Lindsey Buckingham, "Gift of Screws" (Reprise) 4 stars.
Masslive.com
In 2006, when the heart and soul of Fleetwood Mac, Lindsey Buckingham, released his first solo album in 14 years, "Under The Skin," he promised that the follow-up would come relatively soon and would be more rockin'.
He was right on both accounts.
"Gift of Screws," still showcases plenty of Buckingham's mesmerizing acoustic finger-picking but there's also plenty of thump as well, no doubt in part to the guest contributions from his FM mates Mick Fleetwood and John McVie.
The opener, "Great Day," which features a co-writing credit from Buckingham's son Will, boasts a nearly "Tusk" like thump and a frenzied electric guitar solo at the end, "Wait For You," has a dark but unmistakable Fleetwood Mac feel, while the title track - which is based around an Emily Dickinson poem - is flat-out bizarre.
Keeping in line with Buckingham's status as one of the most underrated guitarists of his era, there is some exquisite guitar playing throughout this album, especially during the beautiful, rippling "Time Precious Time," the stellar rocker "Love Runs Deeper" and the acoustic-based beauty "Bel Air Rain."
Lindsey Buckingham plays the Calvin Theatre in Northampton on Oct. 14.