So much is said about Elton John's celebrity status and lifestyle in both the gay and straight media these days that it's been years since his music has got a look-in, which is a definite shame. He's just as thoughtful an artist as he was back in his groundbreaking early albums of the 70s, particularly on his last collection Songs From The West Coast, and his latest – the self-produced Peachtree Road. There's a definite country feel present on Peachtree Road, as with the last album, but there's some gospel flavours as well. The overall mood is reflective – this is a record for late summer evenings. You won't find any Bitch is Back or Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting-style tracks on this one. Elton's voice has become deeper and richer as he has aged, and this more mature sound fuses well with the stripped-back production style that was established on Songs and continues here. Piano and vocals are right up front, and the rhythm section is fat and warm. He has put the lush productions and pristine reverbs of his 80s and 90s albums behind him. Peachtree Road opens with sound of rainfall on a dry porch roof before the opener Weight of the World, a sweet but melancholy slice of life about growing older and surviving through life's fickleness. Never one to be satisfied with his career milestones, this song suggests Elton has found happiness and is content to look back over his achievements with fondness, and it's a mood that pervades most of the album. If anything is disappointing about Peachtree Road, it's that perhaps Elton is coasting a little bit too much. He regained ground with critics on Songs For The West Coast, which was seen as a return to the classic storytelling albums of the 70s. It covered lost loves, growing up, dark diamonds, AIDS, and the Matthew Shepherd murder. Peachtree Road seems a little too preoccupied with giving thanks and being nice – while Songs was an album for a late-night whisky, Peachtree Road seems better accompanied with a glass of Bailey's... or god forbid, a cup of tea. Having said that, there are wonderful moments. Besides Weight Of The World, Turn The Lights Out When You Leave is a classic cynical country swinger about the end of a relationship, They Call Her The Cat is cheeky, funky and upbeat, and album closer I Can't Keep This From You is raw in delivery, but sweet in its almost-teenage sentiment of love's first confession. Strangely, Bernie Taupin's lyrics are not provided in the sleeve. It's Taupin's storytelling ability and unique turn of phrase coupled with Elton's distinctive melodies and sound that has always been the bedrock of the whole package, so it's disappointing not to have the words on hand, which is the first time this has occurred in this fan's memory. If I had to choose between them, I'd definitely pick Songs For The West Coast over Peachtree Road. There seem to be few obvious singles on this new record, but like Songs it has the potential to grow on you. Probably one more for the fans than the casual listener. Chris Banks - 24th November 2004