REVIEW: Take That - Progressed

In the tradition of modern albums and, I imagine to boost sales in the wake of their successful tour, Take That have released a special edition version of their latest Robbie-including album 'Progress', throwing eight tracks onto a second CD, with the original, called 'Progressed', an EP in name but, with thirty-five minutes of music, just a couple of songs off a full album. It's already supposed to be topping the charts this weekend, which is impressive for what is basically a beefed-up re-issue.

Opening track 'When We Were Young' is a Robbie-led ballad that, though not the most astounding track on the album, is an emotive song with a pleasant, swaying chorus. 'Man' continues the album's trend of interesting and dark production effects with a song that sounds so unlike one from a boyband I'm surprised the record label didn't think it had been put on by mistake. With a catchy beat and stuttering vocal it's very dancey for the band and equally very good even with yet more apocalyptic themes included.

Lead single 'Love Love' bursts into your ears with one of the most memorable opening riffs of the year with both Gary and Mark sounding like they puffed out their chests to sing it, adding a very big level of bombasticness (if that's a word) to the recording, which is one of the most singable on the EP.

My favourite track on the album, though, is 'The Day The Work Is Done' with its great chorus, almost operatic feeling, sounding very indie in its aims and objectives whilst not allowing its lyrics to be covered up by its impressive music and production.

'Beautiful' is another pumping track that flirts between pop and dance and ticks both boxes and, like the other tracks on both sides of the CD, sticks in your head.

'Don't Say Goodbye' sounds like a marriage between a song and the soundtrack to a factory level on a 16-bit console and though not the strongest track on the album the lyrics are touching but overall the vocals are not the best and it lacks the oomph found elsewhere.

Robbie takes lead vocals with Mark on the, naturally, sci-fi enthused 'Aliens' complete with spoken synth parts, autotune and a racing music tune that leads to a very experimental track that is enjoyable even if the title is repeated a little too much for my liking, though never truly outstays its welcome, but I love how varied the band have made this album that's so far away from their roots or even their last album.

EP closer 'Wonderful World' is an ethereal tune with a long musical intro and 'this would be the closing track' written all over its DNA. As the finisher for the album it does tick all the boxes and can't be berated for being a sickly sweet end, but it's not in the top half of the album.

Overall Take That have pulled off a great complimentary EP to 'Progress', one that builds on the themes and ideas of that album and adds some really memorable and single-worthy tracks to their roster. I just hope this sound is a sign of things to come and we have more exciting production effects and lyrical content rather than their boyband attempts of the past.

7/10

Read my earlier review of the first CD of the 'Progress' special edition.