Jump Up! (1982)
Jump Up! notes a much larger rise in quality from his last handful of records. It’s still not perfect by any means, but Elton seems to be better at figuring out who he is during this time instead of trying to be what he isn’t. We see growth, exploration and enjoyment from Elton on this record.
Dear John kicks things off with infectious 80s pop-rock energy, setting the tone with singable vibes and brightness, making it a strong album opener. Spiteful Child delves deeper into the 80s pop/rock style, showcasing crisp musicianship and catchy synthesizer riffs, all while Elton's evolving and deepening vocals take center stage. Ball & Chain maintains catchiness but lands in the middle of the road for Elton, not standing out among the stronger tracks on the album. But by no means is it a flop.
Legal Boys aims for a big dramatic feel, but falls slightly short of the mark. It holds onto its foot-tapping qualities and it is totally listenable, but you’re left wanting more out of it. I Am Your Robot faces tough criticism online, but I appreciates its unique and fun qualities. Is the robot iconography a bit cliche for the 80s? Sure it is, but this is an 80s album, so who cares? The song is spacey, gritty, and unique to anything Elton’s done before. Elton really flexes his vocal prowess on this track too.
Blue Eyes offers much more of a down-tempo, jazz lounge feeling. With deep and rich vocals, this song feels as if it were an Elvis Presley song that Elton rearranged and spun to his style. Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny) stands out as a poignant tribute to John Lennon, a fantastic piece within the album, both musically and lyrically. Stylistically this song absolutely could fit on Captain Fantastic. It is strong and emotive on all ends of the spectrum and I believe it goes down as one of Elton’s most essential tracks of the 80s, if not his career.
Princess captures beautiful chord progressions and a stellar vocal performance. It creates a hopeful and romantic atmosphere, and is a potential wedding must have for myself. If my future wife is reading this, get ready to hear this one at our reception.
Where Have All The Good Times Gone carries residual disco pop energy from Elton’s late 70s transitional phase. It is just as strong as any of the disco pop from 21 at 33 and The Fox. All Quiet On The Western Front is an unconventional Christmas song. An anti-war WWI Christmas track that Elton once jokingly dubbed “the worst selling single in Phonograms history”. It may fall slightly below the mark musically, but lyrically it is as strong as any historical song Elton and Bernie have written together.
In the symphony of Jump Up! Elton John's musical journey continues to ride the roller coaster of quality with catchy melodies, evolving vocals, and emotional depth. From the vibrant energy of Dear John to the heartfelt tribute in Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny), this record encapsulates Elton's 80s fine tuning and tees him up for something real strong.
———————————————————
Highlight Songs:
Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)
Princess
Dear John
Spiteful Child
———————————————————
Own It, Stream it, Forget about it
I firmly believe this is Elton’s strongest record since Rock Of The Westies. It is not quite a No Skip Album, but it is universally much easier to get through than anything since A Single Man. I say own it. Stream it until you find a copy and then give it sweet, sweet kisses.
———————————————————
Overall Rating:
4 Stars
