So, Fenwick told me today he was listening to Fleetwood Mac (1975) in ATMOS, and just raved about how good it was.

I told him I'd never really dug into their catalog. I'd only knew a few of their singles that were huge, and more toward the 80s for that. He said, "If you listen to this and didn’t think eight or nine of the 11 songs were flat out brilliant, I would be astonished."

So I set out to listen today.

The songs were stronger than I thought they would be; not that I thought they’d be shit or anything. Even “I’m Not Afraid” is bad per se.

I didn’t know “Say You Love Me” is on there, but I always liked that one. Their songs are very intricate and detailed. It may have been Classic Albums or something where they were playing different parts solo. It was kind of amazed at how good and uncomplicated the song sounded, but then you hear all these guitar or keyboard parts and it’s like a patchwork quilt. So many separate parts that really bring it all together. That was impressive.

I realize that with this record, too. Rumours does get a lot of grease, but this certainly stands on its own as a stellar album. I’d give it an 8.5, only because it’s my first listen, and I’ve not really examined the parts within a song.

Also, one thing I’ve always noticed with FM is the heavy drums. Not big sound, just that the drums are very busy sometimes. I don’t know if the song would be the same if they pulled back on that a bit. Maybe it needed those busier drums to support all the tracks. I wonder if they’d have been as successful or had the same love from fans for those songs had some of them been paired down by 5 or 6 tracks.

I also wonder how Prince’s music would’ve sounded had a lot of those tracks not been simply unavailable, or later muted in the final mix.

I saw one of their Classic Albums episodes and was surprised at all the intricate parts on their records. The bass was crazy, the drums were nuts, etc. But somehow in the final mixes, they were tasteful, almost simple, but quietly complex. It was impressive.

So I suppose I'll continue with them for a while, following the classic band lineup and listen to more albums.

What are you thoughts on Fleetwood Mac? Experiences, ideas, favorites?

RJOrion said:

"Rhiannon" is one of my favorite songs of all time.

And it's on that 1975 album! I didn't realize "Say You Love Me" was on there. I was always a fan of McVie's voice. "Little Lies" was a favorite in the 80s, mostly because of her voice.

TrivialPursuit said:

RJOrion said:

TrivialPursuit said:

And it's on that 1975 album! I didn't realize "Say You Love Me" was on there. I was always a fan of McVie's voice. "Little Lies" was a favorite in the 80s, mostly because of her voice.

'Say You Love Me' is a great one too... except for "Rhiannon", i wasnt really a big fan back in 1975, but over the years Fleetwood Mac music has really grown on me...i dig Christine McVie's voice too..."Little Lies" is one of her highlights too

I have a feeling this late winter/early spring could be my Fleetwood era.

The Dolby Atmos experience made me love the D&P album again... Just saying'

And I really never liked that album, and was not wild about it when the SDE was release recently.

Only that Dolby Atmos really did it for me.

-

I honestly love all Fleetwood Mac's music, with the Buckingham/Nicks combination.

Hard to recommend something specific.

But once you're through all the album, also try 1981 the

solo album by Lindsey Buckingham, ''Law and Order''.

Sounds like a Fleetwood Mac album too.

[Edited 1/26/24 3:40am]

that 1975 self-titled album is my favorite Fleetwood Mac album I like it even more than Rumours.

the last track "I'm So Afraid" just blows me away.

gandorb said:

Landslide from the self titled album has to be one of the biggest songs never released as a single by a band releasing many hit singles.

Wow! That is really a great statement about a great song that was released as a single by a very popular band who made many outstanding songs!

I like "Tusk"!

I slept on them for years. Finally got the greatest hits last year. Needless to say... classic.

nayroo2002 said:

Listen to BuCkingham/Nicks solo album. It was a template for what Fletetwood Mac would become once they joined .

[Edited 2/1/24 13:14pm]

I listened to Rumours. I had some thoughts on it I sent to Fenwick. These are my first listen thoughts.

Side A

Second Hand News: Odd choice for an opening track. It feels …light? I suppose it feels more like a jam session with overdubs. Not the heft I’d normally expect from Fleetwood Mac.

Dreams: Such a great opening bass line. I love the way the guitar slides into the song. The song is simple with a three-chord approach, but the layering of parts (probably by Buckingham) gives it a velvety undertone while feeling raw on top with Nicks’s vocals. Top-notch song.

Never Going Back Again: Hillbilly Mac. It’s clearly about his breakup with Nicks. The musicianship is great, but not much depth other than being a post-break-up song.

Don’t Stop: Now we’re talking! A McVie song! There’s nothing to say about the song. I love the break in the second chorus run-through. The drums could’ve been a bit heftier overall. But of course, Mick gets busy on them in the second half of the song. The “ooohhh, don’t ya look back,” is almost reminding me of the extended part of “Forever In My Life.”

Go Your Own Way: This one starts differently than it ends. The chorus stands out in such a way that it’s almost disconnected from the verses, yet the drums and other production keep it cohesive. The chorus almost feels like a tag ending to a larger phrase, which is interesting.

Songbird: What a beautiful song. I don’t think I ever paid much attention to this song, despite enjoying McVie as a musician. It’s just lovely front-to-back.

Side B thoughts:

The Chain: If there was a Fleetwood Mac song that turned me off to the band, it’s this song. I just don’t like it. The melody in the verse is so goddamn annoying. Janky, clanky. It whole song feels sinister in some way, like a weird track that should’ve been on Hotel California. 👎🏻

You Make Loving Fun: I enjoy this song. The opening bass line reminds me of Ace’s “How Long,” which oddly is about a band member doing outside work, thinking the rest of the band didn’t know (ie: cheating). McVie’s voice on this, and the backing vocals are just heavenly. There’s a smokey thing to her voice. It’s smooth, but has a tightness to it that makes it distinct.

I Don’t Want To Know: This has more of that country sensibility to it. Moderate, driving, energetic melody over a regulated beat and production. It’s something Johnny Lee, or BJ Thomas could’ve sung in their sleep. It never lets up, so the energy is fun. But with that level of energy, it could get real old real fast. Brevity worked in its favor.

Oh Daddy: A haunting song by McVie. I love the mood on it.

Gold Dust Woman: I don’t know WTF Nicks is singing about. (Obvi cocaine) It’s dark and creepy, and the major chords in the verse only serve as false hope that the song will feel better as it goes. If her black shawls were a song, it’d be this song. It’s Nicks at her most folksy, and witchy.

Silver Springs: I’d say this was one of Nicks superior compositions. I can see why maybe it didn’t make it onto the album, despite it being a breakup song. Frankly, I could’ve done without track 1 and 3, and put this song on there instead. It’s a sweet song until you her her angst in the delivery and the building of the song.

RJOrion said:

Great reviews TP...so accurate

Thanks. Fenwick and I have great music talks. We'll share a Note on iOS, and I'll live update as I listen to an album that maybe I've never given attention to before. Sure enough, that day or the next, I get a phone call and we go over it. Because it's typically something he's familiar with, and I'm playing catch-up.