Classic Rock Album of the Day- Fleetwood Mac- Tusk (1979). ****
As Epic of a hit that Rumours became in 1979, yours truly will not dispute that fact, but even with the ubiquitous nature of that LP in the halls of modern classic rock universe. I recognize that the experimental basis of this work in nothing short of brilliant. No doubt this is Lindsey Buckingham's brain child, and it just seals the deal that Buckingham is criminally underrated in rock history as far as song writing and guitar prowess. The Fleetwood Mac purist mostly hated the Buckingham - Nicks America-phile addition, and Tusk just rubbed in their face that their bluesy band had been fully hijacked. Not only, but this was a double album that seemed to exaberate the fact.
I love the fact that Rumours was so huge (at last count 40M copies) that Buckingham embarked on somewhat of a FU album, and flexed his creative forces in a manner rarely seen. Yes, the fan base was shocked, but many of us saw what was a soul beared in an intense manner, and one that was so stylistically varied, dark, forboding, and even upbeat in a collection of what was self reflective dittys that channeled the internal band anger and emotion into a classic.
I especially love the Nicks contributions, as she takes what I feel is the sexist female voice of all time, and creates magic. Buckingham contributes much more intense ax work too, that has much less hook, and more substance and character. Not doubt this was a commercial failure, but at least in my eyes this is their Swan song, and epic music contribution. Personally, the experimentive value of this work help propel Nicks in her solo career. As she was able to flex the range versus just singing the hits.
Fun Fact: Not sure this stat has been created, but I seriously doubt any band in rock history has seen a 90% drop off in sales after one hit album Rumours- 40M units Tusk- 4M sold.
Recommended Cuts- "*" i.e didn't feel like ranking 20 songs this time.
Side 1-
-----------
Over and Over- LP starts with a soft Chris McVie number. Not saying CM was off her game, but outside some soulful Buckingham licks, not a upper tier cut on the LP
The Ledge- Experimental ditty No.1- Folksy one with an innovative fuzzy guitar sound that almost across as it was muffled in a barrel.
Think About Me- Another CM/Buckingham sung number that was one of the few semi-hits of the work. Very simple in Fleetwood Mac terms, but effective *
Save Me a Place- Ditty No. 2 Meh....
Sara- The biggest hit (Charted No. 7). And very hauntingly, beautiful and sexily sang song by Ms. Nicks. Fabulous production, and the song that probably and finally told Stevie Nicks that she had a lucrative solo career out there for the taking. *
Side 2-
------------
What Makes You Think You Are the One- Another folksy experimentive . Love the driving percussion while the guitar chordal progression takes place. I am sure the record producers thought they were punked with this kind of work, but I recognize the simplistic genius. Buckingham has bared his soul, and it works nicely. *
Storms- Another beautiful and soulful expressive performance from Nicks. I feel there was so much hurtful truth between Nicks and Buckingham as so much of this music channeled and documented their tumultuous relationship. You can hear it and feel it here. *
That's All For Everyone- One of my favorite songs on the entire album. Song's slow rolling build with such interesting harmonic adds, just give this that surrealistic feel of each voice talking in tandem. "that's all?" That sure is the feel, and I thought based on a lot of these lyrics was a harbinger of their end. *
It's Not That Funny- Absloute innovation by Buckigham. Takes almost a folk like melody line, and makes music like none had made before. Fantastic guitar interplay. *
Sisters of the Moon- Another strong Nicks contribution, and one that sounds a lot like she would be doing in her solo career. Some searing Buckingham solo work added at the end, excellent stuff. *
Side 3-
-----------
Angel- Though this was released as a single, strangely it did not chart. And in my opinion this is the sexist sang song, by maybe the sexiest rock star who ever lived. Yeah.... Many other guys had Farah Fawcett Major on the Wall at the dorm. Me? Mine was a hot and sweaty Stevie Nicks. *
That's Enough For Me- Quicker paced, but more of the same
Brown Eyes- Not too much filler here , but this CM number adds little to the equation.
Never Make Me Cry- Christine turns the tables on the very next song, by making maybe one of the most sorrowful heart wrenching tunes ever. Man, there really must have been some serious emotional angst during the songwriting aspects of this LP. *
I Know I am Not Wrong- "Don't Blame Me" is a repetitive theme and lyric on this album. Song encapsulates tone, tenor and musical feel of the entire album. One of my favorites on the LP. *
Side 4-
------------
Honey Hi- Another homer by Chris McVie. Hard to beleive that a song so simple, and elemental could come across so nicely. *
Beautiful Child- Nick's melancholy add. Not bad, not her best effort on the LP.
Walk a Thin Line- Very nice harmonized total group effort . Buckingham using these slow rolling folk like songs was well hallmarked by this one as an example .*
Tusk- I kind of dug this one since I was a member of a university marching band almost in that same era. Otherwise this pretty much was a gimmick song. In the grand scheme of time, pretty pointless.
Never Forget- One hour plus album closes with a positive and pleasant note. No, and at least from my POV, I will never forget how good and overlooked this album is in rock history.
As Epic of a hit that Rumours became in 1979, yours truly will not dispute that fact, but even with the ubiquitous nature of that LP in the halls of modern classic rock universe. I recognize that the experimental basis of this work in nothing short of brilliant. No doubt this is Lindsey Buckingham's brain child, and it just seals the deal that Buckingham is criminally underrated in rock history as far as song writing and guitar prowess. The Fleetwood Mac purist mostly hated the Buckingham - Nicks America-phile addition, and Tusk just rubbed in their face that their bluesy band had been fully hijacked. Not only, but this was a double album that seemed to exaberate the fact.
I love the fact that Rumours was so huge (at last count 40M copies) that Buckingham embarked on somewhat of a FU album, and flexed his creative forces in a manner rarely seen. Yes, the fan base was shocked, but many of us saw what was a soul beared in an intense manner, and one that was so stylistically varied, dark, forboding, and even upbeat in a collection of what was self reflective dittys that channeled the internal band anger and emotion into a classic.
I especially love the Nicks contributions, as she takes what I feel is the sexist female voice of all time, and creates magic. Buckingham contributes much more intense ax work too, that has much less hook, and more substance and character. Not doubt this was a commercial failure, but at least in my eyes this is their Swan song, and epic music contribution. Personally, the experimentive value of this work help propel Nicks in her solo career. As she was able to flex the range versus just singing the hits.
Fun Fact: Not sure this stat has been created, but I seriously doubt any band in rock history has seen a 90% drop off in sales after one hit album Rumours- 40M units Tusk- 4M sold.
Recommended Cuts- "*" i.e didn't feel like ranking 20 songs this time.
Side 1-
-----------
Over and Over- LP starts with a soft Chris McVie number. Not saying CM was off her game, but outside some soulful Buckingham licks, not a upper tier cut on the LP
The Ledge- Experimental ditty No.1- Folksy one with an innovative fuzzy guitar sound that almost across as it was muffled in a barrel.
Think About Me- Another CM/Buckingham sung number that was one of the few semi-hits of the work. Very simple in Fleetwood Mac terms, but effective *
Save Me a Place- Ditty No. 2 Meh....
Sara- The biggest hit (Charted No. 7). And very hauntingly, beautiful and sexily sang song by Ms. Nicks. Fabulous production, and the song that probably and finally told Stevie Nicks that she had a lucrative solo career out there for the taking. *
Side 2-
------------
What Makes You Think You Are the One- Another folksy experimentive . Love the driving percussion while the guitar chordal progression takes place. I am sure the record producers thought they were punked with this kind of work, but I recognize the simplistic genius. Buckingham has bared his soul, and it works nicely. *
Storms- Another beautiful and soulful expressive performance from Nicks. I feel there was so much hurtful truth between Nicks and Buckingham as so much of this music channeled and documented their tumultuous relationship. You can hear it and feel it here. *
That's All For Everyone- One of my favorite songs on the entire album. Song's slow rolling build with such interesting harmonic adds, just give this that surrealistic feel of each voice talking in tandem. "that's all?" That sure is the feel, and I thought based on a lot of these lyrics was a harbinger of their end. *
It's Not That Funny- Absloute innovation by Buckigham. Takes almost a folk like melody line, and makes music like none had made before. Fantastic guitar interplay. *
Sisters of the Moon- Another strong Nicks contribution, and one that sounds a lot like she would be doing in her solo career. Some searing Buckingham solo work added at the end, excellent stuff. *
Side 3-
-----------
Angel- Though this was released as a single, strangely it did not chart. And in my opinion this is the sexist sang song, by maybe the sexiest rock star who ever lived. Yeah.... Many other guys had Farah Fawcett Major on the Wall at the dorm. Me? Mine was a hot and sweaty Stevie Nicks. *
That's Enough For Me- Quicker paced, but more of the same
Brown Eyes- Not too much filler here , but this CM number adds little to the equation.
Never Make Me Cry- Christine turns the tables on the very next song, by making maybe one of the most sorrowful heart wrenching tunes ever. Man, there really must have been some serious emotional angst during the songwriting aspects of this LP. *
I Know I am Not Wrong- "Don't Blame Me" is a repetitive theme and lyric on this album. Song encapsulates tone, tenor and musical feel of the entire album. One of my favorites on the LP. *
Side 4-
------------
Honey Hi- Another homer by Chris McVie. Hard to beleive that a song so simple, and elemental could come across so nicely. *
Beautiful Child- Nick's melancholy add. Not bad, not her best effort on the LP.
Walk a Thin Line- Very nice harmonized total group effort . Buckingham using these slow rolling folk like songs was well hallmarked by this one as an example .*
Tusk- I kind of dug this one since I was a member of a university marching band almost in that same era. Otherwise this pretty much was a gimmick song. In the grand scheme of time, pretty pointless.
Never Forget- One hour plus album closes with a positive and pleasant note. No, and at least from my POV, I will never forget how good and overlooked this album is in rock history.
