Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy
by Elton John

Have to give one of my revisionist rants here. Captain Fantastic is almost certainly Elton John's best album. I find it hard to believe so many people say Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is better. That album is half schlock. Also doesn't hold together at all. But Captain Fantastic is very consistent and holds together extremely well. The musical and lyrical narrative arc is brilliant from the opening acoustic guitar on the title track to the gorgeous harmonies fading out at the end of 'Curtains.' My only reservation is 'Writing,' sounds a little too easy-listening-muzak, but even it doesn't descend nearly as low as 'Jamaica Jerk-off' or something from Yellow Brick Road. I suppose people love Goodbye Yellow Brick Road for the heights of its highs, which are Elton's highest (Bennie and the Jets, Candle in the Wind), but qua album, it doesn't come close to Captain Fantastic. This is the Elton John album that took a while to grow on me. Go back and listen to it again!

I'm not much of an Elton John fan; too showy and pop style above substance for my taste. However, this is one of my personal favorites and an album I'll never get tired of listening to. It has lyrics that are delivered with real emotion and warmth in tracks like "Someone Saved my Life Tonight" and "We All Fall in Love Sometimes" but also has the lights in your eyes fun that reminds me of Bowie's best in tracks like "(Gotta Get a) Meal Ticket" and "Tell Me When the Whistle Blows". Not a weak track IMO and just a genuinely pleasurable album all around. There are only three albums by EJ that I admire and this is certainly the highlight of his career in my opinion.

Mayhaps I only think so highly of this album because of nostalgia. Regardless, I think this is Elton's best, im in love with that title track. But also nearly every other song is jammy and catchy too. yeah this all might just be nostalgic drivel. Oh well, it's all the same to me, I love it.

From Tamthebam TOP 100 COMMENTER 07/01/2017 16:35 | #193531 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

An autobiographical album telling the story of the early days of the Elton/Bernie partnership. The tracks cover their meeting (the title track), writing to order for other artists (Bitter Fingers) Elton's suicide attempt (Someone Saved My Life Tonight) and various other aspects of their respective experiences/partnership.

My rating is based on the original release, without the last three songs. Elton John's most consistent record, with many great songs other than "Someone Saved." "We All Fall" and "Babel" are especially lovely, and "Bitter Fingers" and "Meal Ticket" are terrific rockers.