During the credits for "Bridget Jones Diary" I heard a fabulous rendition of "Have You Met Miss Jones?" and wondered who was singing. I found out after I saw Robbie Williams on BBC America singing "Miss Jones." Then I saw a concert movie of a Sloan Castle concert and began surfing the net for his CDs. I bought "I've Been Expecting You." I have not been disappointed. This is one of the best CDs I've ever heard. "Millenium" may be the big hit from this, but I adore "Karma Killer." The song is an anthem for anyone who's been burned in love, is mad as hell about it and doesn't care who knows! Great fun and enormously cathartic. I'm old enough to be Robbie's mother, but I can't fathom why he is not a major star in this country.

I've been so busy wearing out "Sing When You're Winning", Robbie's Fabulous new CD that I had neglected my old friend, "I've Been Expecting You". A couple weeks ago I picked it up again and concluded that this truly is Robbie at his best.

The true test of a good CD is when you can put it in and just leave it running or better yet, hit random and let your CD player surprise you. That's what you can do with I've Been Expecting You and you can't do that with a lot of other albums.

I've been playing it since 1999 and nothing has gotten old. The thing that make this album awesome is that the songs are complete with incredible lyrics and excellent music.

I still want to jump up and dance to the hip hop sound of "Millenium", I still think "No Regrets" is the ultimate break up song. "Pheonix From the Flames" is the best thing if you need to pick yourself and get going again.

And the love songs are here in full force (Unlike on "Sing When You're Winning", where Robbie is lamenting his lack of love. That too has its place but if you're looking for romantic ballads I've Been Expecting You is your best bet) "She's the One", is pure bliss, just listen to Robbie croon at a high pitch about the beauty of true love! "Heaven From Here" is almost like a prayer and it explores the protective, nuturing side of love and romance and the smooth sound of "Grace" will transport you.

The heavy rock numbers literally scream at you. The loud, angry "Karma Killer" is great to play when you're ticked off at someone and "Man Machine" rocks like no other track on this CD. (Play these two tracks really loud for maximum effect!)

But the real gem here is "Win Some, Lose Some"! This track makes you know that it's OK to have loved and lost as long as you had the time of your life along the way!

Bottomline: Robbie sings about our lives and so his music is timeless.

Standout tracks: Millenium, No Regrets, Win Some, Lose Some, Strong and She's the One!

Final Word: Probably the best album I own!

My subject line is what the title of this album should have been. Because by the summer of 1998, people doubted that Robbie could earn any respectability as a solo artist after his huge success with Life Thru A Lens, in particular his takeover of the UK charts with the hit single Angels that elevated Robbie as a mainstream pop phenomena.

But September 1998 came about and Robbie dropped the bomb. An instant classic chart-topper titled I've Been Expecting You. Along with Oasis, Robbie became the only British artist who released two consequetive number one hit albums back to back one year apart.

The album opens up with, surpisingly, a self confession, 'Strong' reveals that Robbie isn't who he really is in the public eye and that he is a man dealing with weaknesses and insecurity but that at the end of the day he feels happy to be making music. The track is an Oasis-esque rock song with the weirdest lyrics such as 'early mornin' when i wake up, i look like KISS but without the make-up, and that's a good line to take it to the bridge'
'No Regrets' is a powerful ballad, possibly more powerful than Angels. Robbie sticks and jabs at the unknown target with everything he's got. A song about losing a person you love so much and the anger and helplessness you feel that you talk to yourself about. 'Millenium' is a artsy pop song. Sounds disco with the theme of a James Bond movie. This is the song that crossed Robbie over the Atlantic and landed his first hit in America, but trust me there are way better tracks here and on his previous album than this one. 'Win Some Lose Some' features the voice of Robbie's ex and currently the love of Robbie's rival Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, Nicole Appleton. The song is a fun pop tune with those jingling acoustic guitar strums. 'Karma Killer' is powerhouse rock tune featuring a very angry Robbie. The song, like No Regrets, is a song about a guy who just lost his lover and isn't afraid to lash out at her. 'She's The One' is the best track on the entire album. A perfect mellow love song which brings out the best of Robbie's voice. 'Man Machine' is the album's own 'Let Me Entertain You', a powerful party tune and the album closer 'These Dreams' is a beautful and touching ballad about following one's dreams and not giving up on hope.

The album as a whole is a artistic statement from a man who spent the previous year in success over a debut album, but not knowing whether it was luck or out of pure talent. I've Been Expecting You proves that Life Thru A Lens was not luck. Robbie is a modern day pop genius where everything he touches turns to gold.

Highly Recommended

A

I may quote a review from a different place: "Like Madonna, Williams can neither sing nor write particularly well, nor, like Madonna, does he need to." It's true, Williams may not be extraordinarily talented as to his singing, but what he has to say in his songs is quite touching. Besides, I have listened to view CDs that were as recommendable in their entirity as this one.

"I've Been Expecting You"is an amazing album filled with surprises and Rob's creativity. I can never believe that Robbie actually finished producing it over a short period of time. Every track on it is unbelievable. Rob vividly portrays his living experiences in his songs. The enjoyment is second to none if you take your time rocking with Rob on the album.

"Millennium" the first single from this album caught my attention the first time I listened to it. Its magnificent rhythm and Rob's whispering in the background have really graced the song. Rob cooperated with Pet Shop Boys in "No Regrets" which is also my all-time favorite song of Rob. In addition to its great interlude and the brilliant rap when the song ends, the lyrics are intense and real, depicting the strong anguish of losing someone. You'll be even more moved if you know who Rob was referring to. "Strong" is a nice rock song. Rob sings as he subtly jeered himself and his philosophy. Rob once stated that he didn't like "She's the One" since it's the only song not written by himself on his albums. But he still sounds great and tender on that track.

All non-single tracks are no less powerful. Perhaps Rob had encountered so many things in 1998 that inspired him to make this marvelous work. This album is definitely a masterpiece. If you can only buy one album from Robbie Williams, I highly recommend this one. You can also find Rob's ex-fiancee talking on "Win Some, Lose Some." I guess the song is about the sweet moments they used to share. A very great song, indeed.