Reviews (page 2 of 13)
Classic
i like elton and this was an album i had never listened to but genuinely blew me away
Er ikke fan av refrenget på Levon. Ellers er denne plata fullkommen. Noen andre som bare måtte høre Ghetto Gospel?
Life changing. Fantastic start. Can't bring myself to put the reasons or circumstances into words but if my future self ever sees this he'll know.
This was a fantastic album! every song was very good (albeit, fairly similar.), obviously Tiny Dancer and Levon were the hits, but Indian Sunset, All the Nasties, and Goodbye were all great. All the other songs were also nice though.
Tiny Dancer Alone
Obviously 5 stars just for Tiny Dancer but I also really loved Holiday Inn.
De este disco solo conocía Tiny Dancer. Lo escuché 2 veces, la primera no me convenció; en la segunda entendí todo.
Outstanding album (aside from "Indian Sunset.") Beautiful arrangements with emotional delivery, this truly is quintessential Elton.
This is, in my opinion, Elton Johns greatest album. It starts with what is one of his greatest songs.
great album, not as good as Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Of course Elton John shines, and there’s no bad song on this album. My qualm is that pretty much all of the songs on this album are “ballad-ish”, so they mix together a bit. But still fantastic. 8.5/10 from me.
Så väldigt, väldigt bra! Återigen ett album som jag är sur att jag inte lyssnat på tidigare. Tiny dancer är en av världens bästa låtar, det har jag alltid tyckt men resten... Magiskt!!! Älskar detta rakr igenom.
Might be Elton’s most top to bottom consistent album, boosted by the classic opener.
I’ve heard Tiny Dancer in the background a million times, but playing it loud in the car was like hearing it for the first time. There are huge strings and nice touches of slide guitar on this song, and I’d not noticed them til now. From the first track on this record felt so full of life. Levon is good, Indian Sunset is gorgeous, but I kept re-playing the title track. The build and flow of Madman Across The Water was perfect, and the overdriven guitar line added this snarl to the song that made it more than a pop track. I’ve seen that Elton John biopic from a few years back, but putting this album on during a sunny drive did more for my appreciation of the artist
Fucking fantastic
I adore this albom ive listened to it before this and it is amazing.
Cool! Knew more Songs than i thought.
In my opinion, Elton John’s first 3 albums were the best! Every song on this classic piece of rock is terrific.
Previously just liked a couple of the radio hits of his... this album opened my eyes and emotions to his talent and soul.
ja er ist ein trumpie, ja es ist oddly religiös, aber FIREEE
nice
Beautiful voice, nice piano, piercing bass . Lyrics are not so clear for me, unfortunately.
One of my favourite Elton John albums. He’s far more bitter and sullen on this album than a lot of his other work, and it really suits his voice and Bernie’s lyrics. Some of my favourite Elton songs on this; was great to return to it.
goat
Wow it STARTS with tiny dancer. This album is extremely nostalgic for me as Elton John is my fathers favorite artist so there's no way for me to write an unbiased review. And Levon is one of my favorite songs of all time. I really have a new appreciation of the string composition - from violins that really amplify young Elton's emotional range, to even a sitar. I thoroughly enjoyed this but also felt 1001 other emotions as well <3
Classique
You are either an Elton John fan, or you or not. I am!
Phenomenal; I don't need any more words for this man and his wizardry.
Hard to follow Tiny Dancer as an opening track, but he manages it.
Madman Across the Water is OAD #154 for me. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was OAD #134. Just a few weeks ago, I wrote that Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was "a classic album that I just didn't connect to that much." I felt that the record was good, but a bit sprawling. I was happy to listen to that classic album in full, but it didn't hold my attention as I'd expected. I had never even heard of Madman Across the Water, and, considering my recent experience with GYBR, I wasn't particularly excited to listen to it. I thought even the cover looked corny. I only knew one song on this album going in. Thankfully, the record begins with "Tiny Dancer." Ok, cool. Everybody loves this song. It's familiar and pretty, and many people my age thought it said "Tony Danza" when we were kids, so that's a funny part of history that I can connect to. I was listening to high-quality files EQ'd for my headphones, and I was surprised by how gorgeous the arrangements sounded on a song I had heard many times before. That was a nice start, but I can't judge the entire album based on a single, ubiquitous track. And then holy god, "Levon" played next, with another gorgeous string arrangement, then "Razor Face," weird but kind of cool, then the powerful "Madman across the Water." What a phenomenal Side A! "Indian Sunset" made me cringe at first. In 2026, I'm cautious of any suspicious "noble savage" material, but I can't deny that this song gave me goosebumps from start to finish. Maybe white people should never attempt to embody indigenous personas in their art. Still, even if I wasn't comfortable with the subject matter, I felt the character in this song was treated with the utmost respect, and I couldn't help but connect with his story. The rest of Side B was just as compelling as the best material on Side A. The bottom line is that this album contains no weak tracks, and, though "Tiny Dancer" remains the strongest, best-realized statement, I experienced Madman Across the Water as a masterpiece from start to finish. I enjoyed listening to it over and over again, and I'm actively searching for a solid vintage copy to add to my record collection. Five stars.
Surprisingly consistent, only ever really listened to Elton's singles before
Okay, we are here. Rating: 4.4/5 Short Review: This is Elton as cinematic daydream and slow spiral all at once. Dense piano, hushed drama, songs that stretch and trap you in their own internal lighting. Favorite Track: Tiny Dancer. Legendary, wistful, and you feel it in your chest even when you don’t want to.
Очень хороший альбом, иногда ищешь такую музыку
Dancer and Madman are great, tho
Best album I’ve heard through this so far
based
Album of my childhood
splendid
Excellent album. Piano, strings, guitars, rock. 4.5
No skips. Peak Elton.
Classic Elton John. A good album, would own.
Still an amazing album
Excellent, no notes.
1. Tiny Dancer 10/10 (fav) 2. Levon 10/10 3. Razor Face 10/10 4. Madman Across The Water 10/10 (fav) 5. Indian Sunset 10/10 (fav) 6. Holiday Inn 10/10 (fav) 7. Rotten Peaches 10/10 (fav) 8. All The Nasties 10/10 9. Goodbye 10/10 (fav) Overall: 10/10
Loved it. Fun and soothing. Knew I would starting with Tiny Dancer
His best I think
4.5 stars, not quite a full 5 stars but for the sake of this rating I'm going to round up, because well, it's Elton. Favorite song: Levon, although I hadn't listened to the title track all that much. It was another favorite.
I mean yeah...this album fucks. This is sooooo good. "Holiday Inn" and "Razor Face" are my underrated tracks here. I really love this album. It is sooooo fun! There is 1 Elton John album that is better, but this is great! Hearing "Indian Sunset" for the first time LIVE was amazing! Actual rating...4.75 Liked Songs: "Tiny Dancer" , "Levon" , "Razor Face" , "Indian Sunset" , "Holiday Inn" , "Rotten Peaches" , "Goodbye"
Listened twice. Will listen again!
Great record. Front to back quality.
great one
A classic album and one of the best Elton John has ever recorded. Tiny Dancer is in my top 10 songs easily.
Love it! Beautiful vocals, piano and storytelling that still sounds relevant.
Klassikkolevy ja toimii vieläkin. Tosi hienoja juttuja siellä täällä ja Elton Johnin laulu ollu aina on the point. Annetaan tälle 4 ja sille paremmalle levylle sit femma
No tätä on tullut kuunneltua vuosien saatossa ihan hemmetin paljon, joten miksikäs ei tämänkin rojektin myötä. Omissa papereissani Elton Johnin toiseksi paras levy Goodbye Yellow Brick Roadin jälkeen. Ihan timanttista soitantaa ja laulantaa, ja biisit ovat huikean hienoja. En oikeastaan löydä tästä mitään heikkoa, vaikka ei olekaan parasta Eltonia, niin silti ihan heittämällä 5/5.
Super exciting to get one of my favorite albums on rotation. I know each of these songs front and back, in fact even have a tattoo of the artwork on the back of the vinyl. No one has ever done it like Elton does it on this album. The title track is one of the best songs ever made; but this truly is 9 perfect tracks. Complete masterclass in music and always a true delight to have on.
Elton John can do no wrong musically. Tiny Dancer is the standout hit from this album but each song is an excellently constructed trip. The title track is also excellent, but my favorite is probably Rotten Peaches. Just a great album.
It was classy and Elton John always a classc
Excellent album
A timeless classic!!
Classic
!!!!!
Awesome early Elton
I love Elton across all of his eras, but this is his best.
Amazing album from start to finish. Song transitions flow in and out beautifully. Elton is a master lyricist and pianist. Really dig the backing symphony instruments. They add a whole new level to the overall sound, creating a bigger than life progressive rock story telling opera. Never thought I’d ever give this one a shot but glad I did!
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
Unreal
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
Favourites: All of them!
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
Okay, when I think that I like Elton John, I evidently really mean I like this album. I also like songs on other albums, of course, but this feels like the most quintessential version of what I consider my favorite Elton John. It starts with "Tiny Dancer," which is almost impossible to not sing along with (or at least picture the cast of Almost Famous singing along with), then it keeps going with strong songs in a similar vein (though not as catchy as Tiny Dancer), and it wraps up in under 45 minutes. Perfect. If it were longer, it might lose a star, but there's no fat on it.
Absolute fire. Sick instrumentals, story-telling and singing. Can’t really mark it down. 5/5. Indian sunset a highlight for me.
Awesome!
1st album I ever bought. I saw him live at the old Memorial Coliseum in PDX. I was 12. We were way in the back but high up and directly in the middle of the stage so far away. Great experience. You only get to see Elton for the 1st one time. Well worth it.
Elton at his best - great from start to finish
Another album that has been in my collection since its release. Wonderful album.
This feels like a masterpiece. Its so so good. Tiny Dancer is spectacular. Levon is incredible All the Nasties is superb. All of it is good, and the standouts are so good. Love this record
Me: Maybe I've outgrown Elton John, I much prefer more hard and aggressive music. Also me: Every song on this is an epic.
Phenomenal album. Very emotional.
Terrific album. Peak Elton John
Tiny dancer And more! Very good album
My favorite Elton John album. The title track alone is five stars, and then you’ve got Tiny Dancer and Levon. There’s also Indian Sunset... what a powerful song.. plus that killer solo in Razor Face. Can’t forget about Rotten Peaches, and Holiday Inn is great too. Honestly, the whole damn album is amazing.
This is probably only a 4 star album. It's really really good. But Tiny Dancer might be the best sing along song of all time. And to follow that with Levon? Hard to not round up.
Álbum maravilhoso! QoA Vesper.
Brilliant album from start to finish. Levon remains one of my favorites. Madman Across the Water and Indian Sunset were also top tracks. 5
just a wonderful art pop record with rock sensibilities, incredibly syncopated piano playing (Elton John loves syncopation i've realized) and incredibly moving and sincere songs telling stories of struggle, love and everything in between. Great album.
British ode to America in 9 songs. Great sound great lyrics, balanced with substance
Great
Great
I came into this album only knowing "Tiny Dancer," but knowing that it's one of the greatest songs of all time. What I got in return is a batch of eight other songs that are all Tiny-Dancer-quality.
Played it three times in a row. Great driving and lounging music.
Beautiful album. Really big and grand production that accompanies Elton’s iconic voice. All of the songs were great, but the title track was probably my favorite aside from Tiny Dancer, which needless to say is an absolute classic. This is the first Elton John album I’ve heard in full length and I found it very captivating.
I think this might be the strongest overall album Elton John ever made.
Just excellent. I have always enjoyed his work and this album contains a few true classics.
Brilliant from start to finish. One of my favorite albums by one of my favorite artists.
Elton John doesn’t make bad albums
This is my first time listening to an Elton John album. I’ve heard several of his songs in my life just never took the time to listen to an album. This is a great first for me!
listening
good album
Legendary
So much stellar writing and performing on this album - stories shared by the piano and given so much life.
Linda experiencia
Fun! Early Elton slapped.
Great
HELL YEAH. THIS SHIT HELPS ME BATTLE MY DEPRESSIVE BIPOLAR EPISODE. ACTUAL MADMEN WHERE Y'ALL AT?
Always amazing
Immediate 5. Have listened 12,000 times before and will listen 12,000 times again.
Holiday inn best mandolins
Never heard of this album but I love all the tracks and am familiar with all bar one of them. It's like the starter to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road... Exciellent album.
Classic Elton is always great but I really enjoy hearing some of the deeper cuts
Loved this - gosh, what a classic! *****
I bloody love Elton John. I’ve yet to hear a song by him that I didn’t like, and this album doesn’t break the rule. I initially thought I only recognised Tony Dancer from the track list, but anybody familiar with Ghetto Gospel by Tupac will definitely find some familiarity in Indian Sunset too. The piano playing is fantastic as usual, with phenomenal composition. This, coming together with the lyrical content, gave me no shortage of goosebumps over the 45 minute playtime.
luv it, such a good voice.
"Madman Across The Water" by Elton John is a pivotal album that solidified his legacy as one of the foremost artists of his generation. Released in 1971, it features a rich blend of orchestral arrangements and poignant lyrics, showcasing John's exceptional songwriting talent and unique vocal style. The album's standout tracks, such as "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon," resonate with emotional depth and poetic brilliance, further establishing his status in the music industry. With this work, John not only captivated listeners but also set the stage for a career that would profoundly influence pop and rock music for decades to come.
If your album opens with Tiny Dancer AND Levon, I’m going to give you five stars.
This has two all-time classics and maybe one of the best rock pop songs ever. Gotta give it a 5
Seminal album. prime Elton John.
This album is special to me. That piano is a cosmic force of its own. And 1971 was a great year for the mandolin.
Love Elton more than a straight man probably should. Levon is one of his better songs, if not his best.
This album is soooo good. This is madness.
I'm an Elton John fan in passing, but I'd never sat down and listened to this whole thing. I liked it at first (who doesn't like Tiny Dancer?), and was feeling a strong 4, but when Madman Across the Water came on with that jazzy guitar and bass riff it launched this mofo into 5-star territory. I love repetitive, droning riffs like that when they're tight and catchy. It just locks into something they can really jam on with feeling, but never loses its structure. What a great song. Rest of the album is great, too.
gotta love elton john
It's a great day now that I get to listen to Madman Across The Water. An album with brilliant songwriting, iconic piano playing, grand orchestral gestures, and plucky arrangements. I love this one so much. Favorites are Tiny Dancer (never gets old), Levon, the title track, Indian Sunset, Holiday Inn, Rotten Peaches, All the Nasties, and...I may as well have listed every track.
definitely some of Eltons best. opening with Tiny Dancer strong and it stays pretty consistent after that, its nothing complicated either, just pure Elton, and it pays off pretty well. I really enjoyed this listen.
A classic from ol EJ. I think Elton’s first few albums are his best and this one is a good example of why. Simple arrangements. A lot of it is just him and a piano. But when the songs open up with more symphonic and choral elements it doesn’t go too far over the top the way he would on future albums. Tiny Dancer and Levon are classics for a reason! Normally I give 5 stars to albums I’d add to my record collection but since this is already in it that’s an easy 5.
Most excellent!
We've gotten a couple of singer-songwriters in my group's journey, but almost none of them compare to Elton. He just has a way of making a song compelling as can be. Solid 5 Stars.
I’m at a 5. It was well worth the 387-day break between “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and this album; these are the only two Elton John albums on the list, and I feel like I need to listen to the man’s whole discography after this one. This is not as fun (and thankfully not as long) as Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, but I’ll be damned if it doesn’t feel as impactful in some fashion. Tiny Dancer is the obvious standout here, but I’ve never heard the rest of the songs on this album – I loved almost every single one of them, save for “Goodbye”, which, while haunting & a good track, feels TOO depressingly sad as the closer, even for an album that’s generally steeped in sad-ish songs. What strikes me the most about this album is how not poppy it is; I wrote this down while listening to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (though I didn’t include it on the website at the time), but whenever I think of Elton John, I’m expecting a bunch of songs similar to stuff like I’m Still Standing or Don’t Go Breaking My Heart; the big poppy hits that he’s kind of nestled into for the last decade, at least whenever he does collaborations. That diminishes what kind of artist Elton John is though, and I think this album proves that at a higher level than Goodbye Yellow Brick Road did, in terms of the general emotional impact relative to each song. Granted, that’s a whole year of “only remembering the stuff I really, really liked off of that album” striking my brain, but GYBR (does anyone type this??) is a relatively upbeat album compared to this one; this is where Bernie Taupin & Elton John get to flex their storytelling ability, whether it’s in Taupin’s lyrics, or Elton’s vocals, or in the orchestration that gives each song a cinematic flourish that I’m just a sucker for. I’d be remiss to not acknowledge the problematic nature of “Indian Sunset”, which I find to honestly be the biggest & brightest example of that cinematic flair, arguably moreso than Tiny Dancer for me. Inherently, the biggest red flag in the song is the use of the term “red man” in referring to the Native Americans, but the other red flag is simply letting two white British men decide to write a song with historical inaccuracies & stereotypes about the Oklahoma Territory, the Trail of Tears, and that general time period. With that said, I can’t help but feel like the two truly had the best of intentions when writing the track, and I think the general feel of the imagery & the story they’re trying to tell via the vocals & orchestration creates the emotional impact they’re going for, and hopefully gets the point across of “hey, the colonization and everything really fucking sucked, actually”. Ultimately, I think it’s just a fabulous album, and picking between this and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is a coin flip – they’re both doing different things, and I can’t truly compare them directly to each other. It should come as no surprise that this is a 5 – I’m really sad that there’s not more Elton John on the list, but hopefully he’ll have a surprise feature or two somewhere along the next… oh, 607 or so albums. Surely, there’s at least one? Either way, I owe it to myself to listen to the rest of his 70s stuff at the very least.
Fantastic
Good old Elton…nice piano and good voice
So many iconic songs on here, and so much INCREDIBLE piano playing. Truly, in my opinion, Elton at his best.
This is 1001album at its best — taking artists you think you know, and proving you wrong! I was a fan of Elton John but not as much of a fan as I am after listening to this!
Such a great album, first in a series of incredible stuff from one of the best. Elton’s ability to sing on top of the complex piano parts he carries always impresses me.
I Think that I love Elton John’s music
Another masterpiece by the master.
Great
Brilliant
Elton’s voice is extremely beautiful right from the start with Tiny Dancer. His voice is majestic and I love the chorus. The second song, Levon, continues the momentum. I’m loving the album. I want more from the album! It was phenomenal.
Captain Fantastic does it again
great album, great songs,
Hoy toca el segundo disco que aparece en el reto de éste artista, una bestia de la música. Era imposible que Elton John pasara desapercibido en su época (y en cualquiera) con la dulzura de su voz y sus ambientaciones. Se lo siente como un Bowie pero más pop. Pasional, sus canciones tienen una épica y son todos hits. Notó sutiles aires a Genesis, también. Hasta el lunes y muchas gracias.
Perfection. Not a single bad track on this album.
Unbelievable!
Bardzo dobre 5/5
yet to listen to him. recovering from the concert, now transitioning onto the pracs that are tomorrow yikesssss
Love this album. The production is incredible, it’s such a full sound. Some may say too over produced but I’m okay with it. Amazing songs, even the lesser known titles. It’s a very emotional album, pretty dark at times. Exceptional song writing and execution.
Don't think I've ever listened to Madman Across The Water front-to-back before - ridiculous! Elton John, the piano man, plays his heart out on fairly complex compositions without ever losing a grasp on his signature storytelling. Low-key blown away by this.
Madman Across The Water is one of Elton John’s more complex albums - it’s also a strong contender for his greatest album in a world where Goodbye Yellow Brick Road didn’t exist.
Listened Before? N A master in his prime produces masterpieces. This one is no exception. There are no bad songs on this album, and the mood is spectacular. Added to Library? Y Songs added to playlist: Levon
I get it now
Wow, it was beautiful. His amazing skills made it so wonderful to listen to.
Hold me closer, Tony Danza! It’s amazing to me that “Tiny Dancer” wasn’t a huge hit upon its release and that it took a perfectly written scene in “Almost Famous” for it to be rediscovered and universally beloved. Sir Elton owes a debt to Cameron Crowe. I was definitely born in the wrong generation.
Отличный альбом
Love, love, love this album. Early Elton John is just so fucking good. Nothing more to say. Loved this album for a long time and will continue to love it into the future.
fantastic. until i listened to this album, i hated elton john. i will have to go and listen to all of his albums.👍
Every song is great.
Every song is fantastic, and the hits are hits for a reason. Maybe "Indian Sunset" is a well written metaphor. Thinking of it that way helps me listen to it, otherwise it kind of fails. And that would make it the single sour thing on the album. Because this is so... beautiful. I just don't have another word that fits. For me Elton's early stuff is brilliant in every way, touches me, pulls my attention and keeps me in it beginning to end. The background vox on this are worth 5 stars alone. I love the sincerity, reaching for Americana in the way all those British blues guys did. THis is successful, unlike so much - even the Stones are treating the country and bluegrass styles like it's a posh joke. Elton makes it his own. It's good music, well recorded, executed perfectly, with far-reaching lyrics sung by one of the greatest.
I mean come on. It’s Tiny Dancer
Beautiful orchestrations and I enjoy the eccentricity of it all. I may in the minority, but I prefer it to Yellow Brick Road.
Great album. There is a lot of variety in it and each song seems a lot different from the previous one, even though you still can feel the mark of the author in every track.
great. classic
Love this album, every song. Reminds me of youth
I have never heard the whole album before. Love it
Beautiful. Fun. Classic.
Great album.
Madman. Hitmaker. John Elton.
This album starts high with an absolute classic, and it stays there for 95% of the album. I had only really listened to Tiny Dancer before, but I loved Levon just as much. I also didn't know that Indian Sunset is the sample used in the song Ghetto Gospel, which was a nice surprise when it started playing. Although this does not have as many “ classic” Elton songs as Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, I personally think it is a better album. The only downside is that it didn't have any of his Lion King songs on
Nothing I didn’t like about this. Just flowed perfectly. I don’t absolutely love it but it feels like a near perfect album.
Elton John is what I'd describe as "A Showman". It's another way of saying, he's music is very theatrical. If I think about music that would best fit in a musical, he'd be the first person that comes to mind. This record takes time to digest. It's not filled with singles and ear worms and really requires actively listening to appreciate. I listened to it the first time, and I thought it was okay. I listened to it again, very actively. Listening to every element in each track. The drums, they're punchy when they need to be and adds a real rhythm to get your foot tapping. It's never in your face, and it's exactly what it needs to be in the context of the song. Masterfully crafted. The bass lines, are never bland. If you take the time to listen to what he's playing, it's fun. Rotten Peaches is a great example of this. Listen to it, it's a good track. Elton's singing and piano is absolutely where his theatrics shine. In "All The Nasties", Elton is singing with a choir behind him. Of course he is, he's theatrical. The instrumentation arrangements are interesting. It's not a record that you would get bored of for a really long time. Each song is different, but on a theme; each song has something that makes it unique, for example, an added instrument. I think the biggest takeaway I learned about listening to this, is this. Elton John doesn't write music to write singles, Elton John writes records. And this record, is incredible. 5/5
Overall a great album of 5 stars with a couple weaker songs that hold it to an A rather than A+.
Loved
Best album yet. Ballads. Straight jams. Some cultural virtue signaling and everything. Good stuff.
9/23/24. Nearly a flawless album by Elton John. Each song is engaging and passionate, and easily memorable. No wonder people consider this a classic!
I love this album, but if we can only have 2 Elton John albums on this list, which is apparently the case, aside from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, I would have chosen Honky Chateau over this. With that being said, this is still an amazing album. “Tiny Dancer” is a classic for a reason, “Levon” is probably one of my favorite songs of all time, and “Madman Across The Water” is absolute perfection. But then we get to “Indian Sunset.” While I really like this song and think it’s beautiful, it’s something that probably shouldn’t have been written by a white, British guy, let alone performed by a white, British guy. Times were different then. The album seems to peak there, however, and the latter half just can’t hold up to how strong the first half is. Still great overall and one of Elton’s best.
Holy crap that was amazing
This is amazing. Definitely the best Elton John album I've got yet. The passion in the vocals as well as the music is incredible.
Classic
My single favorite EJ LP.
A classic.
No bad songs and the first like 6 are all excellent. Levon is a classic
Side one couldn't be any better with probably 3 of the 5 or 6 best songs of his career on one album side.
A classic
Excellent album.
I was surprised by how much I liked this album. Elton is a legend but I only knew him from overplayed classics like "Tiny Dancer" and cornball singalongs like "Crocodile Rock" and "Candle in the Wind". Any of these tracks work on their own and they work even better together.
Almost Famous Movie - Tiny Dancer https://youtu.be/kgcD0XErPZo?feature=shared
Came into this only knowing Tiny Dancer but I left a fan. Elton's got a great voice, works his piano, and writes some awesome stuff. Here's hoping for another album.
Great
10/10. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the less popular songs of the album. Tiny Dancer is a great song and probably not in the top 3-4 songs. Added all but the last song to the playlist. Anyone who says this album isn’t great is clueless.
A masterpiece!
Timeless classic and over 50 years since release.
Endnu en på grænsen mellem 4 og 5, men jeg har simpelthen gåsehud under for mange af sangene til at give den lavere. Flot og dramatisk album
Love Tiny Dancer - the only song I recognize.
Elton John has got it. Bernie Taupin has got it. They're just one of the best ensemble projects, I think. It’s not your standard rock band; Elton always has the piano featured front and center and his voice is doing the most. You don’t get that in a lot of pop music, even from the 70s. This album, obviously, has a lot of his big hits on it, including one of my favorites, 'Tiny Dancer.' 'Indian Sunset' I liked a lot musically, but I wonder if they look back on the lyrics and cringe at all.
Love it. Not every song is a bangor, but they are all unique and there are lots of good'ns.
Love! peaceful
Great album!
If you ignore the weird musical redface of Indian Sunset....
Love this era of Elton John. One of the best eras of any artist out there. Madman Across the Water isn't my absolute favorite album from this era, but it's a good one. Starts off with a bang with Tiny Dancer, and then just has a bunch of really solid songs. Great listen.
Brilliant, just freaking Brilliant. Hardly a dead spot.
Leads with two of the biggest hits of the man's career. Transitions into beautiful, lush, dramatic arrangements. Elton John the hit maker transforms mid-album into Elton John the composer. It's a genuine surprise for me, and brings Mr. John's genius into a whole new light. I loved it.
I knew the singles, but I've never dove into Elton's catalogue. That was a mistake. Elton and Bernie have put together an incredible album here. Every song holds my attention, the piano is a great change up from normal, the string arrangements are really cool, and I love the guitar work too. Lyrically I'm invested in every song. Another in a string of great albums lately.
Quite a good album, instrumentation is engaging never boring.
Perfeito! Elton.
Det som Elton John är sämst på är att göra dålig musik. Han är en av de artister jag beundrar mest och efter att ha läst hans självbiografi har jag fått en mycket bättre uppfattning om vem han är, mycket bättre än av den där jävla filmen. Även om denna inte var hans bästa platta så var det fortfarande bättre än vissa femmor jag gett innan och därför måste denna också bli en 5/5. Har typ inget att klaga på med denna.
nice
5 stars
Beautiful album!
Great album. I forgot how solid how work is.
Was thinking four but it's so much good elton, not quite tumbleweed but what is
As always from Sir Elton, chock full of instant classsics. Only Elton can bring so much unironic emotion so readily without being hokey.
Wow 🥲 It’s beautiful and full and energetic. I had heard Tiny Dancer before, but nothing else. I favorited every song.
Day147 - madman across the water is one of my favorite songs and levon and tiny dancer are just timeless gems.
great early album from the legendary piano player
It is after all early Elton John
Possibly his best album. Hit after hit.
Legendary stuff, well worth a listen.
Actually loved this
Que buena mezcla
So very good. Love Levon “ great lyrics- “ he was born a pauper to a pawn”. Tiny Dancer, Bennie the haunting Madman Across the Water. This album is truly iconic- “Your Song” is pivotal in the musical Moulin Rouge which i just saw two days ago; it reverberates through time.
What a great album!
This album has no business going as hard as it does. Never listened to it end to end, what a treat.
Nothing to say. This is an incredible album.
gorgeous vocal range set in a melodic masterpiece collective
Just a few notes in and you can tell why EJ is such a star. The instrumentals alone are gorgeous. Add in his smooth voice, catchy tunes, great lyrics—love it.
Great - like it
own
I already know this album very well and grew up listening to it. Love this old Elton John recording.
This is a great album!
Elton John - best male vocalist EVAH!
Very cool orchestral rock sound on this record. I get a heavy Beatles and Band influence on this record. The songs all work together very well.
maybe my favourite Elton John album
One of the best albums of all time!
What a genius, and a gift to the world of pop music. Such great songs!
One of the best Elton John albums.
Awesome!
I’m torn because Tiny Dancer is one of my all time faves. I want to give this a 4.5. What to do?
Such rich beautiful songwriting. Killer mix. Can’t imagine what it’d be like to hear this upon release and realize how different and unique it is. Struck especially by the symphonic layers and rich texture of production. Love.
Faudra que je le réécoute
okayyyyyy
These early Elton John albums are much more meaningful to me than his later bigger releases. After Honky Chateau, Elton became much more flamboyant, his clothing got wilder, the music got rockier, and Bernie Taupin's lyrics got more out there. These earlier albums have a much more personal feel. For Madman Across the Water, I listened to the 2016 remaster/deluxe version which expands to include alternate versions and, best of all, a slew of piano demos. This set of demos could easily have stand on its own as a standalone alternative version. Stripped of the excellent rock and orchestra arrangements, these songs really shine. Elton's piano work and vocals are as good as I've heard them. Bernie's lyrics really shine in these performances. I'd love to hear this approach taken with Elron's later work. I highly recommend this album, as well as everything from this early EJ period.
This is my favorite Elton John album. Loaded with great songs.
It's Elton John! His music is amazing and his voice it's simple unique, no one like him. Most of the songs here are really great and i enjoyed them. Another thing that I have to say is that the cover for me it's really great, I like the monocromatic use of blue color and the typography.
Excelenteeeeeeee
There’s not a lot to hate here unless you hate EJ.
I love listening to this. Tiny Dancer!! What a career he’s had.
This album rules way more than I expected! Besides the just masterful songcraft, there’s an edge, like an underlying seething anger that only barely bubbles to the surface. I also feel like Chris Cornell listened the hell out of this record.
Wow
Sad and sweet