Elton John

Madman Across the Water is another feather in Elton John's cap, gaudy as it may be. This time out, haunting strings -- which add depth and color to an already colorful performer -- augments Elton's beautiful, piano-driven songs. "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon" are the highlights of this nine-song disc, most of which is superb.

Elton John's music means a lot to me, and, as a result, I'm not overjoyed with this album. A
record with a theme, it's an account, sometimes photographic, sometimes emotional, all too
often metaphorical, of Elton John in America–the madman across the water. As
impressions, it's brought out the worst in Bernie Taupin and forced Elton back on his
melodic devices. These are sometimes powerful enough to make a song, but too... More >

The two decent songs here--I refer primarily to the melodies of "Tiny Dancer" (just how small is she, anyway?) and "Levon"--clock in (with lots and lots of help from Paul Buckmaster) at 6:12 and 5:37 respectively. In other words, they meander. The others maunder as well. Ugh. (Grade - C)