I first fell in love with Elton John's music only last year. As I sat watching Almost Famous for the first time, the glorious sounds of "Tiny Dancer" filled my ears and I finally understood. Elton John was not just some washed up '70s star who did The Lion King, he was one of the best living pop-rock artists.

Songs From the West Coast, John's most recent collaboration with long-time lyricist partner Bernie Taupin, attempts to recapture the magical music they formerly made.

This time John and Taupin succeed.

The listener is immediately greeted by John's pulsating piano skills on the first track, "The Emperor's New Clothes." While lyrically too trite and not the best vocal showcase for John, the overall sound is reminiscent of the classic John style.

John looks further into the past by enlisting the help of organ great Billy Preston on several tracks as well as Stevie Wonder on the soul-tinged "Dark Diamond."

The often retro-inspired Rufus Wainwright appears on "American Triangle," which chronicles the murder of Matthew Shepard. Written for all the right reasons, it is, however, perhaps too chilling of an event to be captivated in this song.

Despite flaws on the album — most considerably that John's voice is not quite what it used to be — John comes closest to one of his previous masterpieces on "I Want Love." Lyrically raw and emotionally sung, it is the best work from both John and Taupin in decades.

"Ballad of the Boy in the Red Shoes" is a balance between the old and the new John. The story of an AIDS-stricken master ballet dancer, lyrically the tale fits with the powerful orchestrations. The match is the successful result of what John was attempting on "American Triangle."

While I missed John in his heyday, Songs From the West Coast is the next best thing as it captures the power of one of the greatest around.

— Reviewed by Meghan Day