Billy Joel - Piano Man (1973)

Now if I judged an album based on the cover, I would have flushed this one down the toilet, but since I'm not shallow (I wish), I gave this one a spin. Beginning his career in the 70's, Billy Joel would become one of the top selling artists in the United States during his 30 year career. Despite his album successes, Joel was a polarizing figure in music, people and critics either loved his work or they hated it, who can blame people? The guy isn't exactly a model citizen, but honestly who is? Though Billy Joel would release his big billboard hits in the late 70's and 80's, his sophomore release Piano Man showcased Billy Joel's "signature sound".

Piano Man is all about Joel's songwriting with an emphasis on storytelling, simillar to a couple of singer/songwriters in the 70's, Elton John and Bruce Springsteen. The album has an emphasis on "western" themes with the small piano epics "The Ballad of Billy the Kid", "Travelin Prayer", and "Captain Jack". Though the songs are lighthearted in the storytelling department, these songs are entertaining and well done both instrumentally and vocally by Joel on the piano. But the best song on this album has to be the title track "Piano Man", Joel's definitive song, a fictionalized take on his early career in Los Angeles as a lounge singer. Though he isn't the best vocalist, Billy Joel's vocals are very distinct and he bring that honest working man approach to the songs and his delivery on tracks like Piano Man are great.

Despite the western theme on the album, there are a couple of songs that have a jazz/pop sound that would dominate Joel's later albums, like "Ain't No Crime", and "Worse Comes to Worse". Though the rest of the songs are filler compared to the big three tracks of this album, "Piano Man", "Ballad of Billy the Kid", and "Captain Jack", they maintain the albums pace and flow and they're decent at best pop songs. Overall this is a good album, fans of singer songwriters might enjoy this album, but like I said. Billy Joel is one of those love or hate musicians.

Favorite Songs: Piano Man, The Ballad of Billy the Kid, Stop in Nevada, Somewhere Along the line, Captain Jack

The Verdict: 4.0