WELCOME to a new era of Robbie Williams.

The potty Potteries songster may be on his sixth solo album but it will be the first without usual sidekick Guy Chambers, the man responsible for many of William's biggest hits.

Trying to replace the irreplaceable is Stephen 'Tin Tin' Duffy, who turned his back on 80s pop success to form the folk-driven Lilac Time.

And his input means that, with a couple of exceptions, this is a run-of-the-mill release.

Williams fans will buy it in their droves but it's unlikely to set the pulse racing.

First single Tripping is a safe bet to bag chart success while Make Me Pure and The Trouble With Me are two others that showcase the Stoke rocker at his best.

But the pick of the bunch has to be the ballad Advertising Space which builds into a decent song without ever reaching the heights of some of his previous efforts.

DL