Fleetwood Mac - Say You Will
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Free Music Notes for Say You Will
Free Music Review: BuckinghamNicks of 2003?
Hit: 5 Stars
If the incredible run of Fleetwood Mac ends with this release (and I can't imagine this being so...) then they've further solidified their standing as one of rocks' icons and can be secure in the knowledge that they've gone out in style. This is an incrediblebly diverse collection that only gets better when listened to over and over again and is probably what the combination of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks would have sounded like had they not ever joined Fleetwood Mac in 1976."Say You Will" features the almost fully organized "Rumours" version of Fleetwood Mac (minus Christine McVie) in the studio for the first time since 1987's "Tango in the Night" (1997's "The Dance" being a pleasent "homecoming") and they've really never sounded better (Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, as always, contribute little to the songwriting effort but are again vindicated as one of the best rhythym sections around). This work is made up of a combination of tunes from a prospective solo follow-up to 1992's "Out of the Cradle" by Lindsey Buckingham and new music from Stevie Nicks. The story of how this latest version of the group was reunited adds another mystical chapter to the group's already sizeable mystique. Buckingham in the studio recruiting musicians meets Fleetwood and asks him to play drums on his "new album". They collectively decide that the new songs are missing something and that something comes in the name of John McVie who agrees to play bass and the legendary magic is rekindled.
Stevie Nicks (on the road promoting her "Shangri-La" album) is then asked to join the group...one thing leads to another and they decide to record a new album. All members have matured beyond the halycon days of "Rumours" (Lindsey Buckingham is now married with two children!!) and this new maturity is very definitely evident in the new music.
Of the 18 new songs, I feel passionate about 13 of them with varying degrees of emotion. All of the songs penned by Lindsey Buckingham are fantastic...he again amazes me with such a divergent musical direction from his previous releases. "Bleed to Love Her" is the highlight of the album followed closely by "Steal Your Heart Away". Had he not contributed these to the new "Mac" album, they would have undoubtedly ended up on the much awaited solo release.
Stevie Nicks also shows new motivation by contributing the title song, "Thrown Down", "Destiny Rules" and the album/concert closing "Goodbye Baby" (an incredibly tender and emotional song bringing back memories from Tusk's "Beautiful Child"). Production and song organization is essentially the "Buckingham" show and drives me to conclude that had he and Nicks stayed together (following their 1975 "BuckinghamNicks" combination), this is what they would have sounded like.
Catchy modern pop along with the requisite Mac emotional staples, Fleetwood Mac shows that unlike many of the 70's/ 80's supergroups (the Eagles being a prime example), they still have a major contribution to make to modern music and deserve their reputation as one of popular music's best performers. I very heartily recommend this album!!!
Free Music Review: Christine who?
Hit: 5 Stars
Upon first listen of this new fleetwood mac album, one may sit completely dumbfounded...almost shocked by what they are hearing. Can a band who has been in the music bussines for more than 30 years really come up with something fresh and innovative?The answer...no. Not unless, of course the driving force behind that band happens to be none other than Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. This album is pure GENIUS. The astonishing prodction soars to new heights, not only for Fleetwood Mac, but for any band.Next question, Is Christine McVie missed on this album? Of course, but only just a smidgen. Chistine's sharp pop ditties were a cornerstone of the Fleetwood mac sound and were some of fleetwood mac's greatest hits.In latter years, however some of Christine's material had become comparitive to cream of wheat. Not bad, but kind of bland as if they were manufactured in some kind of pop music making factory. Stevie and Lindsey were and still are the passion of the "classic" fleetwood mac lineup and there is certainly no lack of passion on this project.
Both have churned out some fine material here. Buckingham, always the studio ace, proves to be a production god on this album. Stevie Nicks, a songwriter who's well still hasn't run dry of mini-masterpieces (even after brilliantly tapping her resources for 2001's spectacular 'Trouble in Shangri-la') has done it again with the likes of "Illume (9-11)," Thrown down,"Destiny Rules" and what may be the centerpiece of the album, "Everybody finds Out."
Standout tracks include the above mentioned Nicks songs as well as Buckingham tunes "peacekeeper" (great Stevie and lindsey duet/harmonies here, also the first single) "Miranda" and "Come." The albums closing tracks("Say Goodbye" and "Goodbye baby")are emtionally charged and heart wrenching with the latter featuring the most delicately beautiful vocal ever recorded, in almost whisper like tones, sounding as if Nicks had been crying for hours beforehand. Two other Nicks tunes, "running through the Garden" and "say you will" are also highlights with "say you will" finding Nicks still having a flare for creating perfectly crafted pop...destined to be a radio hit. Only when the mac mellows out as on buckingham tunes Steal your heart away" and "bleed to love her" (did we really need it again?) does the album lag momentarily, but only momentarily.
HAving more of an edge to it than any past mac albums, this album has a slightly darker mood (Think "I'm so Afraid," Sisters of the moon", "the Chain", "Gold dust woman") It also rocks a little harder and should be played at a sufficeint volume.
Buy it now, play it often and play it LOUD as all great rock-n-roll music is meant to be played...For this album does just that. It truly rocks. Thank you Stevie and Lindsey for creating yet another masterpiece.
Free Music Review: Fleetwood Mac - Their Best Since Tusk
Hit: 5 Stars
"Say You Will" was the band's first studio album in 8 years and the first to feature both Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham in 16 years. The results are what is certainly one of Fleetwood Mac's best releases and their most creative album since "Tusk" in the late 70's. Some will be disappointed at the absence of Christine McVie from this project, but for me, she was always my least favorite songwriter in the band, and is not missed that much. Her departure opens the door for the creative juices of Buckingham and Nicks with Buckingham especially turning in one of his most passionate performances. The songs are equally divided (8 a piece) between Buckingham and Nicks. Buckingham's contributions are just about all top notch and seem to lean heavily in the direction of his more experimental solo works than previous material with Fleetwood Mac. The opening track "What's The World Coming To" is a great way to start. "Murrow Turning Over In His Grave" is an odd, yet ultimately satisfying comment on society. "Miranda" has a killer chorus and is instantly memorable. "Come" is a great song with great background vocals on the chorus from Stevie and an absolutely incindiary guitar solo by Buckingham. The solo is probably the closest thing to heavy metal that Buckingham has ever recorded, drenched in distortion, Buckingham makes the guitar scream in a style akin to no one else. "Steal Your Heart Away" is a nice acoustic ballad. "Bleed To Love Her" first appeared on the live "The Dance" album and is included here as a studio track. "Say Goodbye" is another great acoustic track. Stevie Nicks material is also very good, although I don't think it quite reaches the highs of Buckingham's. "Illume" is prime Stevie about September 11. It is both insightful and moving. "Running Through The Garden" is a great rocker, with yet another outstanding guitar solo from Buckingham. "Silver Girl" is great little ballad, and the album closer "Goodbye Baby" is a Stevie Nicks lament done as only she can. The rest of the tracks on the album are all solid as well for the most part. Probably two of my least favorites are the ones they choose to release as singles. "Peacekeeper" is ok, but does not stand up to Buckingham's other material on the disc and the title track "Say You Will" is just kind of bland. Overall though this is a very good album that sees Fleetwood Mac taking more chances with their music than ever before. Fans of Buckingham's solo albums should really eat this one up. For fans of more straight ahead pop Fleetwood Mac this album may be a bit of a challenge, but if you don't mind a classic band that is trying to push the envelope with new material, this is a great one. To me this is a must own Fleetwood Mac album, and may be the best of their career.Free Music Review: An Instant Classic
Hit: 5 Stars
I'm the kind of Fleetwood Mac fan who likes Buckingham's Out of the Cradle and owns (and loves) every Nicks solo album. Now that you know where I stand...After hearing the finely crafted pop singles, PEACEKEEPER and SAY YOU WILL, I was unprepared for the impact of this bizarre, beautiful, strange, exotic, startling album. The entire band put heart and soul into this work of art--it is in no way tired or repetitive. It is not Rumours II; it is not Tusk II. I cannot compare Say You Will to any other FM work. Don't even think about calling it Buckingham Nicks II--these two artists have evolved in their lyrical poetry and are now using their voices more flexibly as instruments, adapting their vocals to suit each song. The entrancing vocal blend is still there, but it is pleasantly different. So far, I have not been able to play this album as background noise while doing other things. It's too complex, lyrically and musically. I have to lie on the floor with headphones on and listen all the way through, experiencing every nuance.It's too bad that radio is stuck in a rut and can't handle some riskier single releases, such as RUNNING THROUGH THE GARDEN or (let's go out on a creative limb here) MIRANDA! They might have attracted a new, younger following than the safe pop singles that will mostly alert long-time fans to the new release. These quirkier songs would not be played on any of the radio stations I can pick up in my corner of Texas, but then, I won't be hearing PEACEKEEPER and SAY YOU WILL on the radio either...a sad state of affairs indeed.
The one song that I hear criticized the most by FM fans is SILVER GIRL. I love this song. Given a choice, I would have preferred it on Nicks' solo work, Trouble In Shangri-La, in place of the S. Crow-penned IT'S ONLY LOVE. Even so, it holds its own as an FM song, and I like it more with every play within the context of this album. The other Nicks eccentricity that is criticized is the repetition of a verse from ILLUME in DESTINY RULES. Let the songwriter explain it: (from a Mirage era Fleetwood Mac interview) "When I write songs, I go back and I take in other things. You know, I'll say something that's right out of another song. And people say to me,"You shouldn't do that...You're ripping off yourself..." But that's not how I look at it, because I figure that everything I write is just an ongoing chronology of my life and my Fleetwood Mac and my songs and my friends. So, it's like, to be continued. Everything I write is to be continued..."
Casual FM fans might or might not find something to like about SAY YOU WILL, but for those who like to see the FM members grow their own way, be who they are, and do what they do best, this is ESSENTIAL to your collection.
Free Music Review: SAY WHAT YOU WILL, THIS ALBUM IS AMAZING!!
Hit: 5 Stars
Too many people have misjudged this record by summing up their evaluations after a preliminary listen. With a jaw-dropping 18 song track list, this album needs to be played a few times before one can appreciate its brilliance. I, too was lukewarm when I first heard the album. Having had it for over a month, I can honestly say that it is one of the best Fleetwood Mac albums ever, second only to Rumours. I find myself wanting to listen to it every day, it's that good. Every song is a standout as if the album was a collection of greatest hits. Equally amazing is the excellent musicianship is in the band after all these years. Both Stevie and Lindsey are in fine form, vocally and musically and have written some of their best material ever. This is Fleetwood Mac's Supernatural and should go on to multi-platinum success. I'm willing to bet that this album will win big at next year's Grammy and American Music Awards.With so many great songs, it's hard to pick favorites. However, Peacemaker, Say You Will, Murrow Turning in his Grave, Say Goodbye, Thrown Down, Flowers in the Garden come to mind. Peacemaker benefits from Stevie's gorgeous background alongside Lindsey's. A beautiful melody, it should be higher in the charts. An appropriate choice as the lead-off single given the tie-in to modern times and also because it's catchy and positively proclaims the Mac is back. The title track promises to be a big hit, especially in the crossover and country charts. This is the song that will draw audiences to Fleetwood Mac.
Of the two albums I was looking forward to, the other being Madonna's, I can honestly state that this is the better record. The harmonies and slick production are perfectly in sync with the mood and tempo of the songs. This album proves that FM is not content to ride on the coattails of their past glory. Though some songs have a characteristic FM sound, many others explore new areas, partcularly Lindey's Murrow and Come.
I own both the Special Edition and the DVD-Audio. The DVD-Audio is worth getting for improved clarity of the stereo mix but I found the 5.1 Dolby Digital performance to be lacking. The mix is bright and lacking in bass. I don't have a DVD-Audio player so I can't comment on the DVD Audio performance. The other misgiving I have is with the menus on the DVD Audio disc which don't allow you to pause or fast forward. However, the stereo performance more than makes up for the deficiencies. All in all, an awesome album and highly recommended in any format. I'll conclude with a listing of my top 5 FM albums::
1 Rumours
2 Say You Will
3 Tango in the Night
4 Tusk
5 Fleetwood Mac