Side one of GYBR is top notch. I like Elton, can't say I'm a huge fan, but that side is prob one of the greatest on wax.
That said, there are some great tracks on it.
I think the definition of "truly great album" is a tricky one. If you're defining it as an album where every single song on it is incredible, I would probably have a hard time naming too many albums that fit in that status. I'm with @Russ I in that I think Elton has quite a few really great albums, but I'm biased because I grew up with my parents playing him all the time. Totally understand that he's not for everybody but his Greatest Hits album is probably a top 5 greatest hits album of all time. He has some absolutely incredible songs.
Madman, Honky, and Yellow Brick Road are the sweet spot for me. I was never able to get into Tumbleweed and Captain Fantastic though... Maybe time to give them another chance.
Those are the three I own on vinyl! My Elton entry point was the I'm Still Standing video that played on an endless loop on MTV in the mid 80's and then as I grew older I dug into his early catalog. Favorite songs are Levon, Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters, and Burn Down the Mission (aside the obvious hits) I've seen him a couple of times, most recently on his never ending farewell tour in 2019 but the highlight for me was taking my mom to see him co-headline a show with Billy Joel in the early 2000's.
Unfortunately you are not wrong.
It’s a shame too, I thought The Punisher was great but have only spun it twice on my turntable because it sounds terrible. I should probably just sell it but I would feel guilty selling it to someone for like $50 knowing that it was pressed so poorly.
I don't remember my Punisher sounded horrible. But I also haven't listened to it in a while.
Tumbleweed Connection, Madman, Honky Chateau, and Captain Fantastic are fantastic. For me, GYBR has some great songs but also it’s fair share of filler.
It sounds like someone spent no time in trying to make it sound great on vinyl. Mine wasn't terrible but also didn't sound overly dynamic and just wasn't mastered well.
Madman Across The Water and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road are my favorites but the others mentioned here are brilliant too. I also enjoy his early 80s comeback record Too Low For Zero.
When I heard Tumbleweed for the first time after I found it for a buck, I was floored. So many good tracks.
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters just kicks me in the gut every time, so beautiful and melancholy. Tiny Dancer was/is a really special song for me as well.
The mastering is terrible but mine also is super crackly (not great for a record with some many quiet moments) and get more distorted the further the needle tracks towards the spindle. The first time I listened I was amazed how bad it sounded but a little while later I thought I maybe it wasn’t a bad as I remembered but turns out It was just as bad as I had recalled unfortunately. Since I have just listened to the album digitally.
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I blame Crocodile Rock.
I mean I loved that song as a kid, but I really don’t care for Elton’s more “novelty” songs now (looking at you Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting and Bennie & The Jets).
“Bennie In the Jets” rips! I love everything about that track. The faux live cut the stuttered delivery of b-b-b-Bennie and the Jets. So good.
