This bands history reads like a soap opera; the ever changing lineups, the drugs, the divorces, the in band romances, love, heartbreak, and hatred. Yet it was this situation that gave rise to some of the greatest pop music ever created. Their zenith came with the addition of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham in the 1970s creating the best selling album Rumors. The legendary Fleetwood/McVie rhythm section, which gave the band its very name, is too often taken for granted. In addition to this, they boast no less than three genuinely brilliant singer-songwriters! Fleetwood Mac was truly a super group at work. This is why then that I was filled with emotion upon hearing about the pending release of Say You Will in 2003. Apprehensive that it had been a 15 year hiatus since their last studio album, excited that the original Rumors line-up was working together once again, yet sadness that Christine McVie was not a part of the new project.
I wanted deeply to like this album but was prepared for the inevitable realization that it would not be comparable to their early work. Luckily, this album does stand in comparison to their mea-platinum past. Christine’s vocals, clever keyboard work, and pop sheen are certainly missed and as a result the sound is far earthier. Nicks and Buckingham needed to be at their creative best and they certainly rose to the challenge on this tour de force.
What’s the World coming to? Is a solid opener and one of the most radio friendly songs on the album. Murrow Turning over in his Grave is a production masterpiece, obscure and hard to swallow at first but on further listening, a great song. Illume is Nicks’ 9/11 song, bewildering, but fantastic to listen to; as is Thrown Down. Miranda, Red Rover and Come see Buckingham being avant-garde in his approach which is not easy on the ears but interesting nonetheless. We are, however, saved with the two sublime songs; Say You Will and Peacekeeper. Other highlights from this album are Smile at You. Running through the Garden, and Silver Girl all from Nicks and the majestic Bleed To Love Her from Buckingham. The album finishes perfectly with two amazing songs; Say Goodbye from Buckingham and Goodbye Baby from Nicks.
If Christine was here to rein in the two extremities of Buckingham and Nicks I fear this album would have been even better! Nevertheless, this is an amazing album and certainly one of the best of the decade. Here at number 20 is Fleetwood Mac’s 'Say You Will'
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