Elton John - "Rock of the Westies" (1975)

Embarrassing cover photography aside, Elton John was still on the tail end of his prime in 1975. Rock of the Westies is something of a throwaway record, and for the most part, it lacks the epic balladry that he is most known for (exception being the pretty good "I Feel Like a Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford)"). But that said, his songwriting skills hadn't yet slipped, so although this album has no grander ambitions than to be a collection of mildly enjoyable rock songs, it succeeds in that regard. There is more of an emphasis on guitars than piano, and although it's hardly a hard rock album, this record is ample proof that there was a time when Elton had some rock credentials. I considered a lower rating for all the pictures of the band members on the album sleeve with their long hair and bare chests, but I had to be honest with myself and admit that I too would totally have gone for that look in the mid-70s.