Search - Elton John :: Made in England

One Of Elton's Most Consistently Impressive Latter Day Effor

Anthony Nasti | Staten Island, New York United States | 01/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After revitalizing his career as well his personal life with 1992's "The One," Elton John wasted no time capitalizing on his comeback. He launched a massive, lengthy world tour, and scored the hugely successful "The Lion King," which garnered him an Oscar. By 1995, Elton was once again able to prove that he was, still standing.



His album release from that year, "Made In England," is further testament to his enduring staying power, as well as the ever enduring prowess of his lyricist, Bernie Taupin. After years of dabbling with electronic sounds, Elton finally returned to the more organic sounds of earlier albums such as "Elton John" and "Madman Across The Water." The result was a top to bottom succession of classic Elton, complete with stirring, beautifully complex melodies and Taupin's sincere, emotional, often humorous lyrical touches, anchored by fine musicianship anchored by longtime stalwarts such as Davey Johnstone on guitar and Paul Buckmaster handling string arrangements.



Kicking off with the stunning, Lennon-esque ode to love, "Believe," which is similar to "Imagine" in its simple yet powerful plea to unity and peace, yet elevates itself to a higher artistic plateu with Elton's dramatic, emotional vocal and Buckmaster's steady, soaring string arrangement.



This level of artistic excellency maintains itself throughout the rest of the album. Among the gems present on this album are another somber, brooding Lennon tribute, "House" (similar to Lennon's "God" in its sparse arrangement and steady lyric pattern), the sad yet hopeful ode to a war torn, shimmering city of emerald in "Belfast," which features some of Buckmaster's best string work since his early 1970s' work with EJ, and two rockers, the autobiographical title track and the witty, Rolling Stones-ish "Pain," whose title and lyrics juxtapose with its in your face, guitar driven melody, further proof Elton's gift for irony in music. "Man," while tepid on paper, is driven by Elton's gutsy, passionate vocal, while "Cold" and "Lies" are, much like "Believe," simplistic but powerful.



Best of all, perhaps, is its mystical closer "Blessed." Containing snatches reminsicent of "Your Song" and other, earlier classics, "Blessed" is a look towards the future, as Elton and Bernie express their desire to have children and continue to explore new territories, both in music and in life.



"Made In England" is a masterful latter day effort from EJ, and one that ranks up there with some of his all time best work."