Customer Reviews

Fox

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In 1981, when new wave and punk were the movement of the day, Elton John released his first album for Geffen Records, "The Fox". Having all of Elton's Cd's (including some out of print material), "The Fox" remains one of my very favorites in his catalog. Not a "party" album (think "Rock Of The Westies"), but a very stately, majestic album.

I was 21 when this album was first released (I'm showing my age), and I was blown away by the first single, "Nobody Wins". It was a magnificent, soaring piece of electronic-pop that was sweeping and dramatic. It sounded like the title track to a James Bond film. It was also released in Europe, with EJ singing the vocals in French, under the name of "J'Veux De La Tendresse".

The highlight of the album, is the majestic instrumental "Carla/Etude", which is just his piano with the London Symphony Orchestra (you can find a "live" version of this track on his "To Be Continued" box set). It is just beautiful. And as a second single, "Chloe" is just breathtaking.

Other highlights include "Breaking Down Barriers", with sweeping piano maneuvers; "Just Like Belgium", which is an ode to travel and adventure; and "Elton's Song", which touches on the uncomfortableness a young gay man feels while noticing a friend and developing feelings.

The one drawback to the remastering is that they did NOT include any bonus tracks (as they have with many of his other releases). They blew it here, because they could have included "Fools In Fashion" (B-side to "Nobody Wins"), "J'Veux De La Tendresse" ("Nobody Wins" performed in French) and even the promo-only club mix of "Nobody Wins"...which is extremely rare.

But in the final analysis, the remastering is superb and breathes new life into one of Elton John's most under-rated and under-appreciated albums of his long, wonderful career.

This CD, originally released in 1981, is easily one of my favorites of all time. And this comes from an Elton John fan who never wavered during the 1980s when others did. This underrated and ambitious CD is a rewarding listening experience. The hit single, "Nobody Wins," a treatise of divorce, is a standout that begs to be noticed. Other winning gems include the hard-rocking "Fascist Faces," up-tempo songs with undeniable hooks (such as "Breaking Down Barriers" and "Just Like Belgium"), haunting ballads (such as "Chloe"), and the mesmerizing instrumental, "Carla/Etude/Fanfare." The latter arrangement is alone worth the purchase price.

With The Fox, Elton John succeeds with his ambitious juxtaposition of hard-rockers and sweet ballads. Despite the list of impressive highlights already mentioned, the song that moves me most, the one I will always remember, the one that always elicits an emotional response from me is "Elton's Song," a paen to unrequited love. This subject has often been explored in pop music, but Elton's treatment here with his lone release to include his name is exceptional. I highly recommend this CD; you'll tap your feet and dab at your eyes. Prepare to be entertained and moved!

This collection from 1981 has nearly gone unnoticed, probably due to the lack of input from Bernie Taupin. It is filled with great uptempo, complex arrangments like, "Breaking Down Barriers" and"Fascist Faces". "Just Like Belgium" is one of Elton's most upbeat romantic songs since the mid-seventies and "Carla/Etude/Fanfare" (which runs into) "Chloe" is a testament to Elton John's creativity. However, the best song on the album and the only single, "Nobody Wins" beats out the rest for arrangment, lyrics and heartfelt tearjerking. Amazingly, this single is omitted from all collections. I wish someone would explain this mystery to me.

Great album that generated disappointing sales and reviews,yet a gem where Ej teamed up with Taupin,Tom Robinson & Gary Osborne among others.The result still resonates in beautiful CHLOE,brave ballad ELTON's SONG,former French hit NOBODY WINS ,up tempo yet mellodic JUST LIKE BELGIUM and the Bernie penned autobiographical title track.

My opinion is a bit different from other reviewers. I think this remastering job sounds different, but not necessarily better. The remastered album has a somewhat LOUDER sound, but not necessarily BETTER I would say. Actually, during "Hearts In The Right Place" I noticed the hiss level pumping a bit more, and I wonder if a bit of digital clipping is going on.

As this album is imported, it differs from the classic album remasters. Those are actually remixed, with the balance of different instruments readjusted by original producer Gus Dudgeon. I don't see any note about remixing on this disc, and it does not sound remixed. The remastering is not by the same person/facility.

I really don't know which I prefer; I'll have to think about it. Look at the Marketplace listings and you'll see what I decided :-)

As for the album, it starts off with a bang. "Breaking Down The Barriers" is a great rocker I'd love to hear Elton play live. The song selection is odd, but for me somehow fits together, and I still listen to it lo these many years later.

A few years before Elton John's career was revived dramatically due to ample assistance from producers Chris Thomas and Gus Dudgeon, Elton was working with an assortment of other album producers as well as co-producing with long-time associate, recording - and concert - sound engineer Clive Franks. I regard "The Fox" as one of the best from this period, featuring elegant songs co-written with Bernie Taupin, Gary Osborne and Tom Robinson. It includes such memorable ballads as "Chloe", the title track "The Fox", and "Just Like Belgium", as well as the minor hit - a remake of a French hit - "Nobody Wins". Musically this album is significant too for being a partial studio reunion of Elton John with his original rhythm section comprised of bassist Dee Murray and drummer Nigel Olsson, who had officially rejoined his touring band in 1980. Artistically, I would rank "The Fox" as among Elton's best from the 1980s; this underappreciated, often overlooked, album of his shouldn't be ignored by his diehard fans and others interested in his music.

"The Fox," Elton John's first album for Geffen Records, went largely unnoticed in the spring of 1981. And that is a shame because the set is full of wonderful tunes. The first two tracks, "Breaking Down Barriers" and "Heart In the Right Place" are classic Elton; and the title track could just as easily fit in on 2001's "Songs From the West Coast" or 2006's "The Captain and the Kid" as on this release.

The first single, "Nobody Wins," tells the story of lost love backed by swirling synthesizers and a haunting piano hook. The track took off on radio upon release in 1981 and raced up the lower half of the Hot 100 singles chart before stalling quickly at a disappointing number 21. "Chloe," is a wonderful ballad, yet only managed to make it to number 34 on the chart.

"Fascist Faces" has found its way back into my rotating music library. With the Republicans in control of the American government during 6 of the last 7 years, the song takes on new meaning.

"Heels of the Wind" is an uplifting precursor to "I'm Still Standing" yet stands on its own merits. Had it been released as a single, it probably would have done well.

Finally, no review of "The Fox" would be complete without a mention of the superb "Elton's Song." A heart-wrenching ballad of a school boy-on-boy crush. Sir Elton's vocals cut deep. And the writing shows early indications of songs he would later write for movies and stage.

The next time a retrospective of Elton's music is released, the producers would do well to include a track or two from "The Fox." This is a wonderful album and I urge you to give it a listen.

The Fox is Elton Johns best overall album. Not his biggest (only peaked at #21 in sales in the summer of 1981) but clearly his best. The two hits NOBODY WINS #21 and CHLOE #34 are better than their Billboard chart peak would suggest.

This is by far one of Elton John's most heartfelt albums. It is one of my favorites!

THE FOX from 1981' is probably one of the most underated(good albums) of ELTON'S entire catologue.CHLOE being one of the best songs of ELTON'S career.