Unfortunately this was the last studio album that the full Rumours line-up recorded together... which, in one way was a wise decision because they went out with a bang. On the other hand, it was a disappointment for fans because they felt that the Mac was, and if that line-up ever reformed, still are capable of producing better. It's not that this is a bad album... there were a few let downs on it.
The stand out tracks for me would have to be Seven Wonders (Stevie Nicks, Sandy Stewart) and Isn't It Midnight (Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham and Eddy Quintela). Seven Wonders struck me first of all because it was a surprisingly upbeat track compared to Stevie's past work. The synthesizers really add to this feel-good track, with Stevie's vocals being on top form as usual. Isn't It Midnight is a great rock tune, definitely one of my favourite Christine tunes. The guitar in it really makes you want to pick oen up yourself and play the riffs and solos... or at least pretend to play it along with this great track. Another excellent track is Caroline, by Lindsey Buckingham. Excellent drumming and a pounding, catchy chorus are what set this apart from the rest of the tracks... Christine's vocals during the intro and the outro add to the feeling of the song... this woman seems unstoppable!
The let downs for me would have to be When I See You Again (Stevie Nicks) and Family Man(Lindsey Buckingham). I have to say I wasn't all that impressed with this one of Stevie's, which is a surprising thing for me to say because she's one of my favourite songwriters. It's her emotional low point and I interpreted it as how she feels about Lindsey... if she sees him again, will it all be over? etc.. Even as she sings it, the emotion is there... but at the same time she doesn't seem all that bothered about singing it. I've seen better from Stevie and this was a big disappointment. Lindsey's track "Family Man" was slightly confusing because the man didn't actually have a family until about ten years later... so it didn't make sense and it didn't make a good first impression. Normally songs grow on me after a while but this one just didn't. Sorry Lindsey, you're great but it's like I said with Stevie... I've seen better.
For me this album belongs to Christine McVie. Not one of her songs gets below a 7/10 for me. The high point being Isn't it Midnight, closely followed by Everywhere and Little Lies in second place. The songs that she co-wrote with Lindsey Buckingham were pretty damn good too... namely You And I Part II, and Mystified. Lindsey's "Big Love" is a good enough song as well, with a nice little riff running through the verses.
Over all, quite a good album but when you consider who created it, it's not all that you hope it will be. But on the other hand... Christine McVie, I salute you for never having lost your touch the whole way through!
Recommended Tracks:
Track 2: Seven Wonders
Track 3: Everywhere
Track 4: Caroline
Track 7: Little Lies
Track 10: Isn't It Midnight
Good Tracks...
Track 1: Big Love
Track 5: Tango In The Night
Track 6: Mystified
Track 9: Welcome To The Room... Sara
Track 12: You And I, Part II
Steer Clear...
Track 8: Family Man
Track 11: When I See You Again
