Rotation

That's not to say that there isn't a certain amount of maturity to Ego. "Killing Me" is a sturdy piano and acoustic guitar track. It's not filler, but it's also not single material, which means that Williams may be able to fire off a proper album at some point, not just a list of isolated four-minute ditties. Teen idols take note.

At an American concert earlier this year Williams remarked that he likes being unknown in America, because he can go out in public and not be mobbed, except when he wants to get laid. Being well loved in the UK hasn't helped others here. The Stone Roses, Placebo, Gomez and a long line of artists have been unprepared or unwilling to appeal to the American masses. But Williams, in his shotgun-style approach, has a little bit of something for everyone, which means he could win over a large audience or no one at all. The smart money is on a hit, despite The Ego Has Landed's shortcomings.

-- David Simutis