Honky Chateau, Elton John, 1972, :48
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This is another album that I actually have heard and even own but that deserves a solid listen front to back a couple times in a row. The bloated and somewhat ridiculous (but of course damned catchy) "Rocket Man" dominates, so I tend to miss stuff like the absolutely gorgeous "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters," and the rocking "Honky Cat." But what of the hidden gems that aren't classic rock staples? Favorite tracks in addition to the hits: "Susie (Dramas)" hits hard, "Salvation" is beautiful, and the funky blues "Amy" would have gotten a lot more attention were it not on an entire album of brilliant, bewildering, rocking songs. This might be John's best album.
