1998 Robbie Williams: Millennium

Arguably arriving a year early, 'Millennium' glides in on the back of a John Barry sample (from 'You Only Live Twice'. The video carries on the James Bond imagery) that provides the updraft that elevates 'Millennium' out of the rut that Williams is content to take it. Without it, we're left with his grinding vocal scraping over a minimal drum pattern shuffling out a lurching song with the "Mil-Len-Ne-Umumum' chorus payoff itself delivered with the subtlety of a navvy laying bricks. Out of the rut maybe, but not enough to then fashion it into a silk purse; 'Millennium' is not half as much fun as that cover would have you believe. Boring even - it's that one good idea padded out into a crude and unlikeable comment on how tough and vacuous it is at the top ("live for liposuction and detox for your rent, overdose at Christmas and give it up for lent"), but it's ok because we're all going to die anyway. True enough Robbie, but I wouldn't want this playing at my funeral.