The Death Of Fleetwood Mac...Time

[iamnotafraid]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

I think some of this is rooted in fans trying to one up each other by saying this or that era is better. WHO CARES!!!!! Just enjoy whichever style or era of the band you choose to and let it be at that.

Dude this thread has nothing to do with one-upmanship.
It opened up a dialogue between adults who do like the
band, but are a little tired of the same old threads that
permeate the other forums. I like the back and forth this
thread has offered.

[holidayroad]

Great post, SteveMacD! The line I keep thinking about was that FM has only released 5 albums in 30 years (albums with all new material).
Of course, I love Fleetwood Mac. That's why I'm here. I am mostly a fan of the Rumours era, but I like material from every Fleetwood Mac era.
Still, the Rumours era band has been offered major opportunities. They have been given second (The Dance), third (Say You Will), and fourth chances (Unleashed tour) by industry execs to be the band they could still be.
If I were Fleetwood Mac, I would have ran with these opportunities. I would have put out more material because I would have worried that I may never get another chance. Why they seem to think that the music industry is going to be standing in line waiting for them to offer their material is beyond me and really a self centered attitude. Yes, if I were in the industry, I'd give them every chance in the world, but not everyone in the industry is a Fleetwood Mac fan!
According to what we've read lately, Stevie and Lindsey are both working on solo albums and working, at least in some aspect, together with Dave Stewart. I don't blame them for wanting to make solo albums. Shortly after that, they either need to get a Fleetwood Mac album together or announce they are never going to do another Fleetwood Mac album. If they don't, I think they are making a mistake that could cost Fleetwood Mac the majority of the fans it has left.

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by iamnotafraid

Dude this thread has nothing to do with one-upmanship.
It opened up a dialogue between adults who do like the
band, but are a little tired of the same old threads that
permeate the other forums. I like the back and forth this
thread has offered.

Relax, I wasn't trying to go after you. Sorry if it appeared I was.

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by SteveMacD

Warning, it's long, but worth it:


“Time” didn’t kill Fleetwood Mac. It was merely one more step in what has really been a slow, agonizing death that's been going on for 30 years now.

Thanks for your revisionist account of recent FM history. But what does it have to do with the "death of Fleetwood Mac?" From your summary, it sounds like they have all been busy working on band and solo projects and tours. Sure, there are ups and downs along the road, but that's life: ups and downs. And what was the point of yet again crowbarring in yet another reference to Robert Pollard? Just because he can record a couple of crappy albums quickly (that nobody will buy) does not mean he is some kind of a relevant, vital artist. Quality over quantity, I say. Sure, FM has cranked out only five studio albums in 30 years, but what about the 18 or so solo albums during that period from the Rumours lineup alone? There hasn't been a successful rock group in history that has survived that long without solo projects; what leads them astray is what also leads them back into the fold. I would rather have five group albums in 30 years vs. zero group albums in 30 years.

If all of this music is "agony," then I say bring on the pain; check your morphine drip at the door!

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

Relax, I wasn't trying to go after you. Sorry if it appeared I was.

I just think many of us fans, of the "other forums", get sick of all the people who only like the Rumours incarnation. I wish those people, would stick to those forums. Not saying you, David.



"FM sucks without Steve E. Nicks"...well, bite me!

INDUCT BOB WELCH!!!!

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by holidayroad

If I were Fleetwood Mac, I would have ran with these opportunities. I would have put out more material because I would have worried that I may never get another chance. Why they seem to think that the music industry is going to be standing in line waiting for them to offer their material is beyond me and really a self centered attitude. Yes, if I were in the industry, I'd give them every chance in the world, but not everyone in the industry is a Fleetwood Mac fan!

Yet here we are waiting... anxiously... for them to record more new material. The reason the music industry will take whatever they can get is because the music industry is almost dead- it will take anything it can sell. And because old people have not caught onto illegal downloading like the youngsters, chances are that FM would actually sell legitimate, physical copies of their product, especially if given enhanced retailing strategies, e.g., exclusive WalMart distribution. Nobody has been less prolific than the Eagles, yet, 27 years after their last album, Long Road Out of Eden flew off WalMart shelves... and it was a horrendous album to boot!

[iamnotafraid]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

FM would actually sell legitimate, physical copies of their product, especially if given enhanced retailing strategies, e.g., exclusive WalMart distribution. Nobody has been less prolific than the Eagles, yet, 27 years after their last album, Long Road Out of Eden flew off WalMart shelves... and it was a horrendous album to boot!

Unless WalMart just wasn't interested, I don't know why Fleetwood Mac
didn't go that route. I've had that Eagles album for a few years and still
have not been able to listen to it all the way through. At least I was able
to listen all the way through to TIME. Although I had drink mushroom
tea to get to the end.


DavidMn,
I didn't take that as an attack. You've never attacked me.
I just like the debate this Time and BTM thread has offered.
Both sides have made good points. Although I'm still right,
TIME STINKS and BEHIND THE MASK does too, just a little
less so.

[TerraRhiannon]

Originally Posted by iamnotafraid

Although I'm still right,
TIME STINKS and BEHIND THE MASK does too, just a little
less so.

Awesome, Don't apologize for that !

[holidayroad]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Yet here we are waiting... anxiously... for them to record more new material. The reason the music industry will take whatever they can get is because the music industry is almost dead- it will take anything it can sell. And because old people have not caught onto illegal downloading like the youngsters, chances are that FM would actually sell legitimate, physical copies of their product, especially if given enhanced retailing strategies, e.g., exclusive WalMart distribution. Nobody has been less prolific than the Eagles, yet, 27 years after their last album, Long Road Out of Eden flew off WalMart shelves... and it was a horrendous album to boot!

Of course We're waiting anxiously, we're fans! I meant record companies/execs may not always be waiting around for them. I just think there have been so many missed opportunities. I really don't know if a new album would sell well or not. Of course, I'll buy it, no matter what. I just wish Fleetwood Mac would get it together and record before record companies decide to no longer release music. I can see it coming to that.

[iamnotafraid]

Originally Posted by holidayroad

I just wish Fleetwood Mac would get it together and record before record companies decide to no longer release music. I can see it coming to that.

It's really sad that that's what it's coming to.
This has been a strange year for releases.
Has anyone noticed how many box sets have
been released this year? It's like they're making
one last effort before the CD dies.

Elvis Complete Masters 30 CD's - 814 recordings -
240 page book @ $750.00 + shipping!!!!!!
And the first run of 1000 sets have already sold
out.

I wish Fleetwood Mac would put out a comparable
set. I have no idea how many songs they've put out
since the beginning, but it would be nice to have them
all in one place like the Elvis box set. Though at a
price much cheaper than $750.

[vivfox]

Originally Posted by holidayroad

At the time it happened, I guess I felt they did what they had to do when they brought on Billy and Rick. Now, I think they should have brought in a 'background' guitar player and let Christine and Stevie front the band. (No offense to Billy Burnette, I really like his music!)

What an excellent idea! I never had thought of that. Think of the great albums we could have had. And the two ladies would be forced to sing more of their lesser known songs on stage.

[vivfox]

Originally Posted by holidayroad

I just think there have been so many missed opportunities.

One of our members, states this in every one of her posts.

[ButterCookie]

Originally Posted by vivfox

What an excellent idea! I never had thought of that. Think of the great albums we could have had. And the two ladies would be forced to sing more of their lesser known songs on stage.

In Christine's case, forced is exactly the right word :/ I think she'd have hated that more than anything so I'm glad it didn't happen. We all know she hated touring and I think being thrust into the centre of the stage like that might have been the straw to break the Camels back earlier than it did.

[holidayroad]

Originally Posted by ButterCookie

In Christine's case, forced is exactly the right word :/ I think she'd have hated that more than anything so I'm glad it didn't happen. We all know she hated touring and I think being thrust into the centre of the stage like that might have been the straw to break the Camels back earlier than it did.

Stevie could have stayed more in the focal point on stage. Christine still could have stayed in the background. When they recorded would be when Christine would have had to step to the front.

[SteveMacD]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Thanks for your revisionist account of recent FM history.

Revisionist? How so?

But what does it have to do with the "death of Fleetwood Mac?" From your summary, it sounds like they have all been busy working on band and solo projects and tours. Sure, there are ups and downs along the road, but that's life: ups and downs.

Huh? That's pretty much exactly what they've done, and the band has taken a back seat.

And what was the point of yet again crowbarring in yet another reference to Robert Pollard?

The reason I bring up Robert Pollard is that I’m tired of listening to the endless rants on how Lindsey Buckingham is this great artistic genius/visionary. Really? How hard can it be to be a visionary when he’s only releases a grand total of FOUR studio albums of new material in 23 years, his second being his return to Fleetwood Mac some sixteen years earlier? For better or for worse (WAY better, IMO), Pollard releases FIVE albums in ONE year. This year, he released four albums, a 45, and an EP, did an art show for his collages, did a private solo concert for a capacity 225 people in Dayton, and did a small but successful reunion tour with Guided by Voices in which they were the headline act for Matador At 21 (which featured New Pornographers, Superchunk, Pavement, Belle & Sebastian, Yo La Tengo, and Liz Phair to name a few). That’s just one year.

Just because he can record a couple of crappy albums quickly (that nobody will buy) does not mean he is some kind of a relevant, vital artist.

He’s indie rock. You’ll never see him pray to the hit gods. Warner’s offered big money for GbV, but he turned it down when they asked him to compromise his artistic vision. He’s making music on his terms. He’s doing everything Lindsey Buckingham pays lip service to doing. It’s called integrity.

Quality over quantity, I say.

Sadly, Fleetwood Mac really hasn't given us much of either.