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Songs From The West Coast
Elton John
Rocket / Universal Records, 2001
REVIEW BY: Christopher Thelen
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 11/28/2001
Elton John has had more hot and cold streaks than a Chicagoweather forecast. Anyone who has at least a working knowledge ofJohn's discography can point out the peaks and valleys musically,almost as if they were tracking the stock market.
Songs From The West Coast is supposed to be a return to themore organic sound that John became known for, richer in piano thanin the heavy orchestration that has marked his last few studioefforts. Yet the spottiness that has marked John's career at timesis evident on this disc, though the fault is not purely John's.
In fact, the lion's share of the faults that this disc has haveto be laid at the feet of longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin, whoseems to try his hand at "stream of consciousness" writing fromtime to time on Songs From The West Coast. (Memo to Taupin: Who do you thinkyou are trying that - a music reviewer?) The album's openingnumber, "The Emperor's New Clothes," shows how unomfortable such anarrangement sounds, as John seems to struggle to find any type of avoice - lyrical and musical - with this one. It's not the mostcomforting way to open an album.
After a little bit of discomfort on "Dark Diamond" - anotherweak lyrical effort supported by a strong rhythm track and helpedby John's vocals - the upswing begins for John. "Look Ma, No Hands"is an entertaining, yet bittersweet, tale of a man continuallyseeking his mother's approval for the life he's chosen, even as heenjoys the fruits of success. "American Triangle" is a damningportrait of America and its view of homosexuality, making numerousreferences to the murder of Matthew Shepard a few years back. Imean absolutely no disrespect by the following comment: A straightsinger could never accurately capture the venom of this song asJohn does, since it's so politically and religiously charged rightout of the gate. It's simply the most powerful song on this disc,and the best that John offers up.
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