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Review
Too Low for Zero marks the reunion of Elton John with lyricist Bernie Taupin after a seven-year period of working with various other writers, and sees John’s music advance to the breezy, stately tunes that characterise his later period. The change is thematic too, so he deals with ‘the biggies’ of religion and complicated relationships rather than the rather more intense character-led works of previous records. In truth, this yields some mixed results in terms of how relatable the songs are to anyone raised remembering when rock was young, but the whole is a rewarding, sometimes remarkable work.
He begins with one of those more personal works, though. Cold as Christmas (In the Middle of the Year) is a terribly sad portrait of marital decay, told through relayed phone calls and accompanied by John’s piano at its gloopiest – basically, it’s textbook stuff. Those bigger ideas begin to seep through as we reach the middle of the record – Religion may be told from a singular perspective, but it’s a lofty attempt to show inconsistencies in one of pop’s more difficult areas to traverse. A rollicking stomp it may be, but it probably takes longer than the song's four minutes to unpick the issue (though John made his feelings clear in a 2006 interview when he suggested religion be banned altogether).
Most notably, this often-belting record spawned two of Elton John’s biggest and best singles, I’m Still Standing and I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues. The first of those forms an umbrella for the album’s themes: Elton’s back, and stronger than ever (at least in intent). Indeed, the rockers on this record are among his very best – the Bowie-esque friskiness of Crystal and the double-whammy of Kiss the Bride and Whipping Boy are all exemplary, unfussy workouts. I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues forms another main thematic device, of epic relationship worries, but is by far the strongest example thanks to its casual sense of regret, of a genuine ache to be with his lover.
Falsetto on the concluding One More Arrow shows John portraying vulnerability with affecting ease, and brings to a close a fine record – exactly when he needed one. He may have released better works overall in the 70s, but with Taupin back on board Too Low for Zero is still a winner. Thoroughly entertaining throughout, and the return to form Elton John required.
--Daniel RossFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Not only is 'Too Low For Zero' an excellent Elton John album, it is also one of the Lp's that remind you so much of the 80's. Containing the seminal 80's single 'I'm Still Standing', the rocky, rousing and fun 'Kiss The Bride', and two typical Elton John songs 'Cold As Christmas (In The Middle Of The Year)' and ' I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues' it contains plenty of hits. Just this fact alone is enough to make you dream back to those heady days of the 80's when the singles chart meant something and a hit was a hit because it sold records not downloads...
But, it is not just for nostalgic reasons that this album scores a perfect 5 stars. ALL of the songs on the original album are winners and there is plenty of variety. The title track and 'Crystal' have a synthy feel to them and are rather experimental, while 'Saint' is a nice romantic song (and could have been a single on a lesser record). 'One More Arrow' is a very sad song (something that Sir Elton has always excelled in) and all strings and violins and 'Whipping Boy' is a rocky fun song in the vein of 'Kiss The Bride'.
This remastered re-issue has other factors that add to the thrill however! There is another of John Tobler's insightful essays contained in the booklet, the re-mastered sound is great AND the cd has been intelligently put together so the 'extra tracks' have been put onto the disc after a suitable gap from the end of the original album set. This is important because (getting all nostalgic again) 'Too Low For Zero' comes from an era when the was a definite art to making an album. Tracks were not just 'squeezed' onto a cd to fill up 70 odd minutes, each song was carefully placed to create the perfect listen.
Finally, the extra tracks are a joy in themselves! 'Earn While You Learn' may well have been something that Elton and his band made up as a jamming session in the studio, but it is the kind of bluesy, rocking and rolling instrumental that you can imagine 'our Reg' enjoyed playing in his 'Bluesology days'. 'Dreamboat' meanwhile is one of those tracks that really should have been more than just a b side but, you can also see why it ended up as such. To different from anything else on the main album to fit in, and with lyrics not by Bernie, its fate was sealed but it is a great song and one that will now get a lot more plays because of its inclusion here. Lastly, 'The Retreat' is a classic Elton story song and, though from a slightly earlier period, it makes for a suitable finale to a great 63 or so minutes listen. ESSENTIAL for all Elton and 80's fans.
But, it is not just for nostalgic reasons that this album scores a perfect 5 stars. ALL of the songs on the original album are winners and there is plenty of variety. The title track and 'Crystal' have a synthy feel to them and are rather experimental, while 'Saint' is a nice romantic song (and could have been a single on a lesser record). 'One More Arrow' is a very sad song (something that Sir Elton has always excelled in) and all strings and violins and 'Whipping Boy' is a rocky fun song in the vein of 'Kiss The Bride'.
This remastered re-issue has other factors that add to the thrill however! There is another of John Tobler's insightful essays contained in the booklet, the re-mastered sound is great AND the cd has been intelligently put together so the 'extra tracks' have been put onto the disc after a suitable gap from the end of the original album set. This is important because (getting all nostalgic again) 'Too Low For Zero' comes from an era when the was a definite art to making an album. Tracks were not just 'squeezed' onto a cd to fill up 70 odd minutes, each song was carefully placed to create the perfect listen.
Finally, the extra tracks are a joy in themselves! 'Earn While You Learn' may well have been something that Elton and his band made up as a jamming session in the studio, but it is the kind of bluesy, rocking and rolling instrumental that you can imagine 'our Reg' enjoyed playing in his 'Bluesology days'. 'Dreamboat' meanwhile is one of those tracks that really should have been more than just a b side but, you can also see why it ended up as such. To different from anything else on the main album to fit in, and with lyrics not by Bernie, its fate was sealed but it is a great song and one that will now get a lot more plays because of its inclusion here. Lastly, 'The Retreat' is a classic Elton story song and, though from a slightly earlier period, it makes for a suitable finale to a great 63 or so minutes listen. ESSENTIAL for all Elton and 80's fans.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having lost this album after a number of house moves (I have always suspected 'the ex' had procured my copy), I felt the need to hear this album again. Definitely money well spent! I truly think this is one of Elton's more ingenious pieces of work and very singable too! I was delighted to have this back in my collection at last and had forgotten how good it was. Maybe 'the ex' does have taste after all!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The last 3 tracks on this remaster are additional to the original 10 track 1983 release which ended with the very sad and emotional 'One More Arrow' which Elton sings mostly falsetto, and effectively so. The song appears to be about someone who died long before his time. There are some great songs on here, not least the singles 'I'm Still Standing' and 'I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues' along with the lovely but sad 'Cold As Christmas'. Try to catch up with 'Saint' if you can; it is a good listen. 'Whipping Boy' is weaker, but apart from that, the album stands up well and I think that that it is a good album in an era which is well-documented as not being his strongest. We had to wait until 2001 for something which would give us something as wonderful as his early 70's stuff.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Elton John Too Low For Zero
I have just taken delivery of my remastered copy of Too Low For Zero by the one & only Elton John, back in 1985 I came across this album on LP & I can truly say I played it to... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Gizmo
Stands the Test of Time
Great to hear this album again after so many years - it has a common theme throughout (coldness in a relationship) yet it's not at all depressing! Read more
Published 7 months ago by Anne Grant
Growing on us
There is a wide variety of music on this CD, some old, some new. Some of the tracks get some geting used to but overall it is typical Elton music and the CD as a whole is growing... Read more
Published 11 months ago by DANDV
Too Low For Zero - Elton John 1983
I first bought the single Kiss the Bride from this album in 1983 and later bought the whole album on vinyl. Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2010 by Mr. M. Sanders
THIS IS A TRUE CLASSIC
I have just purchased this CD and I truly forgot just how Wonderful it is and just how Talented Elton John is. Read more
Published on 1 Aug 2007 by M. E. Tomkinson
Reasonable Elton John Band reunion with some quality singles
On its release in 1983 'Too low for zero was' acclaimed at the best album Elton John had recorded in years. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2005
The album that rejuvenated his career
Ultimately, Elton will be remembered primarily for his string of hits in the seventies although he has continued to make great music ever since. Read more
Published on 10 Feb 2004 by Peter Durward Harris
Return to old days
this is one of those albums that i listened to as a youngster, and then 15 years later you hear a song at a certain moment and it takes you right back and you know straight away... Read more
Published on 22 Dec 2003 by "pomph"
A fantastic album containing eltons most proclaimed hit
Have you grown up hearing the tune of 'i'm still standing' repeatidly on the telly and radio but didn't know where the timeless hit came from? Well, this is it! Read more
Published on 1 Dec 2001
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