Artist: Elton John Album: Reg Strikes Back

Year: 1988
Duration: 2:08:54

A Critical Look at Elton John's Reg Strikes Back Album

Elton John, the living legend, has been entertaining the world with his music for over five decades. From Rocket Man to Tiny Dancer, his soaring melodies and heartfelt lyrics have taken us on a journey through time. One of his most talked-about albums, Reg Strikes Back, was released in 1988. This album marked Elton's comeback after a series of unsuccessful records. Let's take a closer look at this album, delve into the history of Elton John, the music genre, the most innovative parts, best songs, and a fair critic.

Elton John has always been known for his versatility and vibrant music, however, Reg Strikes Back is a bit different. It is primarily a pop-rock album with elements of synth-pop and funk. This shift to a more modern sound is due in part to Elton's collaborations with new producers and aspiring songwriters. He invested a lot of time and effort into this album, and one can see the influence of 80s pop and dance music in the tracks.

The album starts with Town of Plenty, a song that sets the tone for the entire album. It's a fun and funky tune that showcases both Elton's amazing piano skills and his marvelous lyrics. From there, the album keeps the momentum going with A Word in Spanish, a catchy pop song with a Latin flair. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Part Two) is another song worth mentioning, mainly because of its poignant and personal story-telling.

One could argue that the best songs of the album, however, are I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That and I'm Still Standing. The former was a massive commercial hit and is still played on the radio very often for good reason. It's a great dance song and has a catchy hook with fantastic musicianship. I'm Still Standing is one of Elton John's most recognized songs and a tour-de-force of piano playing and high energy.

Elton John is no stranger to innovation, and Reg Strikes Back delivers. Throughout the album, you can hear some fantastic use of synths, drum machines, and various electronic beats. The saxophone solo in Goodbye Marlon Brando is an unforgettable moment of the album, where blues-rock meets pop sensibilities. However, it's also important to mention that some of the tracks on the album could come off as generic when compared to the other albums in Elton's vast discography.

Elton John's Reg Strikes Back is an album worth listening to, primarily because of its historical significance in his discography. The album marked the end of a gloomy era for Elton and showed that he still had some magic left in him. The fusion of different genres and production techniques showed his willingness to change with the times. While some of the songs may not stand the test of time as much as his other works, there's no denying the catchy nature and musicianship of the album. As with all things with art, it's subjective, but Reg Strikes Back should be an album that every Elton John fan should experience at least once.