After creating quite possibly the greatest rock album ever, Rumours, Fleetwood Mac went back into the studio and started experimenting with their sound. Most relationship problems had been somewhat healed, but the drug use still lingered. This expansive double album was a commercial disappointment, but still included enough great tracks to make it worthy of Fleetwood Mac's discography.
Fleetwood Mac is:
Mick Fleetwood: Drums
John McVie: Bass
Christine McVie: Vocals, keyboards
Lindsey Buckingham: Vocals, guitar
Stevie Nicks: Vocals, tambourine
1. Over & Over
Probably not the best way to begin an album, Over & Over is a very slow and bluesy song. The chorus is sort of catchy, but overall it's just pretty boring and drags on a little too long. Christine's voice is as good as ever, but you don't expect this slow of a song to begin a rock album. 3.6/5
2. The Ledge
This song really defines "experimental." It's hard to tell what Lindsey and Stevie are saying. The instrumentation is just plain weird, as is the entire song. This song is probably why a lot of people didn't like this album. 2/5
3. Think About Me
One of Christine McVie's classics, this song just never gets old. A beautiful electric piano is played throughout the entire song. It includes a wonderful chorus, "I don't hold you down, maybe that's why you're around, but if I'm the one you love, think about me." Mick Fleetwood's drumming adds another great touch, as does the three-part harmony. 5/5
4. Save Me A Place
Another slow song. This song has a steady rhythm and good lyrics. But what really makes it special is the beautiful harmony during the chorus, in which they just sing the title. There must be a guest singer because nobody in the band can sing that low. 4/5
5. Sara
This is a true masterpiece. Mick's drums are played just a tad too fast and John's bass is played a little too slow to create a weird, very unique rhythm. This song is supposedly about Stevie's abortion, in which Don Henley was the father. The lyrics are pretty painful sounding, and sung very well. Once again there is a lot of beautiful harmonies. Lindsey's guitar also shines in this song. 5/5
6. What Makes You Think You're The One
This song is a little too obnoxious. Lindsey's lyrics are ok, as is his guitar playing. Overall this song is pretty boring and I'm always happy when it gets over. Some people may like it though, since it was included on the "The Very Best Of Fleetwood Mac." 3/5
7. Storms
This is another one of Stevie Nick's masterpieces that are scattered throughout Tusk. Her lyrics are simply perfect as is the harmony. Whenever I hear them sing, "Every hour of fear I spend" it just sends shivers down my spine. This is a very long song, reaching 5:31. Near the end of the song she reveals that she has "always been a storm." Not sure what that means but it sounds cool anyway. 5/5
8. That's All For Everyone
This is one song that I personally love. The lyrics are catchy, and for some reason, have always reminded me of a circus. This song fits in very well with the rest of the album, since it's very experimental sounding. 4.5/5
9. Not That Funny
This song is just plain crazy. All of the guitar playing is beautiful sounding. The drumming and singing is totally wild though. Lindsey, once again, is trying to toy with their sound. 4/5
10. Sisters Of The Moon
This is one of the very best songs on this record, and one of the band's best songs ever. Haunting bassline, dark lyrics and freakishly good guitar playing highlight another Stevie Nicks cult classic. This is one song that you never want to end. Lindsey Buckingham highlights the end of the song with a great guitar solo. 5/5
11. Angel
This song begins with an electric piano playing that sounds a lot like "Think About Me." Stevie provides catchy lyrics and a nice chorus to keep you entertained for a while. "You feel good, I think it's funny that you ever should, I knew you would." 4.0/5
12. That's Enough For Me
Not much to say about this one, other than that it pretty much sounds like a reincarnation of "Not That Funny." It only lasts 1:50 and is full of Lindsey screaming "Yeah" at very high pitches. 2.5/5
13. Brown Eyes
A very slow Christine song, which actually sounds somewhat like "Sisters Of The Moon." The lyrics are kind of dark sounding. This song doesn't do much for me, as you can barely tell what she's saying and that it's not catchy at all. 3.5/5
14. Never Make Me Cry
This is just another pretty average song by Christine. It sounds a lot like the rest of her other slow songs. Due to the long list of tracks on this album, many of them had to be short songs. This is just another example. 3/5
15. I Know I'm Not Wrong
Another Lindsey song sung with some crazy high pitched vocals. This ones pretty catchy, although it does sound like a mix of TEFM and NTF. It really does sound like another average song by this guy from this album. 3.5/5
16. Honey Hi
This song is pretty dumb and pointless. The lyrics are crap (what the heck's a honey hi?). Christine's high pitched vocals sound great though, for one of the few times on this album. Yet another short, pointless track. 2/5
17. Beautiful Child
Stevie Nicks does it again, creating another picture perfect beautiful ballad. Lindsey Buckingham's acoustic guitar shines wonderfully through. The lyrics here are totally genius. "Your eyes say yes, but you don't say yes." "I'm not a child anymore, I'm tall enough to reach for the stars, I'm old enough to love you from afar." Though they never played this live until the Say You Will tour, this is one of Stevie Nick's greatest songs. 5/5
18. Walk A Thin Line
One of my all-time Fleetwood Mac favorites, Walk A Thin Line is a very slow tempoed song with a big chorus. The harmony vocals during the chorus are so perfect with lots of hoowa hoowa hoowa's. After this album, Lindsey pretty much ceased singing such high pitched notes. 5/5
19. Tusk
Recorded with the USC Trojans marching band, this is another classic by the Mac. Mick and the band start it off with creepy jungle-like drums. You keep hearing Lindsey asking weird questions. Then John's amazing, catchy bass line comes in. After another question is asked, Lindsey and Stevie scream out, "Don't say that you love me, just tell me that you want me." Followed by them yelling out, "Tusk!" The saxes, trumpets and trombones add a great edge to a great song. There's also a great guitar riff. Supposedly this song was about how Mick and Stevie were doing "you know what" just for fun, and that a 'tusk' symbolizes, well you can guess. 5/5
20. Never Forget
Finally Christine makes another good song. Great vocal harmony as always, plus good lyrics highlight this song. I guess it was basically written about how Christine and her lover had a great time at some party and that they should never forget it. 4/5
This album was not well received by critics, but some fans love it just for whatever reason. Some people are happy that they didn't go in the same direction as Rumours, some are sad. I never noticed until just now that this is probably Stevie's best album, because the length gave her the oppurtunity to shine instead of just making three songs. If you ever have the chance to get this on vinyl, I suggest it, not only because Sara is two minutes longer, but also because there is some disturbingly beautiful artwork not found on the cd version. I don't recommend it to someone new to Fleetwood Mac, but if you love them, you'll probably love this too.
Final Rating: 3.999/5
