Marcussen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Laurence, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - John Shanks, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Nick Cooper, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - mary Scully, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Montague-Mason, Orchestra Leader, AssociatedPerformer - Peter Lale, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Rees, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Ryan Carline, Engineer, Additional Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Jeff Rothschild, Mixer, Drums, Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Wil Malone, Strings, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Tombling, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Emlyn Singleton, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Patrick Kiernan, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Pigott-Smith, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Parker, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Graham Archer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rachel Bolt, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Liz Edwards, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Berrow, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Warren Zielinski, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Kate Musker, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Jo Knight, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - David Woodcock, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Boguslav Kostecki, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Daniels, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Rita Manning, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Take That, MainArtist - Richard Lancaster, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Hanson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Pleeth, Cello, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2008 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
Steve Morris, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Barlow, Keyboards, Piano, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Steve Robson, ComposerLyricist - Mark Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Howard Donald, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jason Orange, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stephen Marcussen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Laurence, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - John Shanks, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Nick Cooper, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - mary Scully, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Montague-Mason, Unknown, Other - Peter Lale, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Shari Sutcliffe, Unknown, Other - Jonathan Rees, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Ryan Carline, Engineer, Keyboards, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Jeff Rothschild, Drums, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Wil Malone, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Tombling, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Emlyn Singleton, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Patrick Kiernan, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Pigott-Smith, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Parker, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Graham Archer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rachel Bolt, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Liz Edwards, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Berrow, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Warren Zielinski, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Kate Musker, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Jo Knight, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - David Woodcock, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Boguslav Kostecki, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Daniels, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Rita Manning, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Take That, MainArtist - Richard Lancaster, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pete Hanson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Pleeth, Cello, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2008 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
Tim Grant, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Barlow, Keyboards, Piano, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Steve Robson, ComposerLyricist - Mark Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Howard Donald, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jason Orange, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stephen Marcussen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Everton Nelson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - John Shanks, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Nick Cooper, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - mary Scully, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Montague-Mason, Unknown, Other - Peter Lale, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Shari Sutcliffe, Unknown, Other - Jonathan Rees, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Ryan Carline, Engineer, Keyboards, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Jeff Rothschild, Drums, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Wil Malone, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Tombling, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Pigott-Smith, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Parker, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Julian Leaper, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Graham Archer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rachel Bolt, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Liz Edwards, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Clad, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Warren Zielinski, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - David Woodcock, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Boguslav Kostecki, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jim McLeod, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Daniels, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Fischer, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Take That, MainArtist - Richard Lancaster, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Allen Walley, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Caroline Dearnley, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Pleeth, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Alison Kelly, Violin, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2008 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
Matthew Ward, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Barlow, Keyboards, Piano, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Steve Robson, ComposerLyricist - Mark Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Howard Donald, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jason Orange, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stephen Marcussen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Shanks, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Shari Sutcliffe, Unknown, Other - Ryan Carline, Engineer, Keyboards, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Jeff Rothschild, Drums, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Graham Archer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Take That, MainArtist - Richard Lancaster, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Philip Sheppard, Cello, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2008 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
Gary Barlow, Keyboards, Piano, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mark Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Howard Donald, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jason Orange, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stephen Marcussen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Everton Nelson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - John Shanks, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - mary Scully, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Montague-Mason, Unknown, Other - Peter Lale, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Shari Sutcliffe, Unknown, Other - Ryan Carline, Engineer, Keyboards, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Jeff Rothschild, Drums, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Wil Malone, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Tombling, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Graham Archer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rachel Bolt, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Warren Zielinski, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - David Woodcock, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Boguslav Kostecki, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Daniels, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Take That, MainArtist - Richard Lancaster, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Pleeth, Cello, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2008 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
Tim Grant, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Barlow, Keyboards, Piano, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mark Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Howard Donald, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jason Orange, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stephen Marcussen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Everton Nelson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - John Shanks, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Nick Cooper, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - mary Scully, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Montague-Mason, Unknown, Other - Peter Lale, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Shari Sutcliffe, Unknown, Other - Jonathan Rees, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Ryan Carline, Engineer, Keyboards, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Jeff Rothschild, Drums, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Wil Malone, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Tombling, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Pigott-Smith, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Parker, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Julian Leaper, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Graham Archer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rachel Bolt, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Liz Edwards, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Clad, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Warren Zielinski, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - David Woodcock, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Boguslav Kostecki, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jim McLeod, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Daniels, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Fischer, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Take That, MainArtist - Richard Lancaster, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Allen Walley, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Caroline Dearnley, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Pleeth, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Alison Kelly, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jamie Norton, ComposerLyricist - Ben Mark, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2008 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
Gary Barlow, Keyboards, Piano, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mark Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Howard Donald, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jason Orange, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stephen Marcussen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Shanks, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Owen Slade, Tuba, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Montague-Mason, Unknown, Other - Andy Wood, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Shari Sutcliffe, Unknown, Other - Ryan Carline, Engineer, Keyboards, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Jeff Rothschild, Drums, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Wil Malone, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Graham Archer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Barclay, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Nightingale, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Derek Watkins, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Take That, MainArtist - Richard Lancaster, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jamie Norton, ComposerLyricist - Ben Mark, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2008 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
Steve Morris, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Barlow, Keyboards, Piano, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Garfield Jackson, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Howard Donald, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jason Orange, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stephen Marcussen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Laurence, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - John Shanks, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Montague-Mason, Unknown, Other - Peter Lale, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Shari Sutcliffe, Unknown, Other - Ryan Carline, Engineer, Keyboards, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Jeff Rothschild, Drums, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Wil Malone, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Tombling, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Patrick Kiernan, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Pigott-Smith, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Julian Leaper, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Graham Archer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Martin Loveday, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Warren Zielinski, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Boguslav Kostecki, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Take That, MainArtist - Richard Lancaster, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Pleeth, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Ben Mark, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2008 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
Tim Grant, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Barlow, Keyboards, Piano, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mark Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Howard Donald, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jason Orange, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stephen Marcussen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Everton Nelson, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - John Shanks, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Nick Cooper, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - mary Scully, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Montague-Mason, Unknown, Other - Peter Lale, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Shari Sutcliffe, Unknown, Other - Jonathan Rees, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Ryan Carline, Engineer, Keyboards, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Jeff Rothschild, Drums, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Wil Malone, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Tombling, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Pigott-Smith, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Parker, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Julian Leaper, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Graham Archer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rachel Bolt, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Liz Edwards, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Clad, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Warren Zielinski, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - David Woodcock, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Boguslav Kostecki, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Jim McLeod, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Dave Daniels, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Fischer, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Take That, MainArtist - Richard Lancaster, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Allen Walley, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Caroline Dearnley, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Pleeth, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Alison Kelly, Violin, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2008 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
Steve Morris, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Barlow, Keyboards, Piano, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Garfield Jackson, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Howard Donald, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jason Orange, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stephen Marcussen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Laurence, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - John Shanks, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Montague-Mason, Unknown, Other - Peter Lale, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Shari Sutcliffe, Unknown, Other - Ryan Carline, Engineer, Keyboards, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Jeff Rothschild, Drums, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Wil Malone, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Tombling, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Patrick Kiernan, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Pigott-Smith, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Julian Leaper, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Graham Archer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Martin Loveday, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Warren Zielinski, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Boguslav Kostecki, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Take That, MainArtist - Richard Lancaster, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tony Pleeth, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Jamie Norton, Piano, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ben Mark, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2008 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
Steve Morris, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Gary Barlow, Keyboards, Piano, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Garfield Jackson, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Mark Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Howard Donald, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jason Orange, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stephen Marcussen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Laurence, Double Bass, AssociatedPerformer - John Shanks, Producer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Perry Montague-Mason, Unknown, Other - Peter Lale, Viola, AssociatedPerformer - Shari Sutcliffe, Unknown, Other - Ryan Carline, Engineer, Keyboards, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Jeff Rothschild, Drums, Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Wil Malone, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Tombling, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Patrick Kiernan, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Pigott-Smith, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Julian Leaper, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Graham Archer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Martin Loveday, Cello, AssociatedPerformer - Warren Zielinski, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Boguslav Kostecki, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Take That, MainArtist - Richard Lancaster, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gale Paridjanian, ComposerLyricist - Olly Knights, ComposerLyricist - Tony Pleeth, Cello, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2008 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
Gary Barlow, Keyboards, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mark Owen, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Howard Donald, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jason Orange, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stephen Marcussen, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Shanks, Producer - Shari Sutcliffe, Unknown, Other - Ryan Carline, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jeff Rothschild, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Take That, MainArtist
℗ 2008 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
Album review
A Take That reunion was perhaps as inevitable as the fact that Robbie Williams would decide to opt out of the proceedings. He inexplicably became the biggest star out of the franchise, in no way needing the support group the rest craved after their solo projects imploded. And there is something to be said for brand names: even if it didn’t jump-start the phenomenon, the 2006 reunion Beautiful World returned Take That to the upper reaches of the charts, and their 2008 follow-up, The Circus, builds upon its template, offering more of the same without quite seeming like pandering. Fittingly for a foursome facing 40, dance-pop has been banished in favor of well-manicured maturity, culled chiefly from Coldplay, whose tasteful, chilly surfaces blend easily with Gary Barlow’s Elton John and George Michael aspirations. Barlow is also responsible for the gentle Sgt. Pepper's pastiche of the title track, but the one responsible for giving The Circus a bit of a beat is Mark Owen, whose contributions, particularly the cheerfully respectful stomp “Up All Night,” are a welcome respite from the album’s steady, stately march. A little of this Coldplay influence goes a long way -- craftsman that he is, Barlow can mimic this sound as expertly as he mimicked Michael years ago, but these skyscraping sonics aren’t particularly suited for his brand of commercialism, so it’s fortunate that Owen is here to give this a bit of a pulse, with Howard Donald and Jason Orange acting as the bridge between them both. Without those mitigating factors, The Circus would be too coldly calculating -- but this is no longer Barlow’s show, it’s the work of a group where the sum is greater than the parts, and Take That have wound up with an adult pop album that isn’t compelling, but is somewhat comforting.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 00:49:55
- 1 Digital booklet
- Main artists: Take That
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Polydor Records
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 2008 Polydor Ltd. (UK) ℗ 2008 Polydor Ltd. (UK)
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