Comments for John, Elton, Made in England

It always takes me a few listens before I like a new Elton John album. The album starts out with one of his best ballads ever. "Believe" is a rock ballad mixed with haunting strings brings me back to "Madman..." The songs that move me the most are "Pain" although it could rock a little harder, "Cold" with great guitar work at the end reminiscent of "I've Seen That Movie Too", the waltz/folk beat of "Latitude" is a great song, the country tinged "Please" and the inspiring song "Blessed". The lyrics are somewhat more simplistic but without loosing the depth. I rate this album @12 or 13 out of 24 albums. I think it's better than "The Fox" and equal to "Too Low For Zero". He's definately going back to a more basic approach (a lot less synth). I rate this album 3 stars out of a possible 4.

It always takes me a few listens before I like a new Elton John album. The album starts out with one of his best ballads ever "Believe" a rock ballad mixed with haunting strings brings me back to the "Madman.." album. The songs that move me the most are "Pain" although it could rock a little harder, "Cold" with great guitar work at the end reminiscent of "I've Seen That Movie Too", the waltz/folk beat of "Latitude", the country tinged "Please" and the heartfelt "Blessed". I think the album is better than "The Fox" and equal to "2 Low 4 Zero". He's definately going back to more roots rock approach on this album (a lot less synth). I rate the album 3 stars out of a possible 4.

It always takes me a few listens before I like a new Elton John album. The album starts out with one of his best ballads ever "Believe" a rock ballad mixed with haunting strings brings me back to the "Madman.." album. The songs that move me the most are "Pain" although it could rock a little harder, "Cold" with great guitar work at the end reminiscent of "I've Seen That Movie Too", the waltz/folk beat of "Latitude", the country tinged "Please" and the heartfelt "Blessed". I think the album is better than "The Fox" and equal to "2 Low 4 Zero". He's definately going back to more roots rock approach on this album (a lot less synth). I rate the album 3 stars out of a possible 4.

I agree it's one of his best for years, although I don't think it's quite as good as Too Low For Zero. The lyrics are a bit of a let down, but the music is far superior to that of The One. Better production gives it a better clarity of sound than the last few albums. Lattitude, Blessed, House and Man are the best tracks, for my money.

The expectations raised by a Greg Penny produced EJ album were not dashed. This is undoubtedly one of Elton's most mature and refined albums to date. From the swirling strings of 'Believe' through the classic EJ rock of 'Pain' and the superb finale 'Blessed' - taking in along the way real growers like 'Made In England' (which I hated to start with) and the George Martin arranged 'Latitude'. I'm glad I gave it a few listens - it's grown on me. His best since 'Sleeping with the Past'

Made IN England is what I call his Beatles renaissance. The whole album has a Beatle-esque sound to it -- "House" is even about John Lennon and "Latitude" has Geoge Martin's production -- but manages to put Elton's musicianship back at the forefront. It's acoustic, yet powerful. Taupin's top-notch lyrics are paired with one of Elton's peak melody moments. That's an alignment that hasn't happened since probably "Blue Moves." One of Elton's best, by far.

This album way exceeded my expectations. I feared one that was predominantly propelled by drum machines and synthesizer work, but what I found was Elton at the piano with many of his old collaborators, rediscovering the sound that made him the legend that he is. My personal favorite track is "Belfast." Its haunting, unpredictable melody carries the sad, reflective lyrics of Taupin in a memorable way. I do not think that Taupin's lyrics are particularly strong on most tracks, but Elton comes through, singing them with more conviction than they even seem to deserve. The upbeat songs trade dancy party beats for more of a true rock sound. All this comes together to create a sound that is unmistakably British; even Elton's accent is more pronounced. Recorded in England and a return to Elton's roots, "Made in England" is aptly named and a pleasant surprise.

In a couple years I don't believe we will be hearing any airplay from Made In England. The whole album, although musically sound, tends to bore the listener. Very lame lyrics from the writer, Bernie Taupin. This album/cd is very disposable folks.

The quality of this album is what makes it so great. The writing is often profound, though stark and simple; the music is once again complex and lush; the production is top rate. In short, you have a CD that sounds absolutely beautiful. It's ture, these songs may not all find they ways onto your radio, but think about it -- isn't that true for all the reall really good songs you've ever heard? It doesn't get a whole lot better than this these days; Elton is a true musician. MIE shows you why.

Pain is his best song in at least a decade. It's right up there with Daniel, Border Song and Sacrifice. This is also his best album in a while too.

Despite the ravings for this album from those who have already posted, I'm afraid to say the Made in England is a dud. And this is not a comment from someone who is not familiar with Elton's music. I own everything the man has ever recorded. And even though my musical tastes have expanded over my 24 years (I'm CRAZY about punk), I still continue to buy whatever Elton puts out (even though he hasn't made a really solid album since Rock of the Westies...althoug Jump Up! and Too Low for Zero come close). The music is dull and yuppiesh. The lyrics sound like words taken from a self-help book. And the cover (to go back to the self-help reference) reminds me of Stuart Smalley. Really, I think it's great that Elton has gotten over his bulemia, drug, abuse, alcohol abuse, depression, and dysfunctional love relationships. I'm just not sure if I want to hear him sing about them!

Well, as I know almost eyery CD from Elton, I think that Made In England is one of his better ones. Especially I like Belfast. It is one of the best ballades written by Bernie and Elton. If they go on like that, everyone can be looking forward to the next EJ-album. I hope it will come out soon!!

I BELIEVE ELTON IS MY MASTER, MY GOD AND MY LIFE.

I had just started to be an Elton John fan when this album came out. Some of the songs (such as Please) could have been a lot better. It's just a sign that Elton is getting older and Bernie Taupin is getting older. I still think that Elton has a lot to offer. A few other people said that this was his first good album in 10 years, but I thought that "Sleeping with the past" was pretty good. Though you guys are right about "The One" it only had a few good songs on it. On this album I think that "Belfast" is the best song because for once it's not putting down the fact that Ireland and Northern Ireland are at war.

To liffengren@agames.com: Are you some kind of stutterer? I heard you once, goddamnit!!!........Also, to FranZooey@aol.com: Elton had just started to do drugs when he was recording "Rock Of the Westies". To say he hasn't done his best work since that album would imply that he should go BACK to using drugs! Jesus!

TO SMOKEYJOE@FAGGOTS.COM - GET OFF THIS PAGE OR ELSE!! THIS ALBUM IS OK BUT THAT''S ABOUT ALL. BELFAST IS BORING AND OVERBLOWN. SO IS LIES. "MAN" RULES!!!!!!!!!!

I wanted all EJ fans out there to know that this is one ofhis greatest efforts to date!!

Not quite up to the vintage era 1970 to 1972 (Elton John album ,Tumbleweed Connection & Madman Across the Water) but damn close. Good to see Paul Buckmaster back in the fold and Ray Cooper on percussion. Believe is a powerful ballard with a strong string arrangment.