Stevie Nicks Album Reviews

[Nicks Fan]

Stevie Nicks Albums

1. Timespace: The Best of Stevie Nicks: Since her #1 debut solo album "Bella Donna" in 1981, Stevie Nicks has come along way from the pretty young girl who launched the group "Fleetwood Mac" into superstardom. This collection of songs from her 4 solo albums that precede this album is a great offering for fans of her music. From her 10 ten hit "Rooms on Fire" to the two duets "Leather and Lace" (A solid ballad recorded with Don Henley that was originally written as a duet for country singer Whelan Jennings and his wife Jessie) to the rock and roll hit "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" (Recorded with Tom Petty) the album is full of great songs from an impressive solo career. Three new songs are featured on the CD, which are Sometimes It's A Bitch (My all time favourite Stevie song), Desert Angel (Not included on the Cassette) and "Loves A Hard Game To Play". All in all a great package. Best Song on the Album: Sometimes It’s A Bitch Review: ****out of five

2. Trouble In Shangri – La: After a seven year Hiatus during which two best of compilations and a new live Fleetwood Mac Album were released, Stevie Nicks is back and after the disappointing "Street Angel", which was her last solo project released in 1994 it is nice to know that the musical enchantress can still write her heart out. The album features many good songs and a few oddities (“Fall From Grace” an autobiographical effort is a hard rock song that doesn't do the song justice). The good material of which there is plenty consists of the lead single "Everyday" (One of her best songs) to the albums second single "Sorcerer", featuring back up vocals by long-time friend Sheryl Crowe, who also helped produced many of the albums tracks. The album also features vocal harmonies from the likes of Macy Gray, (“Bombay Sapphires”) Natalie Maines (“Too Far From Texas”) and Sarah McLachlan (“Love Is” produced by Sarah’s husband Pierre Marchand). Hands Down her best album since 1985's "Rock A Little". Best song on the album: Everyday
Review: **** out of five

3. Bella Donna: With the success of "Fleetwood Mac" Stevie decided to venture on her own for a solo album that eventually became her best selling album so far. While "Bella Donna" is probably her best album, it also is her only # 1 album. The duets on the album (With Tom Petty and Don Henley) are great songs. Bella Donna the albums title track is also effective. Bust Stevie shines best on the great rock anthem “Edge of Seventeen”. The albums other notable songs include "The Highwaymen", "Think About It" and the single "After The Glitter Fades". A powerful debut from the enchanting Stevie Nicks. Best song on the album: “Edge of Seventeen” Review: ***** out of ifve

4. The Wild Heart: With "The Wild Heart" it is evident that Stevie Nicks is every bit as good a singer on her own as she is with the band Fleetwood Mac. Her follow up to the hugely popular "Bella Donna" is a near carbon copy of it's predecessor with the same kinds of songs and musical productions. While not as classy as "Bella Donna", The Wild Heart is still a good album with lots of radio friendly tracks including the two standouts on the album "Stand Back" and "If Anyone Falls". Tom Petty records his second duet with Stevie on the haunting "I Will Run To You". There are other good offerings too from "Night Bird" to one of her best ballads "Sable on Blond". Another treat for her fans. Best song on the album: "Stand Back", "If Anyone Falls" (Tie)
Review : **** out of five

5. Rock A Little: Since having two careers both as a singer/songwriter for herself and as front woman for the band Fleetwood Mac Stevie Nicks just keeps getting better and better. Her latest offering is the rock infused album called "Rock A Little" and it is one of her best albums. The albums first track is the guitar driven rock anthem "I Can't Wait" which is a great rock number. "Talk To Me" one of the albums singles is also Stevie at her best. The material ranges from the wonderful ballad "Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You?" to the interesting "The Nightmare". A solid effort. Best Song on the Album: Talk To Me
Review: **** out of five

6. Street Angel: After leaving the band "Fleetwood Mac" in 1993 Stevie devoted time to a new record which would be her first album of all new material since 1989's "The Other Side Of The Mirror". While the album has three great songs, the rest of the material is pretty dull. Since her last album nothing has changed much. Stevie is still not content with writing all of her songs anymore. She has relegated herself to writing with other people and in this case recording songs written by other people. Bob Dylan (?) contributes a decent offering "Just Like A Woman”, but the album is further evidence that Stevie may be losing her touch. Stevie shines best on the album's singles "Blue Denim" and "Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind" as well another non-single titled "Kick It". The album is not a complete waste, but it is a major step back for Stevie Nicks. Best song on the album: “Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind”
Review : ** out of five

7. The Other Side Of The Mirror: The success of her last three albums should have told Stevie something When she writes her own material personally the albums work. However this time very few of the tracks are completely written by Stevie and the album suffers. Still while it isn’t a great album, the tracks are good enough to warrant a listen. The catchy "Rooms On Fire" (The album's lead single) is a good tune that I have listened to many times. The romantic duet "Two Kinds of Love" (Recorded with Bruce Hornsby) is another strong effort as are "Cry Wolf" and "Fire Burning". Stevie has had a lot of success but unfortunately this album signalled a decline in record sales for her, which would last for almost a decade untill the release of "Trouble In Shang ri La" 12 years later.
Best song on the album: “Rooms On Fire”
Review : *** out of five