21 At 33

Let the record state that by my count, I can't find an arrangement of albums that gives credence to the title of 21 At 33. In theory, this record was ...

21 At 33
Provided By:The Daily Vault

21 At 33
Elton John
MCA, 1980
REVIEW BY: Jeff Clutterbuck
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 04/19/2006
Let the record state that by my count, I can't findan arrangement of albums that gives credence to the title of 21At 33. In theory, this record was the 21st of John's career,when he was 33. However, the most I can find is 18 (maybe I'mmissing out on a few Greatest Hits). In the end, none ofthis really matters, as 21 At 33 is only a somewhatenjoyable record.
Despite the surge of punk and disco, Elton managed toweather the storm of popular music trends in the late 70s. Whilehis commercial clout had been greatly diminished for a variety ofreasons (his statement of bisexuality didn't help), he had fendedoff those musical beasts. By 1980 he was still standing and readyto start another decade. Of course, it would take him two years toactually deliver an outstanding album, but there were some goodmoments along the way.
21 At 33 marked a return to collaborationbetween Elton John and Bernie Taupin, for the first real time since1976 and Blue Moves. For the most part, their reunionyielded strong material. The opening track "Chasing The Crown" is arocker resembling earlier efforts such as "I Don't Care," but withmore energy. "White Lady White Powder" is a lightweight track,bolstered by the appearance of Don Henley and Glenn Frey of theEagles on background vocals. The subject material is where I find aproblem; obviously they're talking about cocaine, and in my view ittrivializes drug use far too much, especially considering Elton'sproficient drug use.
Luckily, the third collaboration between the tworesults in easily the best track off 21 At 33. "Two Rooms AtThe End Of The World" easily culminates in one of John's bestfusions of pop and disco, with the driving beat and tremendous useof horns. Elton rarely used horns to this effect, and it makes thetrack.

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