Madman Across The Water

Dammit Elton John, why don't I like you? Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of glam, even gaudy, music. But for some reason I'm just not connecting. Maybe it's your ballad structure, piano forwardness, love of california? Maybe you're too bombastic? Maybe your music feels both too sincere and not sincere enough? Maybe it's the thinness of your drum in the mix or that so many sound like You. Maybe your songs go on far too long, loitering far past their welcome? I don't know. Maybe one day I will. But not today.

To be honest, I've always cared about Elton John's music about as much as the current economic situation of the Marshall Islands. This is a really good album though, so maybe I should look into the Marshall Islands more. As it turns out, 77% of their exports are passenger and cargo ships. Also this is my 365th album. Thanks for a great year! This site really made each day a bit brighter and I look forward to roughly 2 more years of great (or at least interesting) music! :)

“Madman across the Water” by Elton John (1971) Long familiarity with this album, which I owned on cassette tape and listened to endlessly on a mono portable deck. Bernie Taupin wrote the excellent lyrics, Elton John composed brilliant melodies and performed the songs with passion, while producer, arrangers, studio musicians, choir, orchestra, and engineers put together one fine collaborative audio production. This one of the earliest albums where the mixing board becomes a musical instrument on its own (the producer, Gus Dudgeon, knew exactly when to ‘tell’ the piano to sit back and let the backing musicians take over). If it weren’t for a couple of clunkers (“Razor Face” and “Rotten Peaches”), this album could’ve been a classic. Elton John has characterized himself as a pianist: “I’m a pounder.” He’s right. He never developed his left hand, and his right hand is chord-heavy. But his piano/vocal composition, dynamic synchronization, and blend are magical. His vocal melodies are enthralling. As an experiment, try to listen to just the melody, while filtering out the vocal trills, runs, and stylings. Then also filter out the chords and background musicians, and you should touch greatness. Sequences of cascading and unanticipated intervals, always leading home to the anxiously expected tonic, frequently supplied only by the instrumentals. The melodies of “Tiny Dancer”and “Levon” will live forever. In terms of psychological horror, the title track “Madman across the Water” is profoundly angry, and fittingly under appreciated. Taupin shines (“Is it in your conscience that you’re after another glimpse of the madman across the water?”), while Sir Elton’s melody and vocal performance scares the hell out of you. And the social justice sensitivity of the sad and angry ballad “Indian Sunset” moves to tears (even if it’s tainted by a historically uninformed and anachronistic confusion of the plights of Iroquois, Sioux, and Apache cultures). I can’t listen to the line “Peace comes with a bullet hole” without a tissue. Fine album. 4/5

Hard to follow an opening track like "Tiny Dancer" but, with one exception, it's a great album. "Indian Sunset" is a real stinker of a track. I mean... why? What would possess you to write a song like that? Why do you think that's okay? Taupin really screwed that one up hard. Minus one star for culturally insensitive and historically inaccurate appropriative "story telling". The rest of the album is quite nice, though.

Enjoyed the classic that is Tiny Dancer, rest was meh

Hits are stron Songs too lon Patience gon Elton John

I enjoyed the theatricality so much more than I thought I would. A classic with a lot of sincerity, but Indian Sunset certainly does not stand up.

Man this guy can sing! Loved it, and found some songs to be way more gospel-like than I expected but I dig it

A bunch of random stories, album wasn't cohesive. A lot of songs sounded the same. Ghetto Gospel sampled Indian Summer Favorite songs - Tiny Dancer, Levon

I think this may be my favorite Elton John album. Perhaps because it contains "Levon," the first track of his to ever really capture my imagination. His creative collaboration with Bernie Taupin is incredible. Elton John is certainly a very talented musician and performer but honestly I think it is the poetic imagery and mysterious fractured glimpses of implied storytelling in Taupin's lyrics that really draws me in. "Rotten Peaches" is my second favorite track on the album.

Love me some classic Elton but this doesn't really make the cut. First two are great, rest is typical '70s Reg - clumsy but oddly endearing lyrics and some pleasant tunes. Broken record on this topic, but Tumbleweed Connection is the forgotten masterpiece!

A pretty solid (and dare I say “proggy”? Prog-ish?) release from Elton John. First half of the record was better than the back half. Tbh, Indian Sunset was where I started losing interest and Rotten Peaches was laughably dumb.

"Tiny Dancer" might have one of the greatest build ups of all time. Over 2:30 to get to the chorus! Unreal restraint and talent on display here. And then Elton outdoes himself and goes straight into "Levon". The record loses a little steam with "Razor Face" but bounces back with the title track, which is heavier and more atmospheric than I expected. This album almost gets a five from me for its first two tracks alone. It feels like a classic, near-masterpiece to me. "Indian Sunset" is compellingly cinematic if you can ignore the stereotypical representation of an Indigenous warrior written by a white British dude with very little in the way of meaningful perspective or insight. It's not particularly problematic, but it hasn't aged well. I can't quite bring myself to give the record a five, but it's a worthy inclusion and I really enjoy how dark and introspective Elton gets here. Especially "Goodbye". Chills. Rating: 4.5/5 Favourite tracks: Tiny Dancer, Levon, Madman Across the Water, Holiday Inn, Goodbye

Selling Americana to the Americans is never easy. This does it superbly.

Another brilliant one in my eyes. It's no Yellow Brick Road but what a way to start the album with Tiny Dancer. I also didn't realise that Indian Sunset was the 'those who wish, to follow me' song. A fantastic tune that gives me the rising ballad feeling that I so adore. Long may the hairs stand tall on the back of my neck. I was pleasantly surprised when Levon came on after the classic opener. Straight into another ballad type song but I suppose that is the bread and butter of Elton John if we're honest. Just to confirm: I really enjoyed Levon. Only listened to this all the way through once but I will almost certainly be listening again. I enjoyed the feel of the entire album, very ballad-heavy which is right up my street; however, I was hoping for a 'Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting' type tune to burst out of nowhere. Despite that, really good stuff.

I don’t know if I can give an honest review of this album without the color of sentiment. This the epitome of early Elton John. His bright, young, expressive voice takes center stage of every song. He sings with enthusiasm and never just recites the words. Every song is easy on the ears with no unnecessary noise. Every instrument is brought in and faded out with purpose. Of course the piano lays the foundation. But horns, strings, and even an accordion take their place in the songs. This album is often overshadowed by later ones. But this brings out the early talent and lays out musical elements that show up in later albums.

This was my first time listening to an Elton John album in full and my man knows how to make good music

This just opened my eyes to how talented he is. What a voice

‘Indian Sunset’ is probably the only real misstep here, but Elton still manages to salvage Bernie Taupin’s lyrics with a wonderful arrangement. Everything else works, from everybody’s favourite ‘Tiny Dancer’ to the awesome title track, to (surprisingly) ‘All The Nasties’ and on. I can’t quite bring myself to give this is a 5, on account of ‘Indian Sunset’, but it’s a very, very close-run thing. ‘Madman Across The Water’ is a mostly excellent album and one I look forward to re-visiting often, a new favourite.

if you can overlook the 7 minutes of whitesplaining the native american plight, what you've got here is elton's first genuine banger of an album. nowhere near the heights he'd reach in the next few years but a great album in its own right.

With most songs clocking in around five minutes, the record feels like a major work, and in many ways it is. Madman Across the Water begins to fall apart toward the end, but the record remains an ambitious and rewarding work, and John never attained its darkly introspective atmosphere again.

It isn’t love it isn’t hate it’s just indifference.

Just not my thing. I find Elton John quite annoying when it’s not a song I know well. Gave up halfway through.

Elton John has so many albums that I've mostly only listened to greatest hits albums out of sheer laziness. So glad this was recommended because I didn't even know about this one.

The second Elton John album I've listened to as part of this project. And again I'm quite taken with it. I had already forgotten the piece "Tiny Dancer". It was nice to hear it again. I think I will listen to this album again. Will I become a fan of Elton John? Probably not, but I will probably give up my previously rather negative attitude. 5/5

I used to think the title was some kind of marketing ploy aimed at Elton John himself. Now I think maybe it refers to longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin, whose lyrics are completely bananas. Is there a luckier man to ever exist, who responded to the same newspaper ad the same time as the only person alive with enough talent and charisma to turn his words into magic? Anyway, Elton John is incredible despite whatever nonsense Taupin makes him sing about.

That Tony Danza song really tugs at the heart. Had no idea Elton was gay, and his love for Tony was surprising to hear about!

Classic, sort of cozy

A swell time.

Tiny Dancer = Humongous Banger Reste de l’album = Ouain cool, mérite une deuxième écoute

Eher schwacher Title Track, aber Tiny Dancer/Levon/Razorface ist ein wundervoller Start. Die restlichen Lieder überzeugen mich zwar nicht ganz, der Gesang bleibt aber über das ganze Album erstklassig, demnach gebe ich knappe vier Sterne.

If you can get past the Album cover then you’re in for a good listen. I don’t know, there’s something about the album cover that just puts me off. This isn’t “1001 Album covers you must see before you die” after all.

it seems silly to write that the piano stood out for me on this album, considering it's elton john. but it did! it's no wonder his piano playing is so renowned and respected. the piano was beautiful and commanding in every song. the piano in "tiny dancer" (while a great song) is what allows the listener to become destroyed. and i must bring up bernie taupin! elton gets a lot of well deserved credit, but this album is filled with beautiful lyrics. while the "madman across the water" song has a soaring piano, the lyric of "is the nightmare really black/or are the windows painted" is what makes the song into an epic masterpiece. all this to say, john and taupin make a great team. a super enjoyable listen.

A fine album from Elton that contained elements of what would carry him to his imperial phase later on in the decade. The first four songs load the album with consistent hooks and catchy melodies, the middle portion is a little forgettable and the last two songs end the album out with great ease. One of the few worthwhile introductions to Elton around this time if you want to get ahold of what he was about. Favorites: Tiny Dancer, Levon, Razorblade, Madman Across the Water, All the Nasties.

Indian Sunset is the only blemish on an otherwise perfect album, but boy, what a blemish it is. Best track: Levon

Only song i was familiar with before listening with Tiny Dancer, so that was a good start (Also not having Tony Danza in a single scene in Rocket Man was a missed opportunity) To me this is a prime era of Elton John Madman across the Water is another stand out track, almost verging into proggy territory. Rotten Peaches was the only real meh track to me, rest of the album was pretty solid

I was quite familiar with this album. It has a very American barroom feel. The standouts were Tiny Dancer, Levon, and the title track. Some of the songs drag a bit

Jumps from the sublime to the absurd, but even Bernie Taupin's well meaning (but essentially racist) lyrics about native Americans can't stop this album being fantastic. Best tracks: Tiny Dancer, Levon, All The Nasties

Really tried liking this bold move, and I thought I was going to give this a 4 after the first listen, but Elton John just can’t pull off folk music ideology within his style. As a result, I couldn’t make it through a second listen.

I love Elton John's music, but Madman Across the Water just reinforces my belief that he’s more of a singles artist than an album artist—Goodbye Yellow Brick Road being the big exception. “Tiny Dancer” and “Levon” are absolutely great and easily the high points here. The rest of the album isn’t bad, but it definitely tapers off. Nothing else really sticks with me the way those first two tracks do.

I think I’m discovering elton john is not meant to be listened to in a full album probably ever. he has bangers and they are great on their own or next to other artists’ tracks but it’s really too much all together in a row. It’s just too theatrical for me. It’s similar to how I feel about queen — great at making these cinematic pieces, but if every song is A Lot then none of them feel like anything. So I think each of these songs is fine on their own and well constructed, but put them all back to back and you lose the intrigue of each one’s drama.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1001 ALBUMS - # 55 The original Mad-Piano Man 🎹 claims his mark ways ahead of Mr. Billy Joel on this memorable release. Elton John’s fourth studio album marked a shift toward a darker, more introspective tone. It features lush orchestral arrangements and deeply personal lyrics from Bernie Taupin. Elton’s songwriting partner Taupin’s lyrics on this album are some of his richest and most poetic. The writing takes a more serious, gloomy turn compared to the upbeat pop of earlier albums like Tumbleweed Connection or Honky Château. Themes of disillusionment, identity, alienation, and mysticism thread through the songs. 🎧 Classic Track: Tiny Dancer 🎧 Deep Cut Gem: Indian Sunset 🎧 Personal Favorite: Razor Face Musically, this album leans into symphonic rock and progressive influences, featuring heavy string arrangements, lush piano-led compositions that give Elton full space to be emotional and grand with layered production that feels more theatrical than radio friendly. 🖼️ Album Artwork: Phoned-in Compared to later, more polished pop albums like Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, this album has an earthier, more dramatic character. A brooding, beautiful early-’70s standout that is worthy listening to Sir Elton’s more celebrated works.

Here we go with my first Elton John album! It's a collection of piano ballads (which is what you would expect from Elton John), the music is pleasing but the most inspired aspect of these songs is the lyrical content, with Elton John being more of a storyteller here (looked at the Wikipedia page and I guess the one I should shout out is Bernie Taupin). Some tracks stood out to me (and I put those in the "favorite songs" section), but this is not really up my sleeve, the songs are all pretty similar. Favorite songs: Tiny Dancer, Levon, Madman Across The Water, Indian Sunset, Goodbye Would I listen to it again? I don't really feel like it, but it might be worthwhile as this one could be one of those albums that grows on you. 7/10

Not mind-blowing. Tiny Dancer is a classic and the rest is forgettable but comforting.

Don't have much to say about this one, as it felt like every single song was the came. Tiny Dancer only stood out as it has been made popular through other forms of media and Indian Sunset stood out as it was sampled in a 2Pac song. Had it not been for either of these events, there would be nothing special to say about this album at all.

The emotional weight of Tiny Dancer and Levon bring me to tears every time I hear them. I wasn't familiar with the rest of the album, but aside from Rotten Peaches, the rest of the album is solid.

Great

Very good. I like pianos. He can go very deep in writing songs. The lyrics are good too. I took me a while to understand what “wine will flow into the land and feed my lambs” means. Very poetic, I really like it. Just being very picky about his delivery because he can sing very well, but I do feel he recorded the entire album just in an hour? Not as emotive as I thought it would have been. Nevertheless, it’s still an amazing album.

Favorite Track: Levon

Helvetin hyvää musaa ja pakko alkaa kuunnella nyt Eltonia enemmän. 4,5/5.

One of Eltons strongest. Love it

Absolutely beautiful album, great representation of Elton John. Songs like Tiny Dancer are awesome, but plenty of lesser known hits on this album.

If it’s good enough for the cool dudes on the Almost Famous tour bus, it’s good enough for me. Enjoyed listening to this, Tiny Dancer obviously kicks things off strongly, I wasn’t familiar with many of these other songs but enjoyed listening to Elton’s voice at the height of its powers and the piano playing is terrific as you’d expect

Loved this. Listened to it twice.

Great album

One of my favorites from Sir Reginald!

love love love 9/10

Excellent! Elton John has permanently stamped himself near the very top of great musicians.

I mostly know Elton John from his big hits and I was kind of surprised by the intensity and passion in these more melancholic songs that I don't think I've heard or at least not heard a lot before Standouts ... Tiny Dancer Madman Across The Water Indian Sunset 5/5

One of my favorite Elton John albums.

Never hear Elton John's albums in full before, but my expectations were high I wasn't disappointed

A couple huge hits but even the lesser knowns on this are great.

Excellent album

Fire album. I love you Elton.

I liked the instruments especially on Indian Summer. Listenabilty: 5

Schöner Song

Elton John is a legend. This album has quite possibly the best first two songs on any album ever.

Classic Elton John,. Still amazing after all these years.

Lovely album!! I loved the strings used on a lot of the tracks.

“Madman Across the Water” might be Elton John’s best song. Every single element is brought in at the perfect moment, from the gentle acoustic guitar that leads us in, to the blare of horns that comes to back the chorus, to the rush of strings that softens and gives way again to the piano and returns us to the verses. It builds so slowly, so deliberately, so that when the ending comes in a torrent of every element, it feels like the ultimate pinnacle. The rest of the album has some absolute gems as well—Tiny Dancer, Leavon—but nothing comes close to the title track. The orchestral inclusion on some of these tracks is excellent, and compliments John’s piano playing well.

This one goes fast it’s just enjoyable front to back. I think I listened to it three times today!

Love every song on this album, a complete no skip album and could save every song. Elton John is just incredible. I knew this album coming into it, but that was 45 mins of pure bliss. My first 5 star album and think it’s totally valid as one. Each song kept me so interested and I loved listening to each one. Felt the same feel through the whole albums which was consistent but equally new for each song.

I love this album. I’ve listened to it many times, and will listen to it again many times before I die. So far, it’s the 3rd album I already own on vinyl (Goodbye Yellow Brick Road & The Stranger). This album highlights the tour de force that is Bernie Taupin and Elton John’s partnership. YES, Indian Sunset would not survive today’s sensibilities. However, I still find the song beautiful and I think it was written from a well-intentioned place. I also think Razor Face and Rotten Peaches are pretty catchy. Better, IMO than say, Saturday. Nothing compares to Levon though. I love that song so much. For those that don’t know, it’s a nod to Levon Helm (who is probably my all time favorite musician). Taupin loved The Band so much. He compared their music to Faulkner in a VHS documentary from the 90s… that’s how much he loves them. Which coincidentally is also how much I love The Band. 4.9/5

Elton sweetly singing about a guy called Razor Face over the top of someone playing a bitchin' accordion solo? Yes thank you very much, sign me up. I love piano-based songs and I love Elton John's voice. I listened to this album once, then immediately listened to it again, all the way through. It made me not hate a sitar (which I believe to be a first). Given Wikipedia says this is Prog Rock, it also made me not hate Prog Rock, which is at least a rarity. My only negatives are: - I'd prefer snappier running times (which is entirely a personal preference for sub 6 minute songs); - the lyrics to Indian Sunset have not aged particularly well (who'd have thought a white English bloke in the 70s writing about the lives of Native Americans might not be the best?!); and - when the choral ladies appeared at 37 seconds on All The Nasties I had to stifle a laugh (tone it down ladies). Parts of this really reminded me of the Symphony Orchestra version of Tommy (which I bang on about all the time) sort of crossed with Tim Minchin when he's feeling particularly dramatic. I think this is going to be controversial, but I loved this and even with my quibbles, it's getting: 5/5

Really the start of an amazing run by one of the best all time artists!

Outstanding!

I love Elton John, and Madman Across The Water is early golden era Elton. It opens with “Tiny Dancer”, which for a long time was my favorite Elton song, the piano and string section combined with that warm 70s production and Elton’s gorgeous vocals made it a favorite, also that scene from Almost Famous makes this song that much better. The fact that it’s almost topped by the subsequent song “Levon” is insane too, another ballad (as almost this entire album is ballads) about Levon and his son Jesus. It’s one of my favorite Taupin lyrics and once again the piano playing and string section make this song for me. I’ve never cared tons for “Razor Face” but it’s a pleasant enough melody. The title track is a rare guitar lead track and Elton’s vocals are really impressive on it, the lyrics are also great. The second side opens with “Indian Sunset” a song about the conquering of historically Native American lands by white settlers, it’s almost got a movie feel and the string section is truly epic, it’s great. I’ve always loved when Elton says “slow down Joe, I’m a rock and roll man” in “Holiday Inn” which is another good track. The country tinged “Rotten Peaches” is another fun one and “All The Nasties” is also great, followed by “Goodbye” I love this album, that said I find it weird that this is one of two Elton John albums on the list - I’d personally argue Honky Chateau, Don’t Shoot Me, and especially Captain Fantastic should be here before this one, while great it doesn’t show off Elton’s versatility as much as it’s more samey. Despite that criticism it is still amazing

Suena a que mañana sera mejor

I am embarrassed that I have never listened to this album. I’m have heard the singles so many times that I can sing along but I’ve always been dismissive of Elton John. He wasn’t Metal/PVNK enough. It takes a big man to admit he was wrong and let me tell you something Buddy: I was wrong. This album is a start to finish masterpiece. Bernie Taupin and Elton John are as capable as any other great songwriting duo in Rock ‘N Roll 5 STARS!

Every now and then i come across an album like this, where I've listened to the hits (Tiny Dancer, Levon) countless times and never considered listening front to back. Why am I the way that I am? Very very good. Richhhhhh arrangements. The sitar solo works in Holiday Inn (also love the Boston shout out). Somewhat hesitant to give EJ his roses, maybe because hes so insanely popular, something manufactured about the sound I have always been a little put off by, but in this case I gotta give it up. Not a perfect album but the great moments are life-affirming. New adds for me will be Razor Face and Holiday Inn.

Almost loses a full star because Indian Sunset is so unbelievably corny and stupid. But the rest of the album is so good, in the same sort of goofy and stupid way, that I'll only deduct half a star and round back up to 5. Had never heard Razor Face or Rotten Peaches but loved them both. Elton is always just having a blast out there, and that energy if infectious. What I love most about Elton though is how he so confidently and earnestly indulges in complete silliness .Jesus sells cartoon balloons in towwwwn. The lyrics to Levon are so odd and hard to follow that you'd think it would take away from the song's emotional impact - and yet i still kinda tear up thinking about how much i love my own son everytime Jesus rides a cartoon balloon into space and Levon slowly dies. It's like the silliness works to helps you lower your defenses gradually over the course of the song until finally you have nothing to protect you from that lyric hitting you directly in the soul. Not on Indian Sunset though. Elton John talking about his squaw is just too funny.

A lot of ballads, but that doesn’t stop this from being an attention holder. Everybody loves Levon. Tiny Dancer is an all time classic — and somehow managed to pull Russell out of a weird acid trip in Almost Famous Indian Sunset and Holiday Inn are huge tracks that I wasnt super aware of before this (outside of Ghetto Gospel). Fantastic instrumentation and super catchy lyrics from Taupin. 5 big ones here.

“Breast-fed on the sound of drums” is one of the worst lyrics and Indian Sunset one of the worst songs we’ve heard. Its unforgivable. It’s a miracle the rest of the album rises so far above it. Alot of this was new to me, outside of Tiny Dancer and Levon, love both of these. Read that Bernie took Levon Helm’s name for the song, because both he and Elton love the band, but Levon wasn’t happy about it. Elton eventually had a son born on Christmas Day and gave him the middle name Levon. Razor Face, Madman, and Holiday Inn are my favorite new to me tracks.

One of my favorite albums by one of my favorite artists!

Basically, Elthon John in his finest form of music! Beautiful as a fuck! Perfect fucking Album!

Masterpiece 100%

Elton John. Enough said

Easily Elton John’s best album, IMNSHO.

Best Song: Tiny Dancer I like me some Elton John and this was the first time listening to this particular album. Of course, I knew Levon and Tiny Dancer but the rest of the songs are great too. 5/5.

Quite the opener on this bad boy. My first time listening to this album. It was a treat. For some reason I'm struggling about whether or not it's a five. 5

Was al een favoriet!

nice

Brilliant instrumentation and arrangements, what do you even call simultaneous solos? How is that even a thing? The oft lengthy nature of the tracks serves to enhance rather than detract. And while the bombastic tracks in the vein of Tiny Dancer are incredible, I prefer the slower and more melancholy cuts. Topped off with rich storytelling/character building it’s tough to call this anything but an all-around-stunner. Listened to: walking through prospect park. Favorite tracks: Razor Face, Madman Across the Water, Rotten Peaches, Goodbye

La batería del final de All the Nasties le hizo ganarse la media estrella que le faltaba en mi consideración

Es increíble como Elton John pasa de una bañada country a un pop melódico, rozando el rock, soul y el sinfónico en cosas de un par de minutos, haciendo cambios de melodías, tiempos y acordes como si el concepto del género musical no existiera para este genio musical. Mis temas sobresalientes serían Tiny Dancer y Maman Across The Walter. Gran disco en general.

This album delivers everything I expect from the Maestro, and more besides. I love it.

Great album.

Ben là!! C’est Elton “f**cking 5 stars” John!

Will continue to reach for some of these tunes. Tiny Dancer is just the tip of the beautiful iceberg that is this album.

Great album