IT'S all rather ironic. No sooner does Elton John announce to the world that he no longer feels the pressure to achieve commercial success, than his collaboration with the Scissor Sisters, I Don't Feel Like Dancin', storms to the top of every chart on the globe.

Perhaps Mr John is playing the modesty card too falsely. Why, the single The Bridge and Elton's ode to the lottery of life and premature death, Blues Never Fade Away, are among the finest songs in his illustrious canon with Bernie Taupin.

The Captain And The Kid is, in theory, a sequel to the pair's benchmark LP, Captain Fantastic And The Dirt Brown Cowboy. Although nothing matches the aching passion of Someone Saved My Life Tonight, all the new tracks would sit comfortably on the original. This Captain is still striking gold.

Elton is not the only icon to influence the Scissor Sisters' fabulously titled opus. Marc Bolan, Bowie, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Blondie, Leo Sayer, 10cc and the ghost of Freddie Mercury have flavoured Ta-Dah. There are many who believe Robbie Williams has borrowed Freddie's regal title, but Jake Sheares is a more than worthy candidate to slip on that sparkly tiara.

Despite the influences, Ta-Dah is undoubtedly the most significant pop album of the year. Within weeks, everyone aged ten to 50 will be word perfect on She's My Man, I Can't Decide and the Debbie Harry-inspired Kiss You off.

However, expect more than a smidgen of a backlash from parents of young teenagers. Ta-Dah's lyrical content is really rather fruity and will cause many a blush!