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The Diving Board
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The Diving Board Image
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 26 Ratings

  • Summary: Produced by T-Bone Burnett, the first solo album in over seven years for the pop singer-songwriter is a return to the more stripped down sound of his earlier career built around a piano, bass and drums.
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  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Genre(s): Singer/Songwriter, Adult Contemporary, Pop/Rock, Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Album Rock, Rock & Roll, Soft Rock
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Top Track

Oceans Away
I hung out with the old folks In the hope that I'd get wise I was trying to the gap Between the great divide Hung on every recollection In the... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. The Independent (UK)
    Sep 13, 2013
    100
    The singer has matched Bernie Taupin's best crop of lyrics for years with his own most emotively apt melodies to produce a collection that both harks back to the intrigues and interests of his earliest recordings, yet manages to break new ground, quite an achievement for an artist in his sixth decade.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Sep 27, 2013
    83
    It's slightly overlong and noodly in spots. [4 Oct 2013, p.64]
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  3. Boston Globe
    Sep 24, 2013
    80
    The Diving Board succeeds where the others did not. It does so by putting John’s piano and voice front and center, offering memorable melodies, and scraping off the production glop to reveal again the musician, the vocalist, the emotional artist still alive under John’s shiny shell of professional fabulousness.
  4. Clash Music
    Sep 12, 2013
    70
    The Diving Board is an adult affair, but impressive enough to explore, and reinforces Elton’s continuing creative renaissance.
  5. Classic Rock Magazine
    Oct 23, 2013
    70
    Yes aging is difficult but Elton and Bernie seem to be making a good job of it. [Oct 2013, p.91]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    Sep 23, 2013
    60
    He's no Marcel Proust, but full credit for producing what's an unusually thoughtful album in contemporary pop music terms. Even if it is a bit morbid.
  7. Drowned In Sound
    Sep 24, 2013
    30
    The Diving Board feels like an album made by somebody who’s spent the last few years performing the same set list night after night in Vegas.

See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. mchlkirk77
    Nov 15, 2013
    10
    Elton John at his best, even better when it comes to pure classical piano. Every song is so heartfelt and the way the piano is masterfullyElton John at his best, even better when it comes to pure classical piano. Every song is so heartfelt and the way the piano is masterfully highlighted in most songs makes this album entirely captivating in my view.… Expand
  2. PedroH5523
    Feb 13, 2019
    10
    Elton John is better here than in Peachtree Road or The Captain & The Kid, his best album since Songs From The West Coast!!!
  4. Jonrick
    Dec 15, 2013
    10
    I was never a big fan of Elton's hit's. I found solitude in his songs that were tucked away on his albums that unless you are an advert fan ofI was never a big fan of Elton's hit's. I found solitude in his songs that were tucked away on his albums that unless you are an advert fan of Elton you might never hear. Songs like Cry to heaven. or One more arrow to name a few. I am thrilled to have this Elton album in my collection. I have listened to it several times and will continue to do so until I know every lyric. I love Elton John when he is being Elton John and not so much the performer....… Expand
  5. Psikolog
    Apr 3, 2016
    10
    Elton John and the piano, this combination never disappointed me and The Diving Board is just what I want to hear from him. His voice is soElton John and the piano, this combination never disappointed me and The Diving Board is just what I want to hear from him. His voice is so beautiful and so strong, plus the piano makes his vocals even stronger and more emotional. It's definitely one of my favorite albums.… Expand
  6. adhamhany
    Feb 1, 2014
    2
    I'm sorry, but this is very boring. It pains me to say such a thing about Elton John's work, but it is. The whole album just feels like oneI'm sorry, but this is very boring. It pains me to say such a thing about Elton John's work, but it is. The whole album just feels like one long snooze. Even the 3 'Dream' tracks, which are the only redeeming aspect, are pretty short to make a difference.… Expand