Williams has recorded the theme tune for spy spoof film Johnny English

His album Escapology has just been released in America and record bosses will be hoping it provides the breakthrough Williams' needs to crack the market in the States.

"It is far from an inspired slab of musical brilliance - but the songs are as strong as fans have come to expect," wrote BBC News Online's Ian Youngs, when the album came out in the UK in 2002.

But what do you think?

Have you heard any of Williams' music? Does he have what it takes to be a star in the US?

Although I am not a huge Robbie Williams fan, after moving to the US I found a US-only release, the only CD of Robbie's covering his best songs from his first two albums, and I have to say, Escapology wasn't disappointing.

Only Coldplay have made a dent in the US market and it is about time Robbie got a fair crack of the whip and got some credit for some excellent songwriting.

One bonus is most stores are selling the new release at reduced prices....I got mine for just $6!!
Mark Cooper, USA (ex pat)

I don't get it man!! This guy don't cut it over here - boring music from a boring man. He's like a Vegas act!
Chris Benson, USA

It's baffling that Robbie hasn't been able to make an impact in the States. Here in Canada, Escapology has just gone platinum. It's a great CD. As a close neighbour of the US, I think Robbie's music is just too smart for the Yanks; they like their popstars young, good-looking and with an IQ of two. It doesn't help that Robbie's lyrics are so thoughtful. American audiences don't want to think; they simply want to be entertained at the lowest possible level. Good luck Robbie - you'll need it trying to crack the US market.
Ron, Canada

We've already got enough self-absorbed singers. We don't need another, thank you very much Steven Roelofs, Chicago, USA

I have enjoyed Robbie for a while now, and I like his songs a lot, but to get US play what he really needs is a music video on rotation on VH1 or MTV. Rock DJ is probably one of his better known songs here because of its video.

The other problem is that he is hard to categorise - not quite the right sound for club play (like Kylie Minogue) and not rock enough to be on alternative rock stations. Still, getting a mention in an Eminem song (on the Shady Aftermath CD that came with the 8 Mile soundtrack) shows at least American artists are interested in (or at least know about) his music.

Has he thought about a US tour? Can I get tickets? Escapology definitely has some potential hit singles; I think US audiences would like Hot Fudge and How Peculiar particularly. But can I ask, where the hell did Me and My Monkey come from?
Jennae Phillippe, USA

I bought Sing While You're Winning because I had heard Rock DJ while visiting Paris. It turned out to be the only song I liked on the CD and after a few listens, I gave the CD away to the public library. I didn't even think it was good enough for musical wallpaper (except perhaps while vacuuming). I don't find his (or anyone else's) whining about celebrity particularly relevant or inspiring to me. We've already got enough self-absorbed singers. We don't need another, thank you very much.
Steven Roelofs, Chicago, USA

I think it's a little too late. This (sadly) is a youth-driven society and well.... although that doesn't say much for America. Remember this is the country that also ignored Kate Bush's talent forever.
Xavier Spandler, USA

Hopefully this British star will cross the Atlantic and lighten the mood that artists like Norah Jones, Jack Jonhson and John Mayer have depressed us with Becky, USA

I love Robbie Williams's music. He sounds great when he does ballads, dance and older songs. I think he has what it takes to make it in the US but I am not sure if they would understand his British-style humour. I find him hilarious though!
Toni, Canada

I first heard Robbie Williams in the UK and bought his first album there. My friends here (USA) liked what they heard but didn't have a clue who he was. He's not really pushed here like the rappers, hiphop, manufactured pop and horrible new "everyone sounds the same" rock bands. I don't hear him on the radio, or see him on any video channels. People are very Ameri-centric right now. I must say though, his voice is more aesthetically pleasing than Justin Timberlake's. And that the lyrics are more inward than most pop solo artists out today. It's such a waste that he is not promoted better here. And while we're on the subject, I think it's a crime that Ms. Dynamite is not promoted well either. She's fantastic!
Lauren K, USA

Williams is strictly a British pop star; his is an attitude that will not translate in the States. What the English call his "cockiness," is simply a watered-down version of well...us. Being us is bad enough, but if you can't get it right don't try. I mean, what was that Sinatra-style CD all about? Robbie, mate, that boat done sailed 40 years ago and had you been singing in 1960, you still wouldn't have been given a seat. Which, I should add, pleases me. If Paul Weller can't make it in the States, it hardly seems fair for Williams to make it, would you not agree?
Carlton, US

I think Robbie Williams is great! Being English (now living in the USA) I grew up with his music and knowing where he started. But if he's going to make it here, he's going to need some good publicists. People here don't know who he is or have never heard of him and you never hear his music on the radio - that may be a problem. Good luck to him.
Clare, USA

I think he's about as talented as a snail!! He can't sing and he can't dance, I can see why he is worth 80 million quid!!! That's where EMI profits went then...
Jamie, USA

Thanks to the internet and MusicMatch, my musical selection has extended into the British scene. I am a big fan of Robbie Williams's style and sound. His broad range from jazz to pop to blues and oldies is integrated in all of his works. You never tire with any of his CDS because of his variety. High energy and sing-along lyrics are what he's about. Hopefully this British star will cross the Atlantic and lighten the mood that artists like Norah Jones, Jack Jonhson and John Mayer have depressed us with. Personality, people!
Becky, USA

I believe that he has the personality and the front to make it in the US. Give us more Robbie! Susan, Canada

I have never heard a song by Williams, but have heard that he is famous overseas. My cousin in Sweden says he is very good. I'll keep an ear out for him. EMI will need to get him a lot of radio play, as he is unheard of here. I didn't even know that he had released an album.
Kathryn, USA

Maybe he isn't interested in being a big star here in the US. Many other Brit mega-stars have been perfectly contented with a highly successful career in Europe. For me, he is the greatest - I have all his CDs, plus videos. It could be that he's a little too over-the-top/cutting edge/innovative for the more middle-of-the-road US audiences.
Valerie Berdan, USA

I've heard several of his songs. Quite unimpressive and dull. I'm surprised he's not bigger over here. I do like that he enjoys showing off his bod though!
Clay, USA

Robbie Williams has a small, but enthusiastic fanbase here in America; his show a few years ago in San Francisco was a sell-out (albeit in a small club) and he was in top form, as was his band.

His real problem will be in obtaining airplay - without massive financial assistance to crack the Clear Channel monopoly (which won't understand Robbie's often-ironic approach), word of mouth can only get him so far. But if enough money is spent on promotion and he's willing to tour, there's no reason why he can't succeed - talent has very little to do with American chart success in most cases.
Ms Boyd, USA

I love Robbie William's music. I have his first US album, and a British album I bought while in Chester, England. He's got his share of not-so-hot music (Jesus in a Camper Van comes to mind), but his music has a good rhythm, and for the most part good lyrics. His fast-beat stuff like Millennium does make you want to get up and dance.
Monique, USA

Robbie is breaking into Canada big time now. The sooner he makes it over here the better. I believe that he has the personality and the front to make it in the US. Give us more Robbie! (ps the video for Feel - yep, filmed in Alberta!)
Susan, Canada

The best thing since cucumber sandwiches and afternoon tea Marcus Wise, USA

A voice that's a blend of bad-boy rocker and choir boy - backed by a full orchestra or single acoustic guitar. We've got nothing like him here. He's fantastic!
D. B., United States

Robbie is talented but he knows it, and in my opinion thinks himself too big to put in the necessary ground work to make a success of himself in the states
Richard Cripps, UK

I haven't heard the Escapology Album, but I have heard a few songs which I think are brilliant. I do own most of his other albums and I love his music and him!! I definitely think he has what it takes to become a star in the USA. And I would be more than happy to travel around with him to promote his music!
Abigail Beever, USA

I've heard Robbie, and I think he has a remarkable voice. He does a good Sinatra. My favourite of his is Angels.
Lyn, Canada

Robbie's new album was released in Canada a few months ago. I think it is a brilliant album. Robbie doesn't have the most incredible voice in the world but he has a great stage presence and real talent as a performer. He wrote/co-wrote the songs on the new album and I think they are all excellent. Would be very surprised if he didn't succeed in the US.
G. Poulsen, Canada

I have all of Robbie Williams' albums. I think he is really good. His songs just need more play here in the US and I think he will become as popular as he is in the UK.
Lisa, USA

I am a huge fan of Robbie's and have all his CDs. Escapology is as good as it gets, until the next one. However, I purchase all his music in the UK and I don't really hear him over here with the exception of his song Millennium which played a lot a couple of years ago.
Deborah Johnson, USA

I love Robbie! He's got a lot of talent and to agree with another post, he knows it...But I don't think that would keep him from cutting it in the U.S. Too many of our artists here think they are talented but can't sing at all...
LDW, USA

I just love him. He's so strong and virile. The best thing since cucumber sandwiches and afternoon tea.
Marcus Wise, USA

The CD is absolutely tremendous, both in songwriting and in performance David Jonietz, USA

From reading the comments it seems fairly clear that there is more than just a huge stretch of water in between America and Europe. I think it is a shame that America is so self-absorbed. Although I am not a huge Robbie fan - I think his music certainly does stand out from all of the terrible pop drivel that we get subjected to from the other side of the water. Robbie, wait it out, I'm sure they will come round. After all, Tony Blair can't be the only popular Brit in the States.
Will, Switzerland (British)

I have been a fan of Robbie's for a few years now, and while in New York he has a bit of name recognition, at a concert I went to in Houston they gave away tickets at the door because no one had bought them in advance. Until he really commits to a huge tour in the U.S. and releases something a bit more upbeat than Angels, I doubt his ex-boy-band persona is going to make it here.

And a helpful hint to Robbie.....some of us "Yanks" don't particularly enjoy having our musical tastes mocked quite so openly (see his Cribs episode on MTV).....I wouldn't count on Americans running out to buy a CD of his, however tongue-in-cheek his comments may have been, particularly in these super-sensitive times.
Anne, New York, USA

I'm Robbie's biggest fan on this side of the Atlantic. I listen to his albums which I purchased in the UK and wonder why these fantastic songs aren't playing on US airwaves. Americans threw perfectly good tea in to the Boston Harbor, and we're throwing perfectly good music in to the trash.
Scott McLaughlin, USA

We have enough "boy junk" here. The genre is played out. We need more Radiohead from the UK. We need more Beck from the US. Robbie is old hat. I don't think the US responds to him because, ironically enough, even MTV understands the concept of market saturation - once they've saturated it themselves, they move on. And besides, we already have a celebrity who looks like Carson Daly. Hail to the Thief!
J Friesen, USA (ex-pat-in-waiting)

I used to live in London during my college years and was exposed to the British pop music scene (which I actually enjoyed tremendously). Since then, I've always tried to keep tabs on that scene, but it's usually very hard for British acts to "break in" to the massive American market, and that's a shame.

I first heard of Robbie Williams when he was with Take That (which as we all recall was huge in the UK and went nowhere in the US). And I recently read a US magazine that recommended the Escapology album as one of the best of the year. I wholeheartedly agree. The CD is absolutely tremendous, both in songwriting and in performance.

It's really a shame to think that people in the US will miss out on such a wonderful and unique talent. I am trying to spread the positive word to as many people as I can!!
David Jonietz, USA

I think EMI has to work a lot harder in the US to promote Robbie Williams Michelle Fishman-Cross

I lived in Sweden a few years back and remember hearing him there. When I got back to the States I was surprised not to hear about him. I thought that with all his air play there he would be a hit here for sure. Three years later and I almost forgot about him. Personally I would love to see him make it on this side of the pond.
Caitlin, USA

I only know three songs of his and they are Millennium, Angels and Rock DJ. I love them all! The first two songs got some air time on TV (MTV/VH1) and on some entertainment news programmes, but it seemed that after those two songs, he kind of faded from the US media. You need to keep your name in the spotlight in order to be heard in this country. I think if Robbie can promote himself more and more and really get his music out on the internet as well, people will become more and more interested in his music.
Natalie Chin, USA

Great album. The revamped version of Escapology for the US market was a brilliant decision. This is the album that will finally make him just as famous in the states as Kylie now is.
Nicolas Seperas, USA

I know who he is. I have seen him on MTV Europe awards. He is boring and somewhat of an idiot. He is not that talented and he definitely does not stand out. No thanks, no Euro-trash for me.
Ray, USA

While I was living in the UK, Robbie Williams' star rose and I was wondering if and when he'd try to become a name in the US.

Since being back home, I haven't heard much of him. I think he has what it takes to win part of the US listening audience, but he does not have much promotion here.

I think EMI has to work a lot harder in the US to promote Robbie Williams. Get the radio stations to start playing him and interviewing him, interviews on MTV, things like that.

In some ways, timing is everything. Just when Take That was taking off in the US, they broke up in the UK. Williams lost the momentum from that.

I wish him well. I like his music and considering he has such a strong personality, and is a thoughtful musician, I think he could become a success in the US
Michelle Fishman-Cross, USA

Robbie has the X-factor and that's what makes him a star. He may be a bit on the arrogant side but who wouldn't be with �80m in the bank and thousands of screaming women at his feet?! He's an entertainer and you couldn't fail to be entertained if you saw him on tour. He's wasted on the Americans anyway!
J, UK

I'm not that familiar with his albums, but have seen him on MTV's Cribs as well as in three separate videos (the latest with Daryl Hannah) aired on VH1/MTV. Minimal airplay, though. He doesn't sound any worse than the boy bands and teenage divas that saturate the market. Just another stellar example of terrific artists from overseas that can't make it into the narrow consciousness of most Americans (think Bic Runga of New Zealand and Kings of Convenience from Norway.) Best of luck to you.
Lady J, Florida, USA

Has he marketed his record in the States? This article is the first I've heard of it. Maybe it's also the fact that Robbie doesn't care for selling his record in the States. I vaguely recall him making a remark along those lines months ago.
Pranav Chudgar, USA-Texas

I have just seen Robbie Williams on Good Morning America. It has been known for some time that EMI has wanted to break its acts on a global basis and has made changes to its management both here in the USA and Europe. The performance of Williams and the fact that he got a double song exposure on US prime time morning television would be an indication that EMI is going to have great success. Now might be a good time to buy EMI stock because if Williams can succeed in the USA other British acts will follow.
Nicholas Watson, USA

I love Robbie Williams. To all you Canadians who say the USA is too dumb to get Robbie Williams - you are retarded!!!! What does being smart or dumb have to do with musical interest? Please stop trying to make yourselves feel better because your country is not as good as ours!!
SNB, USA

Tastes differ from country to country and the US is often closed-minded especially when it comes to music from another country. Personally I think Robbie Williams has some really good talent and it is unfortunate that his success should depend on one country, when the rest of the world thinks he is good.
Suchitra, India

Just because Robbie Williams's music hasn't been embraced in the US doesn't mean that Americans are any less savvy than music fans elsewhere in the world.

Just look at all the ridiculous acts like the Cheeky Girls, Hear'Say and Girls Aloud who have hit number one in the UK. Americans are looking for something new now. The Britney and boy band era is over.

Williams's music doesn't really stand out from the pack. How is it any different from, say, Justin Timberland? UK acts, such as Soul II Soul, Incognito, The Brand New Heavies, Craig David and George Michael, have enjoyed success in the US because their music stands on its own merits. If EMI thinks it can force-feed Williams to Americans, they're in for a rude awakening.
Terence Curry, United States

I like the fact that he's an underground sensation here. I enjoy his music and I think he's a babe (wink wink). After The Ego Has Landed came out, I saw him perform in a small club in Boston. It was fantastic! It was close and intimate (intimate enough for half the girls to be flashing him) and I like it better that way. I bought Escapology a while ago at an outrageous import cost, but I think it's well worth it. It's his most personal album and I like it when people ask me, "Robbie who?" It makes me feel like he's my little secret.
Amy, USA