In the Meantime newspaper reviews

[jbrownsjr]

Originally Posted by David

Yep. To me, in pop music it's all about the track. That would include the song itself (words & chords), its instrumental arrangement & its vocal arrangement. It all adds up somehow. The players that Chris worked with on this album are solid, workaday, professional -- but not very inspired in their approach. I can picture Christine handing them the song on paper -- words & maybe chords -- & they all just start playing, trying to get a feel for the pocket, the groove. What I'm trying to get at in my criticism is that Chris & her producers & players don't seem to get much beyond that point; they don't get to the point at which alternative ideas are flying right & left, & they're trying this & that, maybe doing most of the work at that point at the mixing board. There isn't much "shaping" of the track. Tracks aren't being built; they're just being jammed to. And a certain monotony sets in when all the tracks amble along too nicely.
I think "Say You Will" has its own problems pertaining to conventionality & other things.
Yes, I see what you're saying, but I'm not ever terribly concerned with a I-IV-V in a pop song, & I rarely wish it otherwise. To me, the song comes alive as a track, & it can have any conventional progression; it will either bristle with energy & live in the mind, or fall flat. I'm also not terribly concerned with risk-taking improvisation in a pop track, either. So the jazz analogy doesn't really pinpoint it for me, either. What I might say instead is that I wish the thinking behind the production were different.

I mostly understand what you are saying. I'm not well versed in production so some of it is lost on me. But I do picture Chris and her band staying highly conservative. Thank God they played with the backing vocals a little.

[macfan 57]

Here's a review from the New York Post. This critic got it wrong as far as what some of the songs are about, but he generally liked the album. He gave it 3 out of 4 stars.


CHRISTINE MCVIE: 'IN THE MEANTIME'

By DAN AQUILANTE


CHRISTINE MCVIE
"In the Meantime"
Koch Records

When Fleetwood Mac last toured, singer/songwriter Christine McVie was missing in action, reportedly tired of making music and touring.

Well, perhaps she was just tired of the group - because McVie has just crafted an eminently listenable disc of personal songs ranging from sturdy blues-rock ballads to breezy pop.

Fleetwood Mac fans will easily hear that legendary band's influence in McVie's tunes - most notably in such songs as "So Sincere" and the funk-spiced "Liar."

As for clues at to why McVie didn't return to her old gang, check out "Bad Journey" and "Sweet Revenge." It should also be noted that there's no sign of any help from her former bandmates anywhere on "In the Meantime."

[macfan 57]

Here's a pretty nice review from today's USA Today. In The Meantime got 3 out of 4 stars.

Christine McVie, In the Meantime (* * *) The breezy warmth and understated poignance of McVie's singing and songs helped lend structure and polish to the pop gems Fleetwood Mac released in the '70s and '80s. On her first solo outing in 20 years, she performs with her usual supple elegance, and also offers sassy, playful diversions such as Anything Is Possible and the buoyant Friend. There are a few tepid moments, but Meantime proves that an artist can age gracefully without losing her zest for life or art. —Elysa Gardner

[CFR]

Originally Posted by macfan 57

Here's a pretty nice review from today's USA Today. In The Meantime got 3 out of 4 stars.

Christine McVie, In the Meantime (* * *) The breezy warmth and understated poignance of McVie's singing and songs helped lend structure and polish to the pop gems Fleetwood Mac released in the '70s and '80s. On her first solo outing in 20 years, she performs with her usual supple elegance, and also offers sassy, playful diversions such as Anything Is Possible and the buoyant Friend. There are a few tepid moments, but Meantime proves that an artist can age gracefully without losing her zest for life or art. —Elysa Gardner

Now that is about the most accurate and truthful interpretation of Christine, her music and her new album so far.

The words warmth, poignance, polish, elegance, sassy and graceful are extremely accurate for her and her efforts here.

[aleuzzi]

I agree...Elysa Garnder's assessment is the most balanced and sensitive review I have seen yet. And USA Today has wide distribution, so hopefully people will see this instead of the ridiculous "review" from Findland and the vituperative (though well-written) one from Philly.

Tony Leuzzi




Christine McVie, In the Meantime (* * *) The breezy warmth and understated poignance of McVie's singing and songs helped lend structure and polish to the pop gems Fleetwood Mac released in the '70s and '80s. On her first solo outing in 20 years, she performs with her usual supple elegance, and also offers sassy, playful diversions such as Anything Is Possible and the buoyant Friend. There are a few tepid moments, but Meantime proves that an artist can age gracefully without losing her zest for life or art. —Elysa Gardner

[macfan 57]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

I agree...Elysa Garnder's assessment is the most balanced and sensitive review I have seen yet. And USA Today has wide distribution, so hopefully people will see this instead of the ridiculous "review" from Findland and the vituperative (though well-written) one from Philly.

I agree about the USA Today review. That one made me smile when I read my newspaper this morning. But, I wouldn't worry about that review from Finland. I would think only a few people on the Ledge have seen that one.