Without a doubt Mirage was a reaction record to how Tusk was received. I think Mac did play it safe, and I think that did temper their fire in an over-all sense, however, being Fleetwood Mac moments of brilliance still shine through "Gypsy" definitely being one.
As I've said before, I think the massive success of Rumours has had a lingering effect on them. Chris wasn't meeting her usual pop song standards on Tusk. Lindsey played it too safe on Mirage. And Stevie's coke addiction finally brought down the quality of her songwriting on Tango.
Each of those albums had one of the 3 off their game, and since then we've had the Lindsey-less Behind The Mask and the Christine-less Say You Will, neither of which can be considered a "classic Mac lineup" album.
|