Original Sin

The critical accolades at last pay off on a commercial level for Elton John's Songs From the West Coast with the album's third single, "Original Sin," which restores the legendary singer/ songwriter to the melodic forefront that was perhaps hiding behind the credibility factor in the previous "I Want Love" and "This Train Don't Stop Here Anymore," neither of which garnished the top of the AC chart. This latest release, however, restores faith in El's ability to match a beautiful lyric and indelible melody with the production required to lift his songs to the same passionate level lent to such modern classics as "The One" and "Sacrifice." "Sin" has the depth to go where the previous two did not, saturating home base at AC—and it also has the goods to cross the road to top 40, which needn't forget its old friend just because he doesn't throw in a rap with the chorus. This is a true return to glory for Elton.—CT