1975's top-selling album, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy has all the markings of an album I should have really enjoyed, but most of it washed over me without leaving much of an impact. Since I try to go into new listens, readings, or viewings blind if at all possible, it wasn't until after listening to it that I learned it's so near and dear to both John's and Taupin's hearts as an autobiographical concept album.
I have one theory as to why it didn't click for me on first listen: the only big thing that I knew about it going in was that it featured Someone Saved My Life Tonight, which happens to be my favourite song from the duo. With that highest possible watermark, it's fair to say that I was expecting an awful lot from the rest of the record. While I didn't expect or even want an entire album of variations on "Someone", the fact is that I was essentially waiting for that song to arrive and then listening dutifully after it was over. The rest of the songs were just there to support the main event.
All of this means that I'll have to return to the album later and see if I have a different experience the next time around.
On the other hand, here's the Juno-award winning BTO, fresh after winning the same award for top album of the year in 1974, with Four Wheel Drive.
Here's where expectations, or lack thereof, can be a blessing. What did I expect from this album? Some cool riffs and some fun rock songs; nothing autobiographical and nothing pushing artistic boundaries. What did I get? Exactly all of that. I had a much more enjoyable listen of this album - but would I necessarily categorize it as a better album than Captain Fantastic? That doesn't seem quite right.
All I know is that She's a Devil is an out-there ride of a rock song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSNauSqKvnI
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