Ice On Fire Albany OR

If I didn't know any better; I would assume Ice OnFire to be Elton John's worst effort of the 1980s. Between theunimaginative songwriting and the processed, cheesy sound, youwould think it would be hard to get worse. So while the follow-upalbum Leather Jackets somehow managed to outstrip Ice OnFire in its utter futility, Ice On Fire came dangerouslyclose.

Originally, the only reason I gave Ice On Firea listen was that some Elton fans proclaimed it as one of thoseunsung albums. Paint me as clueless as how to this album got thatreputation. Usually, Elton's albums are at the very leastentertaining, but there is nothing on Ice On Fire thatcontinues the streak.

As an aspiring educator, you're told to discuss thepositives first. This should be easy, as there aren't that many."Wrap Her Up" is a semi R&B number that benefits the most fromits duet between John and George Michael. At times it almost seemsElton is singing with his former, 70s self. The two would becomegood friends and the chemistry is apparent. The opening track "ThisTown," easily is the best rocker of the disc, with its livelykeyboard and horn tracks and gospel-style backing vocals.

After the aforementioned two songs, it's slimpickings. "Too Young" is one of the huge melodramatic ballads Eltonis usually so good at; but the subject matter bugs me. It's theMick Jagger syndrome, with a 40-some rock star singing about abuxom young lass. "Shoot Down The Moon" gets points simply for notsounding like it came from a toddler messing around on a CASIOkeyboard. If only the rest of Ice On Fire had taken thisapproach.