Elton John's tip sheet

Interview, Sept, 2003

IS: What do you love about them?

EJ: They're just fun. They make the kind of groovy, hip-shaking music that the Rolling Stones used to make. I loved their first record [B.R.M.C., 2002] as well. I also really like Paloalto, a group from California that I've been raving about for a while now. Their record Heroes and Villains [American Recordings] came out this summer and was produced by Rick Rubin--he's worked with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, you name it. It's so melodic. I think they're a band to watch as well.

IS: Why do you think this is such an unbelievable time for rock music?

EJ: There's just so much choice--I can't remember a time in the recent past when there were a bunch of rock 'n' roll albums out by bands that were so good. It all started with the White Stripes' album Elephant [V2 Records], from earlier this year, but since then the floodgates seem to have opened. All the bands I mentioned make music that sounds the way rock 'n' roll is supposed to sound--up-tempo and joyous. Etta James' latest record, Let's Roll [Private Music], which came out this summer, exemplifies that spirit. It's just a great, bluesy rock 'n' roll album--you put it on and you want to smile.

Elton John's Tip Sheet appears regularly in Interview.