Empty Sky was followed by
Elton John, a more focused and realized record that deservedly became his first hit.
John and
Bernie Taupin's songwriting had become more immediate and successful; in particular,
John's music had become sharper and more diverse, rescuing
Taupin's frequently nebulous lyrics. "Take Me to the Pilot" might not make much sense lyrically, but
John had the good sense to ground its willfully cryptic words with a catchy blues-based melody. Next to the increased sense of songcraft, the most noticeable change on
Elton John is the addition of
Paul Buckmaster's grandiose string arrangements.
Buckmaster's orchestrations are never subtle, but they never overwhelm the vocalist, nor do they make the songs schmaltzy. Instead, they fit the ambitions of
John and
Taupin, as the instant standard "Your Song" illustrates. Even with the strings and choirs that dominate the sound of the album,
John manages to rock out on a fair share of the record. Though there are a couple of underdeveloped songs,
Elton John remains one of his best records. [A 1996 CD reissue added the bonus tracks "Bad Side of the Moon," "Grey Seal," and "Rock n Roll Madonna."] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine