Review Summary: Pop-rock magic
If you’ve ever listened to a classic rock radio station, it’s safe to say that you’ve probably heard at least one of the songs on this album already, if not three or four. While their self-titled record, released two years prior, had been quite popular, Rumours was such an absolute smash hit that it firmly cemented
Fleetwood Mac’s star status. The recording process was filled with a staggering amount of interpersonal conflict. Coupled with the rampant drug and alcohol use that permeated the recording process, the failed marriages of the Christine(Keyboard & Vocals) and John McVie(Bass), as well as the relationship between Lindsay Buckingham(Guitar and Vocals) and Stevie Nicks(Vocals) and the marriage of Mick Fleetwood(Drums) to his wife, had put the band’s entire future in jeopardy. Basically, there was a whole lot of sex, drugs, and hatred that went into making this record.
Determined to not allow their personal problems to become their professional ones, the band worked together an incredible, seamless 39-minute listening experience. It tells tales of love; of heartache and loss, and that recovery after a breakup isn’t always easy. The three main songwriters(Nicks, Buckingham, and Christine McVie) looked over each other’s lyrics, but each song was an individual effort. The three separate songwriting processes created songs that were not just distinct in their content, but also feel sonically different as well.
This distinction is reflected in the differences between songs adjacent on the tracklist. The album opener, "Secondhand News", is a brutally honest song in which Buckingham (songwriter) acknowledges that Stevie Nicks doesn’t care for him anymore. Despite its negative outlook, the song is upbeat and catchy. It features the really well put together piano and acoustic guitar accompaniment that is the essential building block of nearly every song on the album, with Buckingham’s electric guitar and John McVie’s basslines broadening out the sound to make the track feel fuller. "Don’t Stop", on the other hand, is an ode to staying positive that combines tacky piano—a more percussive type of piano that gives the song its honky-tonk sound— with acoustic and electric guitars, and distinctive percussion.
"Dreams" is a smooth, bass-heavy melody that tells of breakups and hopefulness about the future that features Nicks (the songwriter) on vocals with the others harmonizing. The songs that Nicks wrote weren’t necessarily the catchiest on the album (the chart toppers on Rumours belong to either Buckingham or Christine McVie), but there’s an illustrative quality in her lyrics that really appeals to me. The chorus of "Dreams" goes:
“Thunder only happens when it’s rainin’
Players only love you when they’re playin’
Say…Women…they will come and they will go
When the rain washes you clean…you’ll know”
I mention Stevie Nicks’ lyrics in particular because they really resonated with me as I was listening, but every single one of the songs feels genuine. The listener can definitely appreciate the honesty in writing songs about relationship troubles with band members, and it’s their honesty that really sells the lyrics and it’s what makes the songs feel special.
It’s the little things on Rumours are what take a good record and makes it great. When you’re listening to "Songbird", a beautiful piano accompanied love song, part of the reason Christine McVie’s voice has such a magical quality here is because it was recorded in a concert hall at UC Berkeley. The rare use of extended guitar solos through the album make them more desirable in "You Make Loving Fun" and "Go Your Own Way", two songs in which John McVie showcases his considerable bass-playing talent.
The album flows readily and the listening experience never stops being engaging from start to finish. Despite this, none of the songs sound the same at all; the artists readily explored and infused different genres into the general pop-rock theme. The last song on the album, Stevie Nicks’ "Gold Dust Woman", incorporates jazz elements, while "Never Going Back Again" is a solid folk-pop tune showing Buckingham’s resilience in moving forward with his life.
Although I initially listened to this having no preconceived notion of
Fleetwood Mac, I’ve definitely been converted into a fan. Pop-rock can border on cheesy if an artist isn’t diligent; the easily digestible nature of it can sometimes interfere with the message the artist is trying to get across. However, they've managed to avoid all the traditional pitfalls of overindulgent sentimentality and craft a truly classic record.
Favorite Songs
• The Chain
• Dreams
• Secondhand News
• You Make Loving Fun
Least Favorite
• Go Your Own Way(Only because I’ve heard it so many times on the radio)
Rating: 4.5/5
