This came out in 2000 — or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Elton, Elton, Elton. What in the hell has become of you?
OK, I understand you’re not getting any younger. And I hear maybe you need the money. But for cryin’ out loud, man, there’s got to be a better way than cranking out song after song and album after album of Broadway-style kiddie-tune drivel for anyone whose cheque clears. From this latest Tim Rice collaboration, it’s obvious you can still toss off winning melodies as easily as Stephen King pens best-sellers. And the rocky 16th Century Man (interestingly enough, a song that isn’t in the flick) shows you still remember when Saturday night was all right for fighting. But quite frankly, I bet even you can’t name the rest of these string-cheese ballads. Like your duet with Randy Newman (another velvet-handcuffed victim of cartoonland) says, It’s Tough To Be A God. But for all of us — if not for yourself — please wake up, call up Bernie Taupin and write some real songs again.
