Of course, the most crucial component for Elton’s albums isn’t the sound, but the songs. Even with the impressive roster of musicians and collaborators, “Songs from the West Coast” could only succeed if the material matched the pedigree of those playing it. From the opening strains of “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” it’s clear that everyone involved is firing on all cylinders: Taupin’s lyrics are clever, introspective and evocative, Elton’s melody is gorgeously layered, his voice is in fine shape, and Johnstone and Olsson’s harmonies are reminiscent of their soaring accompaniment on songs such as “Someone Saved My Life Tonight.”
The rest of the record delivers admirably on its promise; the songs all range from good to outstanding, with even the weakest tracks having something enjoyable to offer, whether it be a clever or moving lyrical passage, a catchy melodic hook, or a robust vocal from Elton’s now fully ripened baritone. The best songs are the reflective ballads, such as the cinematic, elegant “Original Sin,” the Lennon esque confessional “I Want Love,” the nostalgic “Mansfield,” and the surprisingly cynical closer “This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore.” Lyrically and melodically, these are all first rate songs that hold their own against previous John-Taupin peaks. There are also two tracks inspired by current events, “American Triangle” and “The Ballad of the Boy in the Red Shoes.” “Ballad” is a quietly angry damnation sung from the perspective of a AIDS victim who suffered at the hand of Ronald Reagan’s ignorance, while “Triangle” is an absolutely chilling account of the murder of homosexual teen Matthew Shepherd, a critical moment in the fight for gay rights and the acknowledgement of hate crimes within the gay community. Both songs are successful, particularly for Taupin, whose lyrics handle the songs’ delicate subject matter with grace, empathy, and tastefulness.
With its excellent material and outstanding production, “Songs from the West Coast” is one of the watershed moments in the last 25 years of Sir Elton’s career, and can easily hang with his best records of the 1970s’. While his subsequent records have been very solid, none have the sense of purpose or consistent quality that “Songs” has from start to finish.
Tracklist for Songs from the West Coast:
1 The Emperor's New Clothes 4:28
2 Dark Diamond 4:27
3 Look Ma No Hands 4:22
4 American Triangle 4:49
5 Original Sin 4:49
6 Birds 3:52
7 I Want Love 4:35
8 The Wasteland 4:21
9 Ballad of the Boy in the Red Shoes 4:52
10 Love Her Like Me 3:58
11 Mansfield 4:56
12 This Train Don't Stop There Anymore 4:39
The rest of the record delivers admirably on its promise; the songs all range from good to outstanding, with even the weakest tracks having something enjoyable to offer, whether it be a clever or moving lyrical passage, a catchy melodic hook, or a robust vocal from Elton’s now fully ripened baritone. The best songs are the reflective ballads, such as the cinematic, elegant “Original Sin,” the Lennon esque confessional “I Want Love,” the nostalgic “Mansfield,” and the surprisingly cynical closer “This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore.” Lyrically and melodically, these are all first rate songs that hold their own against previous John-Taupin peaks. There are also two tracks inspired by current events, “American Triangle” and “The Ballad of the Boy in the Red Shoes.” “Ballad” is a quietly angry damnation sung from the perspective of a AIDS victim who suffered at the hand of Ronald Reagan’s ignorance, while “Triangle” is an absolutely chilling account of the murder of homosexual teen Matthew Shepherd, a critical moment in the fight for gay rights and the acknowledgement of hate crimes within the gay community. Both songs are successful, particularly for Taupin, whose lyrics handle the songs’ delicate subject matter with grace, empathy, and tastefulness.
With its excellent material and outstanding production, “Songs from the West Coast” is one of the watershed moments in the last 25 years of Sir Elton’s career, and can easily hang with his best records of the 1970s’. While his subsequent records have been very solid, none have the sense of purpose or consistent quality that “Songs” has from start to finish.
Tracklist for Songs from the West Coast:
1 The Emperor's New Clothes 4:28
2 Dark Diamond 4:27
3 Look Ma No Hands 4:22
4 American Triangle 4:49
5 Original Sin 4:49
6 Birds 3:52
7 I Want Love 4:35
8 The Wasteland 4:21
9 Ballad of the Boy in the Red Shoes 4:52
10 Love Her Like Me 3:58
11 Mansfield 4:56
12 This Train Don't Stop There Anymore 4:39