This is what a Rolling Stones album would sound like with just a bit of womanly touch. For me, this is Fleetwood Mac’s finest batch of songs and is the soundtrack to my fifteenth summer.
Highly publicized in cable television documentaries are the infidelities and legendary drug use by the band during the writing and recording of this record. From that destructive period remains a body of work that is wholly and utterly the embodiment of rock and roll.
All but two songs contain Christine McVie’s Fender Rhodes and/or Hammond Organ which she uses as per the Muscle Shoals ‘ instruction booklet. Additionally, all but two songs feature Lindsey Buckingham’s guitar and either a sweet solo or riff (and oftentimes, both). None of the songs would ever have achieved what they did without Mick Fleetwood and John McVie’s bottom end rhythm section.
The record produced 4 top 10 hits but for me, the enduring specialness of this record lies with the remainder of the compositions which are gems of song craft borne from personal experience and human intimacy.
The first track of the album is “Second Hand News” a tight, well – crafted pop song heavy on beat and hooks. Buckingham and Nicks vocals meld to achieve both a soothing and haunting effect. This track is then followed by “Dreams” a Stevie Nicks composition that went to the top spot on Billboard’s charts. Nicks’ vocal is hall of fame gravelly gold…every word she sings is memorable regarding her tone, affectation, and pronunciation. The rhythm section of Mick Fleetwood and John McVie ride herd and corral the hook and groove. “Never Going Back Again” is a finger picking solo effort from Buckingham which establishes his guitar playing chops and puts him in a league with the best. The picking was inspired by Ry Cooder and deals, naturally, with his breakup from Stevie Nicks.
The next two tracks on the first side are “Don’t Stop” and “Go Your Own Way”. I cannot say anything more about these songs than what has already been said. Just ask yourself what happens when you hear either of these tunes and how well they have stood the test of the time. Buckingham’s guitar (white custom Gibson Les Paul) on “Go Your Own Way” is as iconic as the Eifel Tower.
Side A closes out with Christine Mcvie’s “Songbird” which is one of those gems I wrote about earlier and is a beautiful ballad made more powerful by McVie’s soulful and sultry vocal. It too is a breakup song but gracious in its sentiment and not vindictive..”And I wish you all the love in the world, but most of all, I wish it from myself”.
Side B opens with “The Chain” that has a haunting twang that would not be out of place in Appalachia. It is a collaborative effort by all the members and is a staple at Fleetwood Mac live events. It is a bona fide arena anthem.
Next is the 4th top 10 hit, Christine McVie’s “You Make Loving Fun”. McVie’s funky electric piano groove gives way to one of the most gorgeously lush choruses of the decade as she croons “I never did believe in miracles, but I’ve a feeling its time to try”. This is McVie at the top of her game, which says a lot.
Side B continues with Nicks’ “I Don’t Want to Know” which is an upbeat duet with Buckingham which masks over the pain of their dying and cheating romance. It is another one of those sparkly gems I mentioned earlier and is pure Nick’s/Buckingham magic.
The album concludes with McVie’s bluesy “Oh Daddy” followed by “Gold Dust Woman” which too is an absolute epic that has become a staple at Fleetwood Mac shows.
The band members were lucky to survive the making of this album and we, the listening public, benefited from the music and lyrics that grew from their pain, pills, and powder.
This is the album that earned Fleetwood Mac a lifetime pass to the rock and roll star chamber.