Robbie Williams was recently quoted as saying his career is going "downhill." With a $120 million-plus new deal with EMI, a sold-out (in hours) European tour and a No. 1 U.K. album, it's hard to tell exactly where Williams' career is sliding to. That is, until you listen to his new album, "Escapology," his fifth solo release (not counting that swing folly of his).

Frankly, I was actually excited about this album when I got it. I'm not one to mock Williams for his bad voice, supposed fatness or caricature of a personality. In fact, I actually liked his personality. "Sing When You're Winning" was a good album. But nothing can compensate for the crappiness of "Escapology."

If his first releases sounded like his now-nemesis Oasis, Williams has slid further and is now channeling the voice and lyrics of Elton John. It's terrible, especially on the sappy "Angels." Only two songs are halfway decent – the new single "Feel" and the last song, "Strong" – and even they hardly measure up to his past good stuff.

Jokes aside, Williams was right when he said he had lost it. "Escapology" is the proof.