Reviews (page 7 of 14)
Elton John’s cinematic magnum opus double LP is chock full of classics and showcases his talents for drama and flair while keeping things boogieing.
I have always liked 1970s Elton John but have leant more towards Madman Across the Water and Tumbleweed Connection than this album. And, on the whole, having listened to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road in its entirety for the first time in years, I have to say I still prefer the other albums, and the wonderful live album, 17-11-70 to this double album. That said, the opening “Funeral for a Friend/Loves Lies Bleeding”, all 11 minutes of it, may be the best thing Elton ever recorded, and is prog-rock to rival Genesis or Yes, and the rest of side one, “Candle in the Wind”, still a triumph, and one of Bernie Taupin’s most affecting lyrics, despite the maudlin Princess Diana ‘90s version, and “Bennie and the Jets” represent perhaps the best LP side of Elton’s career. It could be argued that a single album of sides 1 and 2, dropping the poor “Jamaica Jerk-Off” and squeezing on “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” and “Harmony” would be an undeniable 5-star triumph, but there are good songs elsewhere which do more than just fill the space. Aside from the best known songs, there are surprises like “Grey Seal”, “Sweet Painted Lady” and “I’ve Seen That Movie Too”. Elton’s regular band are excellent thoughout and Gus Dudgeon’s production is crisp with a wide soundstage.
it’s good alright it’s a good fucking album
Hard to think of many classic albums that start stronger than this one.
So good
I think this review would be more fair if I had listened to it as the double album it originally is, because listening to every song in one long sequence makes the album feel too long. But the songs that hit, hit hard. Especially in the first half, because the second half was a bit weaker in my opinion. But 'Social Disease' picked it back up. And as I said, the songs that hit, hit hard. So I still want to give this album and mr John his credits. While the songs were swinging and groovy, there is a real emotional rawness behind it. I appreciate that.
I really liked Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. It sure has been a while since i last reviewed Elton John which makes sense as the two i have done (including this one) are his only ones. I still like this one quite a lot more since it has a lot more to it and the songs here don't have any super long build-ups which did kinda plague Madman Across The Water. The music here was absolutely fantastic and while the album did go on for a bit long, i didn't feel like it was too bloated as the songs then were still very good. It does unfortunately get docked a star because there are some points where John's voice isn't great along with the ones where it is but this is still a great album. Best Song: All the Young Girls Love Alice Worst Song: Bennie and the Jets
It’s gooood
did not finish, but will try to finish
So fun.
Great genuinely, really enjoy this
7/10 Classic, very listenable. Not what I'd choose to listen to very often but would own on vinyl and listen in the background or for an event.
Great album. And 1973. Crazy that he's still going strong.
This album is a surprising mix of an incredible journey and a complete slog to get through. No wonder it's a double LP. Honestly though, while I loved this thing, the first half is really what carries the entire record. I found myself wanting to skip songs as I got towards the end. Once the overall idea of the album was prescribed to me in the beginning, the lack of fresh ideas or creativity towards the end made this drag. This sounds like an overtly negative review, but it's not. The album is so widely praised I'm not going to bother typing something out that I'm sure a heap of people have before. It's a great album, I just think it's a big loaded and could be way more concise.
Knew the big ones, of course. But enjoyed this as a total package (even if it was a bit long). A proper album with a vision.
longtime listener of A Select Few Elton John Songs, was nice to finally sit down and listen to an album beginning to end
Great album overall. Lots of hits. But also lots of just generally good songs as filler.
the 70's continues to deliver. Elton at his best?
Very good album worth a listen
Great album front to back. Classic
Surprisingly good. Had no idea that so many of his hits were on this album. Really good.
Medium
мне нраица!
Album is a classic for a reason, the highs are incredible and rightfully iconic. Not much else to say other than a few songs in the middle dragged a tiny bit for me
This album has hit after hit on it. Insanely good. Elton John cooked with this one, as they say.
Album is lit 🔥
Wouldn’t say i am a big fan of Elton, but they are a great song writing partnership, and he is definition of star power, and these 70s albums are well good. Classic album without doubt, not sure what Jamaica is but whatever you gotta try. It’s probably should be a 5 Star but for me 4 Star
Elton John is great here, but this album stumbles a bit as it goes on. The 11-minute opening track is phenomenal, and there's quite a few great, classic Elton John sounds throughout the album. Some of the tracks make me cringe a bit - "Jamaica Jerk-Off" especially - but despite those missteps it's a really fun listen. Favorite track(s): "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
Elton John writes pretty good material. He is also a great performer. This is good quality rock.
This was great aside from the Jamaica sing
Not always my personal style - too show tuney for me. But excellent musicianship, culturally iconic, and the best songs are fantastic. There are low points - Jamaican Jerk-off is an inexplicable embarrassment.
Nice album, one of the best from Elton John
I was shocked how many songs from this album I recognized and I am by no means an Elton John fanboy. Prior to listening to this that is. There’s so many bangers in this album alone it’s no wonder Elton is still relevant today. Probably won’t return to the album too often but I’ll enjoy the tracks when they come on fs.
Some great songs, but could have easily been cut down to make a better single-disc album.
8.23 - Musically good, not exactly my favorite. Solid voice, some good beats/vibes. Best: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, This Song Has no Title (8.7). Worst: Your Sister Can’t Twist (7.9)
Suffers from the bloat that affects most double albums, but just enough brilliance to make it an all time classic. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Awesome
ξαναακουω πολυ καλο 4.5
I like Sir Elton, many of these songs are objectively good, but it's just a pop album. End of the day, it's not much to write home about. Not even a real message. He gets a star for this being Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - i.e. yes, you absolute must listen to it before you die.
4.6
Was familliar with the hits on this one, assumed the rest were filler. Any song on this album could have been a single. Elton and Bernie could sure render a fine tune.
I had never listened to this one all the way through before but now I’m glad I did. Elton John is a gem and this album is fun and cheeky and deep all at the same time. Favorite Song(s): Bennie and the Jets, All the Girls Love Alice (but really, I loved the whole album)
So many stellar classics on this one. Title track never fails to give my goosebumps. My headphones revealed so many small details in these tracks which I had not heard before. For instance, I was never able to catch the lyrics which reveal that Candle in the Wind is an ode to Marilyn Monroe.
Decent
Quick note, Elton John knows how to deliver a banger. Also listened to today: Fontaines D.C., Romance. Great. 220
For an extended period of the 70's, Elton John's mix-cutting tenor voice was one of the greatest powers of popular music. This record shows it without a doubt. The hits here are incredible. The just hit different. Weather it's the touching Candle in the Wind or the glorious Saturday Night and Benny. They all become benchmarks of a hit pop-rock record, and rightly so. They are all so well written, performed and produced. Above all- the title song. In my opinion, one of the greatest melodies in popular song. Period. But it's a long album, and there's a necessity for the dip cut to go hurd as well. And most do. 5 6 8 9 10 12 15 17 all great songs. In the Elton spectrum of rocknroll-pop-country most of them lean on the rock-pop side but the folks elements are present. It's hard to say, but it might be a little bit to long. It doesn't matter anyway... because once you reach the second half (which is a test for most double album) you just want to listen more and more. It's all just a tour de force of a very talented and enthusiastic musician and preformer who, at the time, could do whatever he wanted. It's a very very solid 4.6
Ooh, I actually never heard this The album's an hour long and all of the most famous songs are the very begining, oh well Is funeral for a friend inspired by wendy carlos version of funeral for queen mary? Clockwork was 71, so maybe? Really cool intro! Guitar part aswell is fucking great (8 minutes in), just a great fucking song isn't? The falseto part in the final chorus (pre chorus) of Bennie and the jets is so satisfaying. Wow. At least, I had heard the title track before, obviously it's fucking good Grey seal, the bass and the piano following each other is so tasty, good song! Elton what is this I've seen that movie too is really catchy I kinda hated dirty little girl, but then the ending rocks a lot, goddamn you got me Ok thiis one's the worst haha (13) I dislike saturday Just looking at my notes it's clear that the record starts really strong for me then it fizzles out. The closer is pretty decent tho.
This was way cooler than I thought it would be. I grew up listening to a greatest hits CD of his, and I had no idea how proggy he was capable of getting. That being said, the momentum fell off pretty quickly and I felt like the ending was kind of weak for such a gargantuan album.
I've heard more covers of Bennie and the Jets than there are albums on this list. It's a joke in my family that my dad is just completely obsessed with this song. I've never actually listened through this album before. It definitely has some all time classics and I'm pretty stoked that he opened this album with an 11 minute prog song. Only complaint is it starts to drag a little bit.
This record rocks. Its long as shit, but almost every song is fun to hang out with. Its really good pop rock. I wonder how I would feel about this album if it came out today vs. 1973? Or how I would feel about it if I was around in 1973. Would I hate it? Would it feel like Benson Boone? I think not.. because he's way more willing to mesh genres and get weird than most contemporary pop artists. I think pop artists today have learned a formula from big data to deliver what users think they need. I don't see Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran putting "Jamaica Jerk Off" on a record today. Its too weird and users wouldn't like it. But he does a great job of mixing pop, blues, soul and rock with really good songwriting. I like how so much of is piano based, with other instruments throughout (brass, organ, blues guitar, etc.) This is an excellent record.
"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" is the 7th album (and a double album at that) by British singer, pianist and composer Elton John. Pop rock and glam rock are the Wiki-listed genres. Fair enough. Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics in two and a half weeks and Elton John composed most of the melodies in three days while staying at the Pink Flamingo Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica. Recording for the album started in Jamaica but moved to the Château d'Hérouville in the village of d'Hérouville, France due to difficulties with the sound system and studio piano in Jamaica, logistical issues arising from Joe Frazier-George Foreman fight in Kingston and protests over the political and economic situation in the country. The bandmembers included Elton John (vocals, piano, organ, Mellotron), David Hentschel (synthesizer), Davey Johnstone (guitars, banjo, vocals), Dee Murray (bass, vocals), Nigel Olsson (drums, congas, tambourine, vocals), Ray Cooper (tambourine), Leroy Gomez (saxophone) and Kiki Dee (backing vocals). The album was a big commercial success hitting #1 on the US Top LP & Tape Chart and #1 in the UK. Critics cite this album as one of John's best and, in 2025, it was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for its artistic significance. The album opens with the 11-minute "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding." A swirling synth and organ in the first epic part instrumental. Drums, piano and time changes. Apparently, it's an instrumental for Elton's funeral and does have a church feel. In the second part, the band kicks it in to a rock song. A lost love. "Candle in the Wind" is more of a piano ballad. Guitar accents and nice harmonies. A tribute to the tragic life of Marilyn Monroe and later was used to tribute Princess Diana. Audience cheers start "Bennie and the Jets." A drum tick. Piano led. Elton's vocals are all over the place in a song about an androgynous fictional rock band led by a woman named Bennie. Elton also shows a fairly large vocal range including a falsetto in the self-titled "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." A melancholy start with the piano. Strings are added giving a baroque vibe. A song about the disillusionment with a fame and a desire to get back to a simpler. Speaking about getting back to a simpler life, "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" opens with a great, great guitar riff. Probably Elton's most rockin' song and inspired by a neighborhood pub from Taupin's youth. I am a fan of the Elton snarl. The album ends with the lovely "Harmony." More of a serious love song with strings and you guessed it, great harmonies. The songs on this album are varied including rock, ballads, pop, baroque pop and Queen-like glam. They're mostly piano led and the band is tight, particularly the guitar, bass and drums. Great backing vocals and harmonies and Elton shows a wide vocal range including a falsetto and angry and snarling Elton. The lyrics can personal, philosophical and story like. I really enjoyed the song placement which balanced the soft, loud, epic and baroque. It seems to be a theme so far this week but the third side kind of dragged. But overall, there are a number top level well-written and performed songs showcasing Elton, I imagine , at his peak. A strong recommendation.
4.5 This is probably Elton John’s masterpiece, and a masterpiece it is. Over an hour of pop rock ballads, and while not all may hit, there’s plenty here to enjoy. This may be long for some, but it’s enthralling and almost runs like a greatest hits album. He certainly has a lot of bravado in his voice and the music is so vast, clear and well played. Could probably trim a song or two off the track list to really make this special.
So spooky
Even though I had to skip 'Candle in the Wind' every time I listened (if you were a child of the 90s, you get it), I loved this album. I know Elton John is sort of like the Bee Gees...his most famous hits aren't truly representative of his best work. This album was the proof. I loved the different styles he played around with and, while long, this album had cohesion and tightness that I appreciated. It all kind of makes sense.
It’s hard to review a classic objectively. With the exception of only a couple songs, I’d say these are confirmed bops.
I have definitely hear a lot of this, but I don’t ever recall listening to this straight through. * Funeral / love Lies: all over the place in a good way. Piano and some decently ripping guitar. * Candle in the Wind: perhaps a touch overdone for me at this point. Classic song though. * Bennie and the Jets: another classic. This one holds up better, IMO. Such a great syncopated beat. Elton’s voice amazing as always. * Goodbye yellow brick road: third straight classic! * Next few are fine but forgettable * Seen that movie: liked the feel of this one * Sweet painted lady: good not great * Danny Bailey: enjoyed this one * Dirty little girl: digging the guitar change of pace. Feels a little skynyrdy, tuesdays gone??? No, I hear a little Curtis Lowe. Loved this. Would love to hear phish cover this. * Alice: keeping with more guitar…ok. * Sister twist: meh * Saturday: fourth classic. Love this song. * Roy rogers: meh * Social disease. Decent. * Harmony: meh Enjoyed overall. Liked the guitar-driven tunes. Not what I would’ve expected for an Elton John album.
Good album, some tracks are quite a bit stale and Jamaica Jerk-Off is just outright bad in my opinion. However, Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding is too good to not give the album as a whole a 4
121/1001 Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ❓ Elton John really throws everything at this, from the long proggy Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding to the ballads of Candle In the Wind to the pure rock n roll of Saturday Night's Alright (for Fighting). It's ambitious, it's top heavy, it needs a couple of songs cut (Jamaica Jerk-Off). I'm not sure when I'd revisit it, but I had a great time with this, this morning.
Tough one to rate. A couple classics but too long of an album. 4 is probably about right.
Let me get something out of the way: I can't do long albums. 60 minutes is pushing it, and anything over that tends to drag on. That said, this album is full of emotive ballads, driving rockers, and a couple duds. The tracks are for the most part highly enjoyable and well made, with a handful of exceptions(Dirty Little Girl, Jamaica Jerk Off) that brought the album down a couple pegs.
Bangers and belters. Only one listen though. Girls liked it.
Decent. Many hits which are still hits.
Enduring singles highlight this 50+ years-old album that is playable start to finish.
Listened to this while on a road trip and it really fit. 4/5
A great classic, the intro gets me every time <3 I still find listening to the whole album a bit repetitive, but lyrics are fantastic and there is a lingering sadness that I can always appreciate!
how i imagined quintessential rock music as a kid
- great album - Elton John has such a sad voice, I swear it doesn't matter how upbeat the song is, if Elton's sings it, its a sad song Likes: - sound wise I love the album - no skips really Fav songs: - Bennie and the Jets - Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding - All the Girls Love Alice Dislikes: - some of the songs do bled together a little especially because you can't always understand what he's saying and he tends to sing his songs in the same way
I knew Elton John was an icon but I’ve never honestly spent time with his music — what a mistake!! This album was so much fun!! This album really rocks it on the keys, and Elton knows how to have a good time while he does it. Of course Benny and the Jets is a banger, but also found myself bopping to the second half of the album. The only really confusing song was Jamaica Jerk Off lmao. Anyway, I see why Elton is considered a king. Hats off to him as a legend and a musician. I’ll have to go explore the rest of his discography and give it a real listen.
He’s still got it
Elton John is an absolute legend. So many good songs on this album (Candle in the wind, Bennie and the jets, GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD, Saturday night’s alright for fighting…). I love Elton John and most of his discography, I just think this album was a little on the longer side and some of the tracks in the middle third didn’t feel like they necessarily needed to be there. Really wish there were fractional scores here because I’m definitely in the 4.5/5 camp here.
loved. it was so cool to hear so many classics come together in a way that told such a story. you can really see how influential Elton John was even at that time, but especially how those influences carried on through the evolution of music
O cara é bom
Nåken jævlig bra sanga, men og ein del fyllmasse. Kunne fint ha kutta ned albumet litt
Lots of classics here. He's great at what he does.
An icon of the genre. Love this album. If it was 20 minutes shorter it would probably be a 5-Star
This was just a fun listen all the way through!
Rocked harder than I expected + I knew some of the songs even if I didn't realized they were from Elton John. Amazing!
84/1089 pressing play on this album and hearing young elton rather than the older elton that i recognise more was a bit of an odd (but expected) experience didn’t expect for the album to open with an 11 minute prog rock song but it worked! it’s been a good listen, more so than maybe i expected. I personally would cut Dirty Little Girl, All the Girls Love Alice and Your Sister Can’t Twist, partly because i don’t love those songs but also to shorten the project a little 70/100 faves: funeral for a friend/love lies bleeding, this song has no title, i’ve seen that movie too, ballad of danny bailey, saturday nights alright
First 3 tracks incredible. Immediately loses steam for the whole B side of disc one. Picks it back up in the third quarter and closes out strong with some good ol country skronkin.
It's about time I got an Elton John album on this website. I had never listened to "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" before. To no one's surprise, it was great. There are a few tracks that should've been singles. Let's hope I get another good album. 4 stars for "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road".
This album is full of bangers. Elton and Bernie did their big one. Very enjoyable.
It's a double album, but Elton put a ton of bangers in it. Listen to it, or not. I'm not your boss.
Nice album to have on in the background. Some great hits on here.
Classic album with some of Elton’s best hits in his career. This is really close to being a 5/5 for me, but the back half of the album is on the weaker side and drags on a little. Overall still a phenomenal album. 4/5.
There's a couple filler tracks but there's just so many bangers that I can't give this less than 4 stars
so fucking inconsistent it's not even funny but SHUT UP FOR A SECOND and let Love Lies Bleeding and Grey Seal and Bennie and the Jets work their magic and THEN KEEP LISTENING because even at his worst 70s Elton John knows how to put on a show. super fun times deserves to be one of the 1001? YES!
Fan erkänner mig besegrad. Fått för mig att Elton är sisådär. Men denna skiva var grym. Å då gillar jag inte ens candle in the wind. Skönt energi och varierande. Kommer lyssna mer!
Funky narriative musical storytelling. I've heard many of these songs before this album from single releases. Distinct voice and showmanship style
Lots of lovely songs and a few bangers. A few hokey tracks admittedly, but it still didn't feel like it went on for too long even with the over-hour length
Yeah. This is some great psychey Elton
Hadde plutselig hørt igjennom et par ganger uten å tenke over det. Det må jo være bra?
Great beginning, great end. Dragged a bit in the middle
listened to again its a classic
Terrific.
I have a feeling we're not not in Kansas anymore
Honestly really great. 75 minutes is too long though.
mega good first part of the album is just banger after banger after banger
Sprawling and impressive with a few of the best songs ever written.
Saturday Night's Alright will never not remind me of Gnomeo and Juliet
Stary ale klasyczny, bardzo fajny mix basu, jednak wokal i gitary są dość płaskie. Ale mimo tego mi się podoba
Jako największy hater pianina jakiego znam muszę przyznać, że Elton John robił naprawdę dobrą muzykę
Wonderful album. Grey seal and Alice are two stand outs that, frankly, eclipse the hits. I don't love Elton John but I respect him and his song writing partner. It can all get a bit much but I guess that is what you sign up for.
This was the fun Elton John I grew up listening to. I really enjoyed the first half of the album but the second half began to drag a bit. It's completely not what I would ever have chosen to listen to in the past, but I think it will go to my 'background music' playlist. For me, not quite a 5 but a strong 4 - a bit too much pathos for me.
Zuhause, Heidenheim, Deutschland. Tolles Album.
Elton’s always great. Enjoyed the country/blues elements. But very long.
Great album not much more to say
Some killer tracks, and I loved when the album went really out there, especially the intro. But did not care for Elton doing “reggae”
Elton John is just a phenomenal musician. I don't love every song he does, but his hits fucking slap hard, and his "lesser" songs still are pretty damn good in their own right. I didn't grow up listening to him, it was more of a post-teenage re-introduction to his music that really made me appreciate it.
good but somehow repetitive
This was Harmony.
Gotta love Elton John. Fun album, much better than the other one I've had of his, Madman Across The Water. A lot of good fun songs. Bennie And The Jets had good music. Jamaica Jerk-Off was a blast. The Ballad Of Danny Baily was fun, as was Dirty Little Girl, good guitar work in that one. Saturday Night's Allright is a classic, great song. Roy Rogers had a fun western sound. I would have picked that one as the best song. But.... this album also has a little song called Candle In The Wind. Such an incredible song, sad and sweet and just a pleasure to hear the piano and vocals. Best song: Candle In The Wind
Classic. Definite road trip music!
Great music. Fun album but also moody at times which I wasn't expecting from what I knew of his big hits. 4 outta 5
Best way to start off an album, an 11 minute mostly instrumental song. Very much enjoyed the album. A very strong start in terms of the first 4 songs, did tail off a bit and therefore a 4 star.
This is a great . Trim a few songs and this might have been a 5
truly the pick me up i needed today!!
Pretty good. A bit long, but some real hits.
-1 for an attempt at reggae
Sweet Elton, au e künstler wo mer mal muss glosst ha. 4 pinki pfaufedere
fantastisch! bi froh hani's endli glost <3
This is nice, and it's one of those classic 70s CDs from the peak of rock music that stands the test of time. Within that top group though, it's kind of middling. The beginning is very strong - it has his 3 biggest hits, and I love "Love Lies Bleeding" and "Grey Seal", those should be on the radio more. But the back half really drags, the overall quality is mediocre, and it's really long. "Dirty Little Girl" and "Jamaican Jerk Off" in particular are two that I bet Sir Elton wishes he has back, and without them this could've nearly fit into a single LP. I debated between 3 and 4, but I love glam, and the peaks here are high enough (especially the title track), plus it's a single-album's worth of quality material with a bunch of filler.
great
Seguimos con discazos. Este es uno que no tengo escuchado de pe a pa debido a su extensión y sus 17 canciones. Siempre que tengo ganas de escuchar a John, generalmente voy a otro de sus primeros discos, mucho más escuetos; o a alguno de los últimos, porque el tipo tuvo un gran comeback. Este disco tiene igual temas tremebundos que me vuelven loco. Las mejores: Mi canción favorita del disco es la primera: Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding, que también es una de las primeras canciones que me gustaron de él. A mi John siempre me gustó más como compositor y como pianista que como cantante (su voz es demasiado perfecta). Y la primera mitad de esta canción, los primeros 4 minutos, me parecen gloria pura. Después maduré y me empezó a gustar como canta John, así que también pasé a disfrutar mucho la 2da mitad de la canción, más rockera. Otra canción fantástica 10 estrellas es la homónima, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, con una letra buenísima y conmovedora (prefiero pensar que no es un mensaje de Taupin para John, eso le quita algo de magia) y una melodía eterna. Otra canción espectacular es Grey Seal (¿La canción infravalorada del disco?: es un art rock perfecto, con tal vez la línea de bajo más memorable de todo el disco. Es una canción que siento que si estuviera en otro disco con menos canciones hubiera sido el highlight; al mismo tiempo esta canción me parece superior a otras que sí fueron hits como Candle in the Wind, así que no sé. Otro temón: I've Seen That Movie Too. No sé si no es la 2da mejor canción después de Funeral for a Friend. Lo que hace John con el piano es espectacular. Y la letra!? Impresionante. The Ballad of Danny Bailey: posiblemente la mejor canción del 2do disco. Por alguna razón creo que hubiera sido una gran canción de Lennon. Social Disease: El disco vuelve a repuntar al final: Social Disease es un temazo mucho más memorable que los anteriores. Un pop muy melódico donde John se acompaña con un banjo que le da un factor un "toque" más country: una canción divertida en un momento en el que el disco se estaba volviendo aburrido. Harmony: el cierre del disco: una balada pop perfecta de las que solo John nos puede dar. En este disco se extrañaron (está Candle in the Wind que no me gusta mucho), pero viene al final y hay recompensa. Las que están bien: Otro hit del disco fue Bennie and the Jets. Está bastante bien. Me gustaría que durara un poco menos, pero es innegable la melodía que tiene. Y es una canción en la que John se suelta, ¿no? Siento que en un disco con 10 canciones sería una cosita más acotada y no se hubiera convertido en el hit que fue. This Song Has No Title es divertidísima, pero dura solo 2 minutos. Es difícil no verla como una coda a GYBR. Me hace acordar a esas canciones de Queen de vaudeville que me parecen divertidísimas pero tmb sé que son un poco pelotudas. Sweet Painted Lady también está bien. Lo que pasa es que es el tema 9 y, a esta altura, quiero MÁS Y MÁS como Karina (?). Es un tema simpático que en otro disco con menos canciones me gustaría más. Me hace acordar un poco a Francia (no sé si es la intención) con ese acordeón. Las canciones 11-14: están bien pero es una secuencia de 15-16 minutos de rockandrolles medio genéricos (un tema más twist que rock and roll): por separadas estas canciones son buenas (de hecho Saturday's night... fue single y es un buen single): todas juntas son mucho de lo mismo, y llegando al final del disco. Roy Rogers: está bien, pero me aburre un poco. Es el tema 15 del disco, quiero un tema que destaque acá. Las que no me gustan: "Candle in the Wind" es una canción que no me gusta mucho; nunca entendí a Marilyn Monroe, me parece sobrevalorada. Y cuando después le re-dedicó el tema a la pelotuda de Lady Di es peor. Me cuesta mucho disociar el tema de eso. No sé, está bien, pero prefiero skippear este tema. "Jamaica Jerk-Off" es un tema influenciado por el reggae. Bastante pelotudo. Seguro: es mejor que los intentos de Eric Clapton por emular este género, en un disco que ya revisé y que no debe ser mencionado. Al menos es solo UNA canción, y es relativamente divertida, si bien, boludona. En suma, es un disco excelente. Agrupé las canciones en tres categorías; la peor solo tiene dos canciones (y estoy seguro que la mayoría discreparía con una de esas dos), pero son muchos temas, muchos, muchos, muchos. Y es un disco que creo que pierde con tantas canciones. Hay discos como el álbum blanco que me parecen perfectos por sus imperfecciones; y hay otros como éste en el las imperfecciones son solo imperfecciones. Por todo esto le pongo 4 estrellas. Pero no se equivoquen. Algunas de las mejores canciones de John están acá.
More than just the singles, the opening track was fantastic. Couple songs could have been removed and it would have been a 5 star
A lot of fun Muppets energy on this one, and Elton & Kermit are killing it!
There were some good parts.
Love this album
Great start to the album but drops off a little. Loads of great songs!
Åpner sterkt, tar noen rare turns, med foreksempel Jamican Jerk-Off. Tenker Elton ikke trenger å drive med reggea. Alt i alt et ålreit album. Elton er flink.
Classic album, Elton in his prime.
Familiar with the hits on this album but first time listening through. First song feels unnecessarily ornate with long lead in that never really builds. And this holds for most of the album. Candle in the Wind frankly always associated with Princess Di and found lyrics deeper than expected. Benny and the Jets live has a great vibe - realization that Ben Folds stole from EJ in terms of playing style and song structure. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road appeared in a lot of movies when I was young and listening today took me back to my childhood home and deep innocence - I could see an album label circling the spindle. The next 3 and frankly rest of the album largely forgettable. Alice is fun - good way to conclude a side of the record. Good enough to score highly for the hits but not near perfection I am seeking for a 5. 4/5
Classic. A few tracks I would have left off. Still, the singles are legendary.
Couple great songs and a bunch of filler.
Iconic standard. Lot of good stuff.
This is #day366 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… this has to be my first-ever full album experience with Elton John. And what an album to start with, right? There's something unmistakably '70s about it the moment you hit play. Glam rock is front and center, but so is progressive pop and pop rock. I mean, this is the same year Aladdin Sane came out. Some absolute highlights: the first four tracks (loving that synth in "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding," and the title track is just golden). "I've Seen That Movie Too" and "Sweet Painted Lady" are also standouts. The piano work throughout is exceptional. Had the record been a tad shorter or spared a couple of inessential tracks, it'd easily be a 5. Still, this is a 4. Looking forward to #day367.
One of the better of the Elton Johns albums (in my opinion).
Some amazing songs mixed in with so really bad tracks (dirty girl and Jamaica jerk off)
Grew up hearing the first record of this two-record set on the radio, but this was the first time I'd listened to the whole thing. I don't know if I'm going to go out of my way to listen to the second record again, but I will say that he and Taupin crafted some amazing songs for the back half of this set.
This is my mom's jam. She loves listening to Elton John's songs.
Surely, Scissor Sisters’ favorite record.
The peak of early Elton John composition.
great
Damn. I somehow forgot this album in my 1973 album playlist and it shot up to the fourth spot. This one has bangers: "Candle in the Wind," "Bennie and the Jets," etc. This is a long album that starts with the operatic and double-digit long "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding." Although the album slogs a bit on side three, the big singles more than make up for it. Top tracks: "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting"
--Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding...love that bass starting around the 6 minute mark. A long but fun track --Candle in the Wind...great song. Prefer this over England's Rose (sorry, Diana) --Bennie and the Jets...I used to hate this song. I still do, but I used to, too --Goodbye Yellow Brick Road...good not great title song. --This Song Has No Title...very nice. I don't think I've heard this before. Great production --Grey Seal...has a nice groove --Jamaica Jerk-Off...I'm guessing Sir Elton is trying the old White Album-style genre stretch --I've Seen That Movie Too...not good enough to be six minutes long --Sweet Painted Lady...not bad but a little too old fashioned for me --The Ballad of Danny Bailey...this is weird. I love it! --Dirty Little Girl...decent. Could be shorter --All the Girls Love Alice...this one has a good groove and interesting tempo changes. Nice --Your Sister Can't Twist...trying a Jerry Lee Lewis thing. It's fun --Saturday Night's Alright...I'm not sure exactly whose ass Elton John thinks he's kicking, but this rocks --Roy Rogers...nice but basic, which is probably the point. Might like it more if I were more familiar with Roy Rogers --Social Disease...checking the volume on my headphones. I can barely hear him? Okay, it's getting louder. Intentional, I guess. It's a fun song --Harmony...fitting closer. Good stuff
Bennie And The Jets klingt einfach wunderbar, direkt gute Laune.
I've never been an Elton John fan, but I may have to change that. This album rocks. Elton is obviously a force on the piano, but the rest of his band is tight too. This album is absolutely frontloaded with hits. Standouts for me were "Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" "Candle In The Wind" "Bennie And The Jets," yeah yeah all the hits. They're good! Solid, fun album. The second half is definitely slower. It's packed with good tunes, but it just lost me a bit. The album could have been shortened a bit to be honest, but there's so much good music here this easily hits a 4 out of 5. Not 100% my shtick, but pretty damn close!
I feel like if I went to a record store right now and looked at a used copy of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, the second LP would look brand new, except for that skip at the beginning of side D where people kept dropping the needle on Saturday Night. And the first LP would be completely worn out. Did this need to be a double album, I don't think so, but I still will give it four stars, because its classic.
This is truly one of the all-time great albums. This is a classic. Best Songs Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding Candle in the Wind Bennie and the Jets Goodbye Yellow Brick Road This Song Has No Title Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) Harmony
Hitsen är klassiska örhängen, men däremellan är det för många svaga spår för ett toppbetyg. Fyra
A fine album, but way, WAY too long. There is a good 5 or 6 songs that could easily cut to bring this down to a standard album length. Easy candidates would be songs like "Jamaica Jerk-Off", "Dirty Little Girl" and that ridiculously long opener that could be saved just for concerts. While I will always take Elton John's honktonk over pretty much anything The Rolling Stones ever did, there is only so many honkytonk show tunes I can take. Also, I don't think the concept of leaving stardom and returning to a simple life really comes off, but then again I'm not interested in lyrics anyway. The hits are great. And 4 hits makes this an easy 3 to 4. Personally I am in a 3 mood today.
3 of the most famous songs out there, in a row, on the same album. Iconic. It would be crazy to see Elton live during this period. Absolute energy freak. The weak spot is the second half of the album, with a bunch of bouncy tracks that all have the Elton John sound but aren't particularly unique. I mean, this is not the worst problem to have: the man was bouncing off of the walls with ideas. But I would have preferred the punchier, 40-minute version, with the A-sides plus Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting.
Do I enjoy other Elton John albums more? Yes. Was this still fun and had some bops? Also yes
A bit too long and repetitive in sound bur some good songs on here. And an extra star just because it’s Elton
This isn’t my favorite Elton John album but was fun and nostalgic nonetheless. Elton can do no wrong in my eyes.
Of course there are some really good songs, but there are also some really not good songs like Jamaican Jerk Off. This album could be a lot better as one disc. Mid 4.
I think the album starts off really strong then gradually weakens with the occasional gem in the second half. I've never listened to the album in its entirety until today and as I went through the first 4 songs I thought this is going to be fantastic but then we hit the Jamaican number and I started to become a bit uncertain. Its not horrendous but its bizarre and ruins any flow the record had started to obtain. There are then a good few decent tracks but nothing mind blowing. Dirty Little Girl is pretty wild, funny hearing Elton John talking about grabbing a 'bitch' by the ass and giving her a well needed scrubbing. Was not expecting that. Obviously Saturday Nights Alright gets things going again but the album fails to hit the early highs. As for the positives, when the album is good its amazing. Guitars are off the scale at times , some brilliant solos. Proper rock and roll piano is hard to top and the vocals aren't bad at all. Lyrics are a bit cringe at times but I won't judge that too harshly. Overall it was a decent listen but I could probably have cut a third of the songs and went standard album length. Sorry Elton fans! Favourite track- Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. 7/10
thoughts: it’s wild to see how many massive songs are on this album. it’s pure distilled elton john through and through. i love the opener, although i wouldn’t have expected something like that to open an album like this. the title track is an all-time fave of mine. “saturday night’s alright for fighting” showing up late is a nice little shot in the arm songs: “funeral for a friend/love lies bleeding”, “goodbye yellow brick road”, “all the girls love alice” rating: 8.3/10
The first side is like a greatest hits album
This is a very good album. The songwriting is very creative and interesting and I like the mix of different styles used. The instrumentation is great, especially the piano. It's a fairly serious album and it includes lots of thoughtful lyrics. I think it could be improved if a few of the filler tracks were removed. Also wtf was he thinking with Jamaica jerk off. Overall, it's a really enjoyable album
I love Elton John, this is a great album. Not my favorite one but solid
Not bad for a double LP - doesn't really seem to drag. All of the classic hits are still classics.
Normally, I can’t really be doing with Elton John, which is why this album is a first listen for me. I know the hits and they don’t really put me up nor down. Much to my surprise, I really enjoyed this album. There is a lot to like on it, despite its vaguely prog aspect. It’s got a good mix of genres, from ballads, to rockers; prog to boogie woogie, and it’s really light. Even the album title is a nice piece of self-aggrandising fun. Reginald himself might be a prize wanker, but this is a damn fine album.
My favorite of his that I've listened to.
Strong opening, a few questionable tracks, Jamaican Jerk-Off is a poor man's Dreadlock Holiday.
'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' is fun, surprisingly versatile and exciting. I once had the opportunity to buy this one on vinyl, but I didn't, because I thought Elton John wasn't really an album man. Now I know I was wrong.
A good album as it happens! Never listened to it in it's entirety before but will be doing just that from now on.
Lots of amazing stuff on here, maybe stagnates a bit at parts but overall really nice. 4 stars
Love the heavy use of piano in some songs. Very joyous and whimsical.
Great ballads. Fun songs like "Bennie and the Jets." Loving it. Wait... "Jamaican Jerk-Off"?!? Okay, and we're back to some ballads.
Listened
Generally a nice album. My faves were 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', 'Candle in The Wind', and 'Grey Seal'. 17 Elton John songs in a day was a bit of a challenge though I must admit, his hyper energy style of music doesn't always fit the mood!
So good.. So close to a 5 but I'm just thinking of other albums I consider 5s and don't know if I can justify this one. Sorry Elton.
yesterday i came up with the brilliant theory that i can self insert myself into everyone from the wizard of oz and dont feel weird. and today i got this. i just really don't know why. but anyway the album is rly decent. i know that ive said similar words over and over again but ill still say it. also the output of sir elton and bernie on the album is rather instable. there's classic songs like the title track while something will make you think "what?". 4/5
The rockier and more upbeat songs really elevate this album to a great place. It's not back to back banger but there are some superb songs on it.
A classic
One of his better albums
WOW this opener is good...... All the Young Girls Love Alice, another standout
The first 3 tracks are great Bbbbbbenny and the jets! very good all the way through liked it alot more than anticipated
yellow-dressed piano man
Sold 4 heard this one before that outro was bananas🙏
Magnificent singing, the best Elton album and his top songs are on here.
I listened to this album a lot with my dad growing up, but it’s been a while. There’s less filler than I remember, but I do think this juggernaut would be greatly improved with editing. Just for kicks, these are the songs I’d cut: - Jamaica Jerk Off (there seems to be universal agreement that this song sucks) - I’ve Seen That Movie Too (snooze) - Dirty Little Girl (this is just “Bennie and the Jets” but not good and kind of gross) - Roy Rogers (snooze) Still, most of this record is truly great. The 11-minute opener kicks ass, the hits hit, “All the Girls Love Alice” made me queer, and “Harmony” is a lovely closer. I agree that this is probably Elton John’s magnum opus, but I wish it was unburdened from the weaker tracks.
It’s Elton John, this album includes iconic single realesses, I enjoyed the album as a whole
some of his best, and some forgettable tracks. Not sure I've heard an Elton John album that floors me start to finish yet
muitcho bom, nao ouvi tudo
Candle in the wind is actually excellent but was ruined at the time by the Diana version. Really good album, shame about the Jamaica jerk off
Love Lies Bleeding is an unreal tune
Classic for a reason. Great album, several great songs, and even discovered a few new ones for my personal collection.
Strong overall, if a little flabby in middle (double albums almost always are) with a handful of close-to-classics that continue to age well. Elton gave it his all, it would seem, and definitely had a good time with it, even if he got a little tiresome in his late, ubiquitious celebrity days.
Such an absolute classic.
Real good blend of pop and jazz, some rock. I liked it
Enjoyed, need to listen again
Elton's best album though it's not without it's skips (cough "Jamaica Jerk-Off" cough cough). Favorite track: Bennie And The Jets 3.5/5
Elton John always makes me so happy. Classic album 4.5 tho because idk
Good album
Full of hits. Nice hear!
8/10…glam rock
M'ha fet il·lusió començar el projecte amb Elton John. He descobert que es un doble disc. Crec que la meva part preferida és la intro instrumental.
So many classics in this album, it's hard to love. Really embodies the greatest parts of piano rock and classic rock'n'roll from the 70's. Didn't expect to like it as much as I did, but I'm glad to consider myself a fan of it now. Pure fire!
I wish I could've experienced this when it was brand new. Love the album art It has plenty of great songs, but as an album, dare I say, it's a bit overrated. It lacks cohesion and is inconsistent in terms of quality (especially in the middle). Most pleasant surprise: Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding Fav Track: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John's magnum opus. If I'm not mistaken, the 3rd of 6 straight #1 albums in the US. I would call it a flawed masterpiece. It's very bloated, with over-the-top production in some places. As many people would agree, "Jamaica Jerk-Off" should have been cut as it doesn't fit and is the most annoying track. I also think "Dirty Little Girl" and "All The Girls Love Alice" are a bit weak. I've also never been a fan of the ordering of the tracks. "Candle In The Wind" (one of my least-favorite songs ever, but probably because I heard it too much as a kid) right after "Love Lies Bleeding" takes out a lot of momentum from what is a much more upbeat album overall. It should be reserved for maybe the end of side 2 or 3. I would put "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" as track 1 as it quickly establishes the mood, then "Bennie and the Jets"-- the audience noise reminiscent to the transition to "With A Little Help From My Friends" on Sgt. Pepper. "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" could be earlier, maybe the opener to side 2. I think "Love Lies Bleeding" actually serves better as an album closer than opener.
Easily Elton's best work, probably spread a little too thinly across a double album to make it a truly top-tier LP. Enough great songs to warrant four stars from me though.
I've never listened to an Elton John album before. Of course I'm very familiar with a few songs on here, but it's pretty interesting to hear them together on the same album - a great diversity of styles, and surprisingly it kept me engaged through all 70-something minutes.
Opens with a set of A+ tracks but unfortunately does not return to that high. Still. Fantastic album
Did Jerk-off mean something different in 1973?
I enjoyed listening to this album. He has some absolute belters on here. However I have a slight issue with the length and had it been shorter it may have got full marks.
Some of his biggest hits, but also some misses and a little countryfied at times for me
heck yeah it belongs. Stars: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Sweet Painted Lady
4 stars. A lot of great hits. I liked it more than I thought I would.
Ow off to ask the wife for a Jamaican jerk off, wish me luck!
4,5
It’s not bad but it’s way too long. There are easily 4 tracks you can skip without missing the hits.
Dad- 10 Mom- 8.5 Mike- NA Lori- 7.5 Michael- 8 Miles- 5 Cole- 5 Avg-7.33
Elton John's best album. This one is full of classics (see: Candle in the Wind and Bennie and the Jets).
84% Best: Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding; Bennie And The Jets; Grey Seal; The Ballad Of Danny Bailey (1909-1934); Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) Must-Hear? Sure. Would be better as a single album, though.
This album was a real mix, some songs were great, some songs were forgettable, some songs were awful. Really struggled to pick a rating for it. Ultimately my thought process is that with a couple of skips it’s an enjoyable album, not just an album with a couple of enjoyable tracks. As well as the songs I already knew there were some new to me ones that I enjoyed. I like how much variation there is. I probably would listen to it again for a mood boost. And Bennie And The Jets reminds me of my mum. For some reason (it might just be that her name rhymes with Bennie) my family link this song with her. Fav song: Bennie And The Jets Least fav: Jamaica Jerk-Off
Favourite songs: Bennie and the Jets; The Ballad of Danny Bailey (1909-1934) Least favourite song: Dirty Little Girl Rating: 3.5/5
An absolute classic. Few are as accomplished as Elton, and he hits some of his highest notes here.
Like most double albums it has its flaws but there are so many legendary tracks on this and even the fillers are kind of fun
This album is a little too long winded, but there's so much strong moments that it still holds its place as a masterpiece of pop/rock.
I've never heard a full Elton John album, and this one is pretty good. Bennie and the Jets and Yellow Brick Road are classic hits. I literally didn't know the latter was Elton John. Anyway, aside from that much of this album is pretty rocking, and not as slow-paced as I imagined Elton John to be for some reason. The only real terrible song is Jamaica Jerk Off, which is not only goofy and bad but near offensively bad. 4/5 but I could see how fans of this era would give it a full five. It's a pretty complete album--my only qualm is I'm not fully into Elton John in general.
Fantastic classic album!
Chad John 4.5
Great album from Elton!
This album is a classic. It is very good.
Awesome
Elton John's career has maybe now been long enough that his discography is seen a a monolith - not something where people speak about albums, but just "what he's done", generally, or individual songs. Well, Mr John, I had underestimated you, this album is great and so much more that the handful of signal for which I know Elton John, especially for what is actually one of the more justified double albums I've heard!
Didn't listen closely but it is 90% bangers
One of his best albums for sure. Amazing piano with some fun and some powerful lyrics.
And we back boys. What a great album to come back to. I’ve got this album on vinyl and have always loved it but when I was listening a little more intentionally this time, I kinda forgot how many stinkers are in between grey seal and Saturday night. Elton has enjoyed surprising longevity in his career but one thing that always follows him is that even though he’s got a ton of hits, that also comes with a ton of not so good songs. I think if he had just cut this down to one album (with the inclusion of Saturday night) and taken out the second half of the album it would be an easy 5 for me. If you haven’t listened to Sara barellies live cover of goodbye yellow brick road stop what you’re doing right now and listen to it because it’s the best thing you’ll listen to all day.
Such a fun album that I listened to it twice over the weekend. There’s a handful of hits and the deeper cuts are really enjoyable as well. I’m pretty sure this is the first full album of Elton John’s that I’ve listened to that wasn’t a greatest hits album. I’m sure we’ll have more of his stuff and I’m looking forward to it.
I listened to this album twice over the weekend, and I find myself in the same conundrum as did with RHCP's Califonication. The highs are really high, and there aren't really any lows, but the length is ruining the 5 stars for me. There are 5 or 6 songs that you can easily cut from this album and no one would notice. Back in '73 I'm sure the extra songs were a plus, but in the streaming age, it's just too much. Don't get me wrong, this is easily a 9/10 album (it might be a 9.5/10), but I don't think it quite makes it to a 5 stars because of the length.
A personal favorite record. This one's good as there isn't a single track you'd want to skip. Not a ton of those out there.
Прикольно кайф
This is a good album! I can see why Elton John is so popular. I like Candle in the Wind, one of my grandmother's favorites (RIP). I'd go 7.8/10, so 4/5.
You could give this 5 stars for the hits alone, and I could respect that choice. "Candle in the Wind", "Bennie and the Jets", the title track, and "Saturday Night's Alright" are legendary. I like them as much as the next person. Really thought I'd rate this higher too, but then "Jamaica Jerk-Off" steps in and ruins the party. From there on it's a mix of good songs and filler that could've been cut. Double albums are really tough to pull off and create something that sustains the momentum throughout. There's very few that manage it. I don't feel like this one does. It's still worth hearing though, I'd just like it a lot more if it had been cut down to the best songs.
- Pretty stoked to see an Elton John album! - Love the song Bennie and the Jets - Even songs that I don't know I end up liking...Elton John and piano...yes. Like "This Song Has No Title"...never heard it before, still enjoyed it. - Jamaica Jerk-Off is my least fave song on the album. - Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting is another fave.
cool
This should have probably been a single album. The second half has some skippable songs. Would have been 5 but 4.
Jamaican jerk-off was the best gay orgy that Elton John ever threw!
Thought the album would be good. Didn't realize it would rock so hard for no reason???
Un Elton grandilocuente y sobrado, Podía haber sido un lp sencillo perfecto.
This album took me forever to get through, in part because it's too long, but also because of something more personal. Context: Elton John was my one of my Dad's favourite artists. Since he passed last year, I haven't really been able to listen to the music he loved. This took me about 7 sittings to get through. Look, I get that this album was a bit like throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks, but when it hits, it hits hard. Those first several tracks are all iconic. The raw talent here is palpable, if a bit self indulgent. I do think this could've been easily edited down into a 5-star album. 3.5 actual stars, but rounding it up to 4 for Dad.
Elton at peak power. Whatta way to kick off an album - an 11 minute middle finger where the frontman doesn't utter a word until about the 6 minute mark, showcasing his composition chops and letting his bandmates cook (listen to that bass guitar!) This album suffers from having too many bangers to be a single LP, but too many forgettably bleh tracks on Side 3 and 4 to be that elusive great double LP. Sir Reginald has never been accused of being a perfectionist with his output (I find his follow-up to this album "Caribou" to be a challenging listen.) It's a disappointing fizzle out on what is otherwise an iconic album. Still, the top-heavy first half is too good to give this anything less than 4 stars.
Classic. Thoroughly enjoyed it
Mye bra, men mye mid også
Fun!
Nothing takes me back to my school days of the late 70's listening to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road...songs were so much simpler, and so much more musical and poetic.
Ok
First record someone ever 'taped' for me, played it to death (as you do when you only have one tape), opened my eyes to a whole new world of music. The 4 represents sentimental value for me really, after the first four monsters it's a bit of a mixed bag, apart from the magnificent Your Sister Can't Twist / Saturday Night's Alright obvs...
A real party and some mind blowing piano - but a few duds for me (looking at you "Jamaica Jerk-Off"... Obviously a classic overall though
Great album with classic songs
Really liked this, it's only not getting a 5 because of a couple of weird songs
Very enjoyable album. Classic for a reason. Slightly biased I guess because it has such a good reputation already. I related sad that Elton John has stoped committing to the receding hairline. Specific rating - 4.3 Fav song- Bennie and the jets Least fav- Jamaica jerk-off
More great stuff! Very Elton John (shock)
Went in thinking it would be nearly impossible for the rest of the album to live up to Bennie And The Jets- was very pleasantly surprised by quite how much I enjoyed the rest of it! A few questionable musical decisions really bring it down. Favourite: Grey Seal Least: Jamaica Jerk-Off or Dirty Little Girl
Ikon
Sir John was always a legendary singles artists and this double album benefits from that big time. Ultimately, can’t help but feel that this album is overrated by the fact that it has some of his best known songs but it slips quite a bit in the middle with some weaker album tracks.
So many classics, but also a few complete unknowns
Makes me happy and excited. 4/5
3.5/5. bennie and the title track are absolute masterpieces that carry this record. there’s also a lot of forgettable music. Shoutout all the young girls love alice, intro track, harmony, and this song has no title. all very fun as well. Above all, this record is just so wholly itself and i really dig that. A real sonic character piece.
Pretty good, first of 1001. Already heard before.
Didn't like this as much as I thought I would. Some good tracks overall though. Maybe cut some of them to tighten the album up?
Rating: 4/5 | Favorite Track: Bennie and The Jets --- This album is so much fun. The only small critique holding this back from a 4.5 or a 5 star album is just withing the album was a little shorter to cut out a few of the tracks that don't hold up as well.
I’ve never been a huge Elton John fan. I appreciate this is a good album but it didn’t catch me on the right day.
Oldie and a goodie.
Another really good one. Starts with one of the best few songs for an album I’ve ver heard, and the songs after are pretty good as well. 7/10
Love the classics, but truthfully, feels a little long by the end
Das Album ist zu lang. Aber es ist kein schlechter Song drauf. Episch, aber nicht übertrieben, und wie schafft er es, dass alle Songs nach Elton John klingen, sich aber trotzdem von einander unterscheiden?
In my opinion, Elton John can’t make an album without filler. There’s no denying his talent, it’s just that he’s an artist that shines on greatest hits collections rather than a top to bottom album with a story or overarching message. That’s fine, he’s still great and this might be the best album of his I’ve heard so far. Jamaica jerk-off is, however, my least fav song and the best example of the aforementioned “filler”. A nothing but fun song that didn’t leave me with a particularly strong feeling by the end. I knew the hits in here but I’ve seen that movie too is the surprise favorite of mine. At its best, there’s a glitzy, glamorous sound tinged with weariness and sadness. At its worst, poppy and unremarkable. There’s more good than bad and for that, I liked it.
4/5 some big hits, but some of the deeper cuts (sweet painted lady & all the girls love Alice) are just as good. Jamaica jerk-off is forgettable
Great range of songs here, including some all time greats but at about half a dozen songs could have been left out to make a single album would have been absolutely killer instead of a double album that drags in places. Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting is a towering classic. I know everyone loves Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding. It’s not my favourite but I can get behind the idea of it as almost an overture of sorts. Candle in the Wind is such a tearjerker even after so many listens after so many years. Bennie and the Jets. People love this but I get distracted by the Bu-bu-bus and that hiss at the end of Jets every time. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is lovely though and Grey Seal is underrated as an Elton John song. It’s got a lot of pep. Sweet Painted Lady works for me as a quieter song that helps balance the album and while not a classic, Dirty Little Girl had its charms. With All the Girls love Alice these make for an interesting collection of songs about girls in one kind of trouble or another. Roy Rogers is a keeper. There’s a bit of filler here though that could have been easily cut and the album would have been stronger for it - This Song has No Title - Jamaica Jerk-Off (obviously) - I’ve Seen that Movie Too - The Ballad of Danny Bailey - Your Sister Can’t Twist
Strong album, maybe a bit too much though that I would listen to it again. Of course a few good classics in there.
Avausraita omaan makuun puuduttavaa tekotaiteellista schaibaa. Muuten oikein kiva limppu.
Good. The first song went craaaaaaaaaaaazy
Jamaica Jerk-Off enters the chat...
I was surprised by how much I liked this album, once again. There are easily some 10/10ers on this set, and this could easily be a 9 for me except for the fact that there are just a couple of random tracks that being it down just a bit. This guy’s piano is so good I sometimes forget it’s not someone singing background vocals. Like seriously, it feels like his piano is alive. I also found that the songs on this album were very internally consistent, and I basically knew when I was going to love a song within the first 20 seconds, even though the whole thing is 6 minutes long.
3.5/5
A classic and one which features one of the best songs in history
I really wanted to rate this five stars but there is too much filler.
I enjoyed this album! Some Elton John classics mixed in with some deeper cuts
Holy shit what an intro. Honestly pretty great, didn't think I'd have enjoyed as much as I did. Favorite tracks: Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding Grey Seal The Ballad Of Danny Bailey
pretty good. worth the hype :)
4+ stars
Johns magnum opus.
good album, long, some good tracks
Good job, Sir Elton
Lots of nice details that elevate this from just a generic pop-rock album to more of a grandiose experience. I definitely had a different notion of what Elton John’s music was, and this one pleasantly surprised me.
Did you know Elliott smith listened to this album for 18 hours straight before writing waltz #1 love Elliott and Elton xxx
Great album
So many classics. Enjoyed this.
Album starts off on fire with first five tracks, smooths out and ends pretty good but not great.
3-4 - many known songs, but newer interpretations may be better than the original
My previous knowledge of Elton John only comes from recent collabs with other artists, so this album was a surprise to me. Great vocals and well-executed instrumentals. Favorite picks: "Social Disease", "Bennie and the Jets"
Amazing album, some amazing hits that stand the test of time, but.......and I may regret this.....did it really need to be a double? It meanders in the middle in places. Think this'd be a 5 album, but there's so much just ok in the middle that i think it downgrades. But honestly, great. I love it. Don't hate me future self.
This guy’s pretty good
This is very good. A lot of his best songs here. Might be overlong being a double album.
Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Waiting Candle in the Wind Bennie and the Jets Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)
Enjoyed this more than I was expecting to. It outstays its welcome a little bit, and that Jamaica song needs to…not, but on the whole it’s a really solid album with an interesting theme about fame and ambition.
Always love putting this one on at a party and having listeners go from “huh? What is this?” to “this piano rips!” to “ SO GOODBYE, yellow brick road…”