SOUND JUDGEMENT

THE LATEST ALBUM RELEASES RATED AND REVIEWED

THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT ROBBIE WILLIAMS ★★★★★

LIKE the big day itself, Robbie Williams’ festive offering comes in two halves. A traditional Christmas album with all-time classics – The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) and even Slade’s party anthem Merry Xmas Everybody given a jazz swing with Jamie Cullum – the first CD really leans into the classic entertainer that Williams has always been. CD two, meanwhile, features alternative seasonal tunes and a melancholy you might not associate with the former Take That star. There are also appearances from Bryan Adams, Sir Rod Stewart and even boxer Tyson Fury. It’s a clever album that mixes new tunes and classics, all peppered with Williams’s personality.

COLDPLAY EVERYDAY LIFE ★★★★★

FOLLOWING years of arena-filling sunshine, Everyday Life is a subdued and moody affair. The 16-track double album – one half Sunrise, the other Sunset – is reminiscent of 2005’s X&Y rather than the exuberant A Head Full Of Dreams. Church is the most electronic offering, and an a real stand-out. Chris Martin’s atmospheric vocals and a stirringly beautiful Arabic verse sees romance entwined with religion.

FAITH is a thread running throughout but it also delves into the current social and political unrest of “everyday life”.

Overall a success for one of the biggest bands in the world.

BING CROSBY BING AT CHRISTMAS ★★★★★

IS IT even Christmas without the smooth tones of the original Mr Christmas? This album is a magical re-mastering, mixing the best recordings in the Decca archives with the outstanding arrangements performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. There is the famous duet with David Bowie, plus couplings with Pentatonix on White Christmas, The Tenors on The Christmas Song and The Puppini Sisters on Twelve Days Of Christmas.