0297. Elton John
Madman Across The Water

Okay, so my first guess after reading the title is that this is either Elton's first album after his breakthrough in the U.S. or the one he aimed to break through with [fact check: of course this is wrong (even though it reached the top ten list)].
In short, Elton's got a good voice, he and lyricist Bernie Taupin knows how to write songs and he damn well can play the piano too.

The production's kinda impeccable, with string heavy arrangements exactly on the songs they should be (I particularly like the break on he title track).
The only semi-problem I got with this is that I don't really feel that the piano is such a great rock-instrument at all times. At least not in the lead. But I'll allow it.