10 Amazing Albums Turning 50 In 2022
8. Elton John - Honky Chateau
Few artists can have started their careers as brightly as Elton John, who for a while seemed to be getting better with every album. His early ‘70s were amazingly prolific, and while he’d put out more ambitious works the following year, there’s an argument to be made that Honky Chateau was his creative high point.
Somewhere between the balladeering of his early years and the prog-pop pomp to follow, this record boasts some of the best sounding songs he’d ever put out. Most notable is "Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)", which has become his signature hit in recent years. No lazy remixes can taint its majestic synths and impassioned falsetto.
"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" is another great highlight, with collaborator Bernie Taupin’s abilities with character songs pushed to the fore. John goes full funk pastiche on opener “Honky Cat”, one of the few major artists with enough humour to actually pull this off.
Honky Chateau is a little overshadowed by the bigger Elton John records of the era, but its focus and craft is right up there with his best.