AMG Review of Reality Killed the Video Star

John Bush
All Music Guide

Robbie Williams' Rudebox was one of the most enjoyable records of his career, but it wasn't a commercial success. Its follow-up, Reality Killed the Video Star, attempts to right the ship, and as such, it becomes everything its predecessor was not. The album is given an MOR blockbuster production by Trevor Horn, with arrangements by his longtime co-writer Anne Dudley. It certainly has the sound it needs to succeed with Williams' aging audience and also clean up on BBC Radio 2. Williams remains an excellent ballads singer, well suited for this grandiose backing. The album is front-loaded, beginning with "Morning Sun," the best and most deeply felt song on the album.