Customer Reviews

Too Low for Zero

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

 

 

When I think back to 1983, the music from this album just comes to mind. An album that I played to death and is easily his best work in the 80's. After that he was unable to recapture the magic, in my opinion. 'Cold as Xmas' is one of the most beautiful ballads ever written, but as we all know, Elton was always good at putting a ballad together. The album features some outstanding album tracks including 'Saint' and 'Crystal'. The singles from this album are many including 'Im Still Standing' and 'Kiss the Bride'. The album's greatest highlight is the title track which sends shivers up my spine. This album could be considered a greatest hits package in it's own right, and is worth considering if you want just one of his albums. If you want two, let me suggest the brilliant 'Don't Shoot Me I'm...'

This is the sound of an artist revitalising his own career after a relatively bleak period of mediocre albums. This an extremely confident collection of uptempo songs which holds a special place in my heart as I grew up listening to this stuff on the radio when it first came out. Tracks like "Kiss The Bride", "I'm Still Standing", "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" are perennial favourites and stand up well to his classic songs of the 1970's. Elton bounced back into the limelight with this album, with Bernie Taupin back by his side to provide some great lyrics. 'Too Low For Zero' is simply an enjoyable collection of radio-friendly tunes with beautiful melodies and great performances from many members of his original band. This 'comeback' album shows a return to form, and a good one at that. I don't think Reggie has had as good a record as this since, and 'Too Low' stands the test of time, proving what a talented and respected musician like E.J. can produce if he puts his heart and soul into the music and gives it to us bountifully. This is a good companion piece to Billy Joel's "An Innocent Man" from the same year (though I personally prefer 'Too Low'.)

I have been an Elton fan from the very beginning, but this is my favorite! If you're looking for that perfect addition to your EJ collection, look no further.

WHEN I FIRST HEARD 2 LOW 4 ZERO,I WAS 15,DAYDREAMER BOY,AND I WAS BEFORE A MAJOR CHANGE IN MY LIFE.GOING TO A NAVY COLLEGE,FAR AWAY FROM MY HOME.THIS ALBUM,REALY TOUCHED ME DEEPLY,ESPECIALLY "I GUESS THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT THE BLUES".THIS SONG IS SO EXCITING,AND IT MADE ME SHIVER,AND HELPED ME THROUGH MY DAYS ON THE NAVY COLLEGE.SO POWERFUL IT WAS.BEAUTIFUL ALBUM,THAT REALY MAKES A DIFFERENCE.ELTON AT HIS BEST.

This 1983 album is definitely one of Elton John's best albums and flows together beautifully.
The melancholy ballad Cold As Christmas (In The Middle Of The Year), the melodic I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues , the inspiring Religion , the upbeat I'm Still Standing and Kiss The Bride , the fast-paced Wipping Boy and the soulful Saint all add up to make this one of the greats of the mid 1980's.

Buying this CD again because the one I had became damaged. I wore it out after my divorce, it got me through it. Being a piano player myself, (Not in Elton's league though), I love Elton's music. What really gets me into this album though is the song "Too Low For Zero". This is a song that sets the pace for alot of my workouts at the gym and running. Recomended for those who work out and want an excellent pace.

With 1983's highly successful 'Too low for zero' Elton was claimed to have had a come-back. It was probably a relief the one time hazily drawn teen idol had stopped trying to burn up the dance floor in a disco gaze of 'please buy my records' desperation. Well, it was a relief for those allergic to genre anarchy.

For all the hype, 'Too low for zero' is often shallow 80's pop that purveys foppish sentiment. Not that this is a bad thing for Elton John. But it doesn't rock like either 'Jump Up' or 'Breaking Hearts', and is slightly less memorable than both.

However, you can't pass over the strength of the better tracks, such as the warm country power ballad 'I guess that's why they call it the blues' (which may win Guinness world book of records feat for "longest title of song to become a big hit") and the icy yet heart-wrenching 'One more arrow'. Only the distasteful 'Whipping Boy' is a real dud. Rating **1/2 (2.5)

Many songwriters have a moment that defines them as an artist; the moment, in fact, that the songwriter becomes an artist and not merely an entertainer. Listen to this album sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas before your holiday plans are finalized. The songs will haunt you the rest of your life - it will be a definite moment in your life.

This was the first album I ever bought. I still have it after all these years. For me buying this album was an historic moment... and I felt that at the time. Because since, all I've been doing is buying music 17 years later. The impressions this album leaves on a 10 year old are full on to say the least. I especially loved I Guess that's Why They Call It The Blues, the track I bought the record for. This track is radiating a lot of LOVE. It is ideal for lovers falling in love for the first time. I strongly recommend 2\/4 0

This release speaks for itself. Two of the best tracks on this cd were never released as singles. "Cold as Christmas" and "Religion". This recording, in my eyes, ended the last real effort for Elton in the studio. Seems as though everything after "Too Low For Zero" was fluff. Elton is still one of the best artist and concerts to see, but what would be nice would be a tour of small venues where he only played the "B-side" material. There is a lot of good stuff there. Keep rockin' Reg!!!