Elton John Album: “Peachtree Road”

This album picks up where Songs From The West Coast left off and builds on it even more. Peachtree Road prominently features Elton's piano and vocals. Davey's guitar is finally allowed to step out in front and stay there and is not buried in the mix and the results are stunning. The background vocals, with "Elton and the boys," definitely bring you back to the glory days.

Bernie's lyrics this time around are mostly on the happy and content side with Elton on the opening track professing he's happy where he is; "I'm wearying and I'm staying up late, and the rain hits my roof so hard, You know I'm no longer thirty these days, I'm happy to play one or two hands of cards....fortune and fame is so fleeting these days, I'm happy to say I'm amazed that I'm still around..."

Elton has crafted an album that reminds us of why we are fans with songs that are fresh and new but yet take us back to the days where Elton ruled the charts and the radio. This album will not get Elton back on the radio or at the top of the charts but that is in no way the music's fault but the state of the industry these days. Elton appears to be ok with that and we should be too.

I am a huge fan of Elton John, with dozens of his albums and CDs. I have seen the best and I have seen the worst. I was quite pleased with Elton's releases in the 90s, and "Songs from the West Coast" returned Elton to the style that made him famous in the early 70s. Unfortunately, the string of releases that culminated in "Songs from the West Coast" also raised my expectations for this release; expectations that were just a bit too high.

Taken as a whole, the lyrics are generally good. Bernie Taupin continues to churn out the words that Elton has always been so able to match with his music. Some of the lyrics are a bit cheesy ("They Call Her the Cat," as an example, which is goofy as well), and some are weird ("Freaks in Love"), but others are evocative and interesting ("Weight of the World"). As has always been typical of most Elton John albums, the lyrics are a mixed bag. However, it has always been Elton's music that turns Bernie Taupin's words into magic. Unfortunately, the magic has failed to turn Taupin's straw into gold on this CD.

There are good songs on this album; not great, but good. I enjoy "Weight of the World," which matches weary lyrics with weary music to give you the feeling that Elton has accepted his life and his age. This music compares favorably with Elton's early 70s music, when he was at his commercial peak (remember seven #1 albums in a row?). I think "All That I'm Allowed" has some nice pop riffs and good vocals.

"Porch Swing in Tupelo" has good music, but the lyrics are weak compared to similar early songs such as ""Border Song" and "Burn Down the Mission." "Answer in the Sky" is in the same category. The music is good and the lyrics are okay, but the songs are so bland and middle-of-the-road that I feel as though I am listening to another album. In the other direction is "I Stop and I Breathe." This song has good lyrics, but the music weak and the vocals sound strained.

Elton and Bernie have tried country-flavored songs several times in the past. "Turn Out the Lights When You Leave" is reasonably serviceable with acceptable lyrics and music. Most of Elton's albums have had at least one blues song. "My Elusive Song" is a good blues song that seems a lot like "Mellow" from "Honky Chateau." "Freaks in Love" is also bluesy, though the lyrics are a bit off-beat.

It is possible that something about "Too Many Tears" strikes an emotional chord with me. This music reminds me a lot of the music from "Jump Up" and "The Fox." The music is catchy and matches the mellow lyrics well. I count this song as another of the better songs on this CD. Just after this song is "It's Getting Dark in Here." It is possible that the proximity to "Too Many Tears" influences my feelings about this song, but I enjoy the harmonies, which feel so much like Elton's 70's music. I count "It's Getting Dark in Here" as another of the better songs on this CD. I love the strong piano bridge also.

After the previous two songs, I was hoping for a bang up finish to this album. I dislike the opening to "I Can't Keep this from You," but when the song hits its stride it is a decent song with reasonably good power. I also enjoy the harmonies on this song. This song is a bit better than the average song on this CD.

Now is the quandary; what is my recommendation? With about half a dozen reasonably good songs, this CD is a valuable addition to someone who considers themselves more than a typical Elton John fan. Unfortunately, the songs that are on cruise control distract from the better tracks, and prevent me from recommending this album to casual fans.

I am always encouraged when a musician I like releases a new CD, but I would have been even more encouraged had Elton built on "Songs from the West Coast." I have added this CD to my extensive collection of Elton John music, but I will be listening to many of Elton's other albums many times before this particular album makes it back into rotation again. Perhaps my opinion of this album will mellow with time; I hope it will because Elton John remains one of my all-time favorite singers.

- Several reviewers have lamented that Elton's new album doesn't rock out enough or is too "Adult Contemporary." They were perhaps expecting Goodbye Yellow Brick Road/Rock of the Westies, and got, instead, Honky Chateau/Tumbleweed Connection. I say, just be thankful you didn't get Victim of Love/Leather Jackets.

I suspect the disgruntled reviewers are younger than 40 or not comfortable with their age. Lack of a scientific poll prevents me from proclaiming that as fact, but I suspect it to be true. Let's face it, Elton is no spring queen and members of his core baby-boomer audience aren't so young either. The man is 57 years old, and no man is the same at 57 as he was at 27. What Elton is, based on a listen to this album, is a happier, more-comfortable-in-his-own skin Elton. He is more mature and reflective, and this is evident in his music.

While Songs From the West Coast was heralded as his "return to form," Peachtree Road is, in fact, that record. While very well done, SFTWC was pretty much a downer, even though EJ was back at the piano and in fine vocal form. Peachtree Road is more bouncy and uplifting, while paying homage to his adopted southland. The songs on this album each extract some different good from his 70's catalog, leaving the chaff on the grain house floor. His voice is deeper than 30 years ago, but, in many respects better. He interprets lyrics better and infuses them with emotions that he didn't dream about back them.

I've been an Elton John fan since 1972. He's never sounded better, and he and Bernie Taupin have rarely written better songs. Taupin's lyrics are grown-up and seem to nail precisely this period in Elton's life. In the early days, his lyrics were sometimes indecipherable, saved by Elton's hooks and vocals. Today they stand on their own and are merely enhanced by John's ability to craft superior tunes. They are more adult contemporary than rock n' roll, but, hey, aren't most of the rest of us these days? Be honest. You know it's true. Now to the songs:

1. Weight of the World- A "Hey, I realize I'm not a young man anymore, but I'm cool with it" song. Invoking memories of something from Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, very autobiographical. EJ leads off the album letting us know he's just happy to be here, thank you very much. Nice melody.

2. Porch Sing in Tupelo- This one starts Elton and Bernie on their southland journey, accurately describing a more laid back culture and not one mention of anyone being married to their cousin! And, I think, a nod to Elvis. One of my favorite tracks.

3. Answer in the Sky- First American single and very uplifting. Capt. Fantastic, in 1975, sang "All this talk of Jesus coming back to see us couldn't fool us." Fast forward 30 years to a slightly older and wiser Sir Elton, who acknowledges there is someone out there bigger than us. Great mid-tempo, radio-friendly song.

4. Turn the Lights Out When You Leave- Remember "Texan Love Song"? Just about as country as Elton can get and with lyrics to make George Jones proud. Hey, go ahead and leave and don't let the door hit you in the a** on the way out. Very cool.

5. My Elusive Drug-Jazzy and well-suited to John's "mature" voice, a song about love so true, it liberates. Maybe the best reviewed song on the album; seems jerky, but captivating at the same time. Just like some elusive drug.

6. They Call Her The Cat- The closest thing to rock and/or roll on the album and not too shabby thank you very much. I dare you not to move to this one. Elton seems to be having a very good time singing it.

7. Freaks In Love- How did he find out about my love life? "Love for Dummies" a Torch song for the rest of us. All of us in relationships can identify with this one.

8. All That I'm Allowed- The "rest of the planet" first single and my favorite song on the album. Very pop and a feel good tune to boot. Easy to sing along to and a positive message about being content with what we have.

9. I Stop and I Breathe- The album's obligatory Elton heartfelt ballad about a relationship surviving the hard times. Proof Peachtree Road is an EJ classic because, as the least of the songs on the CD, it's still better than most.

10. Too Many Tears- The second best song on the album flashes back to early 80's Elton with a message not to dwell on the bad things in the world but look at the beauty in the world and dwell on that.

11. It's Getting Dark In Here- And turn the last song on it's ear for a completely opposite point of view. This is a haunting song of depression and a longing for hope in a cruel world.

12. I Can't Keep This From You- Ahh, the sound of 70's AM radio classics. If you've ever been in love, yet afraid to confess to the object of your desire for fear of rejection, this song's for you.

I listened to Peachtree Road for yet the fourth time as I wrote this review. You know how some albums' quality seem to decline with repeated listening? Not this one. Nope, Sir Elton John may be getting older, but, bless his heart, he's actually getting better.

This is a solid good EJ album. If you are an EJ fan, I recommend it without reservation. If you are not, or if you are hesitating, I have the following to say: I think Elton lacks ambition. He is at the danger of repeating himself. The songs are ok, some are good, but as a whole, predictable. Yes, it is back to the roots, country-style, and I love for example "Porch swing in Tupelo", but the mood is different from, say, Honky Chateau or Tumbleweed Connection. A bit too much autobiography (Elton had enough autobiographical albums in the past!), very autumnal and nostalgic. Ok, he is 57, but come on, this is supposed to be rock music! Where are the surprises? Where is a "Funeral for a Friend", a "Song for Guy", where is an "I'm Still Standing"? Most importantly, where is a "Boy in the Red Shoes", the masterpiece and culmination point of his 2001 album "Songs from the West Coast"? Where is the anger, where is the adrenalin from that song? Some of the songs and some lyrics on this CD are simply flat (Notable exception, especially for the lyrics: Freaks in Love shows Bernie bitter and sharp as ever!) Elton and Bernie can do better!

In summary, yes, Elton should stay Elton, but I feel on this album he lacks innovation. Three stars, and they hurt me a bit, since I am an EJ fan, and I was hesitating between three and four. Anyway, it is not bad, a mediocre EJ album. "West coast" was better; he needs some more fire, ingenuity and intelligent risk taking on the next album, or I will fall asleep.

By the way: Whether you agree with my review or not, I don't think this album will make it in the US. Why? Because the album notes do not depict America how it wants to be depicted. Instead, it depicts America how it really is: Crumbling houses, Town of Gay(!), empty roads... Be as it may, Elton seems more courageous with his album layout than with his songs these days...

A new album of ballads from Elton John? This is too good to be true. This new album from Elton John is a continuation of the great songwriting from his previous album "Songs from the West Coast". The lyrics are very reflective and mature and his singing is very emotional and heartfelt. Not every song on this album feels like a classic to me yet, but perhaps with more listenings, it will get better. For now, there are 5 standout songs that are "single" quality, although the rest are still better than, say, EJ's mid-80's output.

The sound is very similar to the SACDs of his older albums, which I've started to review. The sound is a little richer, as you would expect, but a little more diffused. I think the older albums had a more distinct tone for each instrument whereas on this album there's more of a blend.

I am thrilled that this was a day and date new release on SACD, and someone in the Elton John camp is clearly a fan of SACD, and that's great for SACD fans!