Elton John

The Big Picture

Weak Effort

Review Score: StarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar (4/10)
Maybe, as another reviewer noted, Elton was going through a difficult time when recording this album. Or maybe he'd been devoting the majority of his time working on songs for Aida and El Dorado (both projects, according to EJ, were five years in the making). Whatever the case, this John/Taupin effort is awfully lukewarm. I wasn't particularly fond of Made in England (sappy self-help songs), but at least that record sounded like EJ put effort into it. The Big Picture however has the feel of product--the perfunctory Elton/Bernie release to keep their giant wheel turning. It's also not a good sign when the only bonafide hit off this thing, Something About The Way You Look Tonight, is a weak single. Like Healing Hands or You Gotta Love Someone, Something is soft-rock, adult-comtemporary complacency. The song does have wonderful, soulful verses, but the chorus is dull and cliched. The two best songs on this CD are Long Way From Happiness and Recover Your Soul, but neither are classic EJ cuts. Long Way is especially burdened (as is the whole album) with drum machines and grandiose electric keyboards. Gosh, how wonderful this song would have been if Elton had recorded it entirely with his piano.

In fairness, though, the production is top-notch and Elton's singing does sound strong. Now middle-aged, it seems Elton's songwriting skills have dropped but his sense of how to use his voice have improved. Nevertheless, I'd recommend passing this album by (or, at worst, purchasing it VERY cheap online). Oddly, I recommend The Road to El Dorado, a soundtrack that features EJ's best work since the early 80's

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The Big Picture

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Reviews: 37
Rating: 8.43

Random Review: StarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar (8/10)

An older and wiser Elton John

I guess Elton at this stage in his life looks at the world with both happy and sad feelings. The music in this album tends to sugget it. O [ ... read complete review ]