Circus

Personnel: Jason Orange (vocals, acoustic guitar); Gary Barlow (vocals, piano, keyboards); Howard Donald, Mark Owen (vocals); John Shanks (guitar, keyboards); Jeff Rothschild (drums, programming).
Audio Mixer: Jeff Rothschild.
Ensemble: London Studio Orchestra.
A Take That reunion was perhaps as inevitable as the fact that Robbie Williams would decide to opt out of the proceedings. He inexplicably became the biggest star out of the franchise, in no way needing the support group the rest craved after their solo projects imploded. And there is something to be said for brand names: even if it didn't jump-start the phenomenon, the 2006 reunion Beautiful World returned Take That to the upper reaches of the charts, and their 2008 follow-up, The Circus, builds upon its template, offering more of the same without quite seeming like pandering. Fittingly for a foursome facing 40, dance-pop has been banished in favor of well-manicured maturity, culled chiefly from Coldplay, whose tasteful, chilly surfaces blend easily with Gary Barlow's Elton John and George Michael aspirations. Barlow is also responsible for the gentle Sgt. Pepper's pastiche of the title track, but the one responsible for giving The Circus a bit of a beat is Mark Owen, whose contributions, particularly the cheerfully respectful stomp "Up All Night," are a welcome break from the album's steady, stately march. The Circus is the work of a group where the sum is greater than the parts, and Take That have wound up with an adult pop album that is somewhat comforting. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine