What Should A New Fleetwood Mac Album Sound Like?

[pauls90]

So there's obviously been lots of discussion about if and when there will be a new Fleetwood Mac album. However, I think it would be fun to discuss what a Fleetwood Mac album in 2015 should sound like! What sounds and styles would you like to hear? Should they revisit old ground sonically? What do you imagine the first single sounding like, and whose song are you hoping leads the charge? What outside producers do you think they should bring in?

Just some fun discussion! Keep it cute

http://oi60.tinypic.com/16h2fis.jpg

[FuzzyPlum]

In an interview Christine gave earlier in the year she said the songs she'd done with Lindsey, Mick & John were a mixed bag. Can't recall exactly but I think she said one was really funky, one was bluesy and one was country inspired.

Glad to hear Lindsey say in his recent interview that he took the songs Christine presented to him and 'took a lot of liberties with them'. That's what is needed with her songs. I love In The Meantime but he is able to play around with them and elevate otherwise nice, simple songs to another level of greatness.

I'd love to have an amalgamation of all the styles of everything they've done over the past 40 years.

[michelej1]

http://oi60.tinypic.com/16h2fis.jpg[/CENTER]

I love the way John and Chris are sitting in the chair. Arms, denim legs. I can't tell when one's body begins and the other ends.

Michele

[HomerMcvie]

I think they should play it safe, a la Mirage, and go for the sound that "brought em".

[pauls90]

I think they should play it safe, a la Mirage, and go for the sound that "brought em".

I think a mirage sound would be great considering there are quite a few "indie" bands really getting into the Mirage-Tango era sounds. I think they could definitely put a modern sheen on things and pull it off.

Something like this would be PERFECT (sonically anyway)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edWnWhZKM-I

I think a song that sounds like this would be a good sound for Lindsey as well
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWmQNeGQb7w

I think it would be wise for them to really play up the ethereal/esoteric side of them for this last swan song of an album

[KenB]

I'd love a "safe," Mirage type of sound as well. But anything would be great, really. I just hope they don't attempt anything "danceable," that one new Christine track notwithstanding.

[Macfanforever]

I hope they sound like Fleetwood Mac..LOL...................................

Which they will.

[Macfan4life]

I hope they let it rip for once. Stop being commercial, conservative, or safe. Blast away with total creativity. Lets get them in raw form. I would love to hear some hard rock from them or some kind of things they do live.
I know Chris will bring some beautiful ballads but she can rock too. Maybe she has another Isnt it Midnight in her ;)

[WatchChain]

I hope they let it rip for once. Stop being commercial, conservative, or safe. Blast away with total creativity. Lets get them in raw form. I would love to hear some hard rock from them or some kind of things they do live.
I know Chris will bring some beautiful ballads but she can rock too. Maybe she has another Isnt it Midnight in her ;)

Amen to that. We don't need to hear anything "safe" from this band at this point in their career. The new project should be one of the most artistic, experimental and sublime albums of their catalog. They need to bring in an outside producer like Mitchell Froom or T-Bone Burnett. I always recall when Johnny Cash made an album with Rick Rubin called "The Man Comes Around".

[SteveMacD]

Amen to that. We don't need to hear anything "safe" from this band at this point in their career. The new project should be one of the most artistic, experimental and sublime albums of their catalog. They need to bring in an outside producer like Mitchell Froom or T-Bone Burnett. I always recall when Johnny Cash made an album with Rick Rubin called "The Man Comes Around".

Froom gets my vote for a few reasons, such as his past works with the likes of Richard Thompson and Susanna Hoffs, but mostly because he's already produced Lindsey's songs that I assume are going on the new album.

[sparky]

What SHOULD it sound like? LOL.

Fresh. Innovative. Familiar. Haunting. Bitter. Sweet. Catchy. All at the same time.

What WILL it sound like? Lindsey will be idiosyncratic, neurotic, and annoying. As he has been since Tango. Or he might be just bland. A la Peacekeeper. He may be tamed by forces around him to take all the edges off. Maybe a bad thing. Maybe not.

Chris will be catchy. Warm. Bouncy. With any kind of luck, she may even be sexy like Isn't It Midnight. I am sure the studio can resurrect those honey coated tones. And she has a way with a melody. She will crank out some nice songs with Lindsey to pull her out of her shell. If there is a song that gets airplay (unlikely), it will be hers.

Stevie will probably drag out two tired old 70's demos, scrapping the original melodies that were interesting, because her range doesn't allow her to sing them that way anymore. But she will sing them anyway, and render them shadows of their previous almost greatness. She will toss in one co-write song with music by Sanwertcambellwhatever that she sings three notes over and proclaims her anthem of the ages. It will be ignored in droves and not performed live. Everyone will screech when she twirls twice during a dragging trudging boring Rhiannon on the final tour. And the band will gross over 150 million in farewell tour show receipts.

End. Scene.

[The Juggler]

Harsh but hilarious! :lol:

[HomerMcvie]

What SHOULD it sound like? LOL.

Fresh. Innovative. Familiar. Haunting. Bitter. Sweet. Catchy. All at the same time.

What WILL it sound like? Lindsey will be idiosyncratic, neurotic, and annoying. As he has been since Tango. Or he might be just bland. A la Peacekeeper. He may be tamed by forces around him to take all the edges off. Maybe a bad thing. Maybe not.

Chris will be catchy. Warm. Bouncy. With any kind of luck, she may even be sexy like Isn't It Midnight. I am sure the studio can resurrect those honey coated tones. And she has a way with a melody. She will crank out some nice songs with Lindsey to pull her out of her shell. If there is a song that gets airplay (unlikely), it will be hers.

Stevie will probably drag out two tired old 70's demos, scrapping the original melodies that were interesting, because her range doesn't allow her to sing them that way anymore. But she will sing them anyway, and render them shadows of their previous almost greatness. She will toss in one co-write song with music by Sanwertcambellwhatever that she sings three notes over and proclaims her anthem of the ages. It will be ignored in droves and not performed live. Everyone will screech when she twirls twice during a dragging trudging boring Rhiannon on the final tour. And the band will gross over 150 million in farewell tour show receipts.

End. Scene.

Sparky.is.spot.on. :thumbsup:

[BLY]

It still bugs the sh@& out of me that we only got 5 studio albums out of this line up in 40 years. I'm sure this will be another classic collection with a current sound like the MAC has always stayed true to. We will get at least a handful of new radio type friendly songs like...... Say You Love Me, Second Hand News,Think About Me, Sara, Hold Me and Little Lies...........I'm sure of it and I can't wait.I have always treasured their solo work but this album can't come soon enough.

[jbrownsjr]

I've always felt the Buckingham/McVie collaborations were far superior to anything else. They have a such a superb chemistry within this band. Can't wait to hear what they came up with. I understand they wrote some stuff together in the studio as well. It must be nice for Lindsey to work with her again as she is an accomplished musician.

[BLY]

I've always felt the Buckingham/McVie collaborations were far superior to anything else. They have a such a superb chemistry within this band. Can't wait to hear what they came up with. I understand they wrote some stuff together in the studio as well. It must be nice for Lindsey to work with her again as she is an accomplished musician.

I agree with that! World Turning, Dont Stop, Think About Me, Hold Me, Mystfied and Isn't Midnight are stand out tracks....just to name a few.

[PenguinHead]

It still bugs the sh@& out of me that we only got 5 studio albums out of this line up in 40 years.

It's astonishingly sad how meager their output has been. After a very productive roll between 1975-1979, progress began to sputter. When Mirage was released three years later, it was actually hailed as a reunion. After that, priorities shifted, and all expectations went out the window. We'd certainly have a larger body of work if they reunited every three years!

I suppose we can try to assuage ourselves with a quality over quantity mindset, and with all of the solo albums that filled the gaps in the ensuing years.

What should a new Fleetwood Mac album sound like? Dispensing assumptions and expectations, a new album with just Lindsey at the helm might sound somewhat similar to his more recent solo records (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). On the other hand, if he co-produces with some one like T Bone Burnett, the results might be less idiosyncratic and more dynamic and satisfying. (I'm a big fan of Sam Phillips, T Bone's ex-wife, whose albums he used to produce.)

With the exception of Fleetwood Mac/Rumors, their proceeding albums all have an distinct, individual sound. I hope the new album stands out in that manner.

[Tango]

It's astonishingly sad how meager their output has been. After a very productive roll between 1975-1979, progress began to sputter. When Mirage was released three years later, it was actually hailed as a reunion.



That's part of the problem with having such early success (insane, incredible success) with the Rumours Generation. They had extraordinary money in their pockets and weren't hungry like so many other bands are. They have said it themselves--money in their pockets, money in the washing machine, etc. Even today, they are bloated--except for Mick. He can't hold on to a buck for nothing! Were it not for Mick, this band would be totally broken up. SO: thank you Mick for being a poor financial steward!

[WatchChain]

Froom gets my vote for a few reasons, such as his past works with the likes of Richard Thompson and Susanna Hoffs, but mostly because he's already produced Lindsey's songs that I assume are going on the new album.

I LOVE LOVE Richard Thompson! His Froom produced work is brilliant. I also like Froom's work on Suzanne Vega's "99.9F Degrees".

[FuzzyPlum]

I've just listened to Mystified about ten times over.

I think it must rank as Fleetwood Mac's must underrated song (or at least top 3).
The vocals of both Christine and Lindsey are like smooth chocolate together. This features some of Lindsey's finest guitar playing...just played straight, not trying to be clever (remember this Lindsey?).
Christine's lyrics aren't exactly deep- in fact, they are perhaps even simpler than most of her songs (which is saying something). However, they lend themselves well to what is a tender, laid back, chilled piece of music. It also reminds me of Warm Ways in its simplicity.

I'd be a very happy man if Lindsey has done something like this to Christine's recent material. A couple of Mystified-esque songs on a new album would be very welcome as far as I'm concerned.

[jbrownsjr]

I've just listened to Mystified about ten times over.

I think it must rank as Fleetwood Mac's must underrated song (or at least top 3).
The vocals of both Christine and Lindsey are like smooth chocolate together. This features some of Lindsey's finest guitar playing...just played straight, not trying to be clever (remember this Lindsey?).
Christine's lyrics aren't exactly deep- in fact, they are perhaps even simpler than most of her songs (which is saying something). However, they lend themselves well to what is a tender, laid back, chilled piece of music. It also reminds me of Warm Ways in its simplicity.

I'd be a very happy man if Lindsey has done something like this to Christine's recent material. A couple of Mystified-esque songs on a new album would be very welcome as far as I'm concerned.

I love Mystified. Their collaborations are always so genuine and profound. I remember when I bought the 45 single for Big Love and I would listen to the back side. (You And I part 1). It was such a departure from the normal sound of Fleetwood Mac. You can most certainly hear Lindsey and Christine's relationship in their music. I believe their muse is the strongest in the band, and it's so refreshing to see them so friendly on stage. The three shows at the Forum they looked at each other so much it was comical. I love when he buries his head in Christine's stomach. He did it three times in LA. lol

[michelej1]

I believe their muse is the strongest in the band, and it's so refreshing to see them so friendly on stage. The three shows at the Forum they looked at each other so much it was comical.

They looked at each other a lot during The Dance as well. He would basically stare at her, when he was not as his mic singing. When he's at his mic and turns right, he usually looks at Stevie, but if he's not singing, he's looking at Christine.

Michele

[elle]

I love Mystified. Their collaborations are always so genuine and profound. I remember when I bought the 45 single for Big Love and I would listen to the back side. (You And I part 1). It was such a departure from the normal sound of Fleetwood Mac. You can most certainly hear Lindsey and Christine's relationship in their music. I believe their muse is the strongest in the band, and it's so refreshing to see them so friendly on stage. The three shows at the Forum they looked at each other so much it was comical. I love when he buries his head in Christine's stomach. He did it three times in LA. lol

friendship? respect? muse? what are these things you are talking about? looking at someone other than Nicks? are you dreaming?? every shipper will tell you he only does these things to make Stevie jealous. :p :lol:

[jbrownsjr]

friendship? respect? muse? what are these things you are talking about? looking at someone other than Nicks? are you dreaming?? every shipper will tell you he only does these things to make Stevie jealous. :p :lol:

LOL... Christine and Lindsey are in love dammit!!! And he's going to break up with Kristen after the tour and she will scream Hold Me and he will say Don't Stop because you make lovin fun! I know you don't get it, but I see it!!:lol:

[nicole21290]

friendship? respect? muse? what are these things you are talking about? looking at someone other than Nicks? are you dreaming?? every shipper will tell you he only does these things to make Stevie jealous. :p :lol:

I'm a shipper
I have never said that and I don't believe it at all

I would say 90% or more of 'shippers' have absolutely no problem with him looking at others, with him respecting and being a friend to Chris, with their co-writes, etc. It only get frustrating when the media/fans push HARD (occasionally with digs at S/L or their fans) or when it's accompianed by a decrease in interaction with Stevie. That's my experience, anyway.

I mean, I'd welcome a first single off this album being a Christine song, or a Christine/Lindsey co-write with good harmonies. Nice and hooky.

[michelej1]

Now Lindsey will have to issue a clarification (or Mick will do it) saying that he didn't mean it would be the last, the swansong, exactly, he just meant it would be near the last, the pentultimate or something.

Michele

[cascade13]

I highly doubt they'll return to it, but my favorite FM (or close to it) sound since Tango was on "Twisted." I can't really describe that sound in technical detail, or how Lindsey achieved it, but it just sounds less over-produced and sterile than most of his recent efforts. More "Never Going Back Again" than "Red Rover"…more "I Don't Want to Know" than "Everybody Finds Out." Something more rootsy/warm and less glossy.

[Say You Will]

I've always felt the Buckingham/McVie collaborations were far superior to anything else. They have a such a superb chemistry within this band. Can't wait to hear what they came up with. I understand they wrote some stuff together in the studio as well. It must be nice for Lindsey to work with her again as she is an accomplished musician.

I agree 100% with you. I feel Lindsey is at his absolute best when he works with Christine. Working with her pulls out his musical genius and her natural talent benefits greatly from his production values..

[Lisa W]

I would love to hear a new album that has the warmth of the songs on the Tusk album. I love Save Me a Place, Honey Hi, Over and Over, and Beautiful Child. Basically songs that are simply produced that bring out the vocal strengths of the songwriters.

[BLY]

Having Christine back in the studio will bring Lindsey back to what he has always done to create that classic Fleetwood Mac sound. Say You Will had sprinkles of it on some of the tracks but also had a solo feels to it ( I'm sure because we had the GOS songs) and Stevie came in after most of the music was recorded. The same thing will happen with this album with Stevie but having Christine there early on will not make it sound like solo albums meshed together.

[Kubrick2788]

"Twisted" was a great piece of work from Lindsey and Stevie. That would've been great on a post-Dance 5 member album. And if we could get songs from Christine like "Over and Over" on the possibly coming album I'd be glad. She really shines on Tusk.

[BlueDenimLamp]

"Twisted" was a great piece of work from Lindsey

Yes Stevie was so happy with LB's work on "Twisted" that she re-recorded it and put it on "24 Karat Gold".

Wonder what LB thinks of that? She might be sending him a message.

[elle]

Yes Stevie was so happy with LB's work on "Twisted" that she re-recorded it and put it on "24 Karat Gold".

Wonder what LB thinks of that? She might be sending him a message.

:lol: a message that she doesn't want to work on any new music with him? i think he got that one, repeatedly. ;)

so in your opinion, why doesn't she have the courage to actually make a clean break and leave the band you obviously think she so loathes to be a part of?

[secret love]

I think that any new album from Fleetwood Mac will sound a lot like Tango in the Night

I say this because it will have a stack of excellent Lindsey/Christine collaborations, some ground-breaking Christine songs, some esoteric guitar-oriented songs from Lindsey and three short, sweet songs from Stevie which will be love it or hate it songs.

[TrueFaith77]

It should either sound like Tusk or like a Bryan Ferry album.

[PenguinHead]

Yes Stevie was so happy with LB's work on "Twisted" that she re-recorded it and put it on "24 Karat Gold".

Wonder what LB thinks of that? She might be sending him a message.

I don't understand the assumption that Stevie recorded a new version of Twisted as a signal that she didn't like Lindsey's arrangement.

Lindsey and Stevie recorded it as a duet, featured on a sound track album. Soundtrack albums usually have a short shelf-life fall into obscurity. Even between that version, the demo version on her Enchanted box set, the song still remains rather obscure. I think Stevie's intentions were entirely benevolent; she wanted give the song more exposure by featuring it on her album as a solo number, and not as a slight/message to Lindsey. It was a similar situation when she re-recorded Crystal as a solo song. I can't imagine Lindsey seeing it as some sort of protest against him. That seems silly and juvenile.

[PenguinHead]

It should either sound like Tusk or like a Bryan Ferry album.

I support a little bit of both! Bryan Ferry? I would have never thought of him.

Tango in the Night is great for what it is, but I hope they go a little more organic, warm and earthy. Lindsey, take your hands off the sound effects buttons!

[Lisa W]

I support a little bit of both! Bryan Ferry? I would have never thought of him.

Tango in the Night is great for what it is, but I hope they go a little more organic, warm and earthy. Lindsey, take your hands off the sound effects buttons!

I agree with this so much! They don't need so many added effects to sound incredible. Going a bit stripped back would be a nice change.

[Jondalar]

It should sound like Fleetwood Mac.

[nicole21290]

I don't understand the assumption that Stevie recorded a new version of Twisted as a signal that she didn't like Lindsey's arrangement.

Lindsey and Stevie recorded it as a duet, featured on a sound track album. Soundtrack albums usually have a short shelf-life fall into obscurity. Even between that version, the demo version on her Enchanted box set, the song still remains rather obscure. I think Stevie's intentions were entirely benevolent; she wanted give the song more exposure by featuring it on her album as a solo number, and not as a slight/message to Lindsey. It was a similar situation when she re-recorded Crystal as a solo song. I can't imagine Lindsey seeing it as some sort of protest against him. That seems silly and juvenile.

Easier to believe Stevie is stuck in a playground mentality apparently... There's the slightest hint of 'I like the demo better' in this comment below she made on iHeart Radio but I do think the primary reason for re-recording was to finally have a version on a proper album of hers so it would gain more exposure and be heard more. She was very stuck on the idea that people had missed the song (and particularly the MEANING) when she wrote about it for Enchanted.

"‘Twisted’ was written in 1995 for a movie called ‘Twister’ and I was actually approached to write it for this movie. So I kinda, uh, I went and saw the movie without any music in it and really, uh, you know, got the gist of what these crazy people do when they follow these tornadoes around in cars and, um, are almost killed, and why they do it is to protect us and to be able, you know, warn the, uh, American public or wherever that there’s a tornado coming. And, um, so, it was pretty, you know, pretty violent and scary and so I went and I wrote this song called ‘Twisted’ and, um, uh, I recorded it with Lindsey for the movie and, uh, we did a, uh, you know, we did a movie version of this song. And, um, years and years later - like a couple of months ago - I was listening to, uh, some demos and the ‘Twister’ demo that I had originally made in my house in Phoenix, um, came on and at first I didn’t recognize it because it’s very, very different than the version that went in the movie. And I just went like, I just love this song and I think song deserves another chance because I think any song that goes into a movie - unless it’s a huge, you know, unless it’s like a, you know, Terminator movie or something - is gonna be heard, seen for a second and never thought of again. So I thought this song deserves to be re—recorded and re-done and so I just decided that it should be on this record. So I took it with me to Nashville and, of course, they did it exactly like my demo which I loved because that’s the way I really always wanted it to be, anyway. And it’s, you know, it’s not just a song about tornadoes; it’s a song about when a man or a woman comes into your life and they are a tornado and they almost just wipe you out and, uh, so it’s, it is a love song. And it’s kind of a crazy love song and, um, I’m very proud of it because it is so much what I always wanted it to be and I hope everybody, you know, everybody has their ‘She Loves Him Still’ and everybody has their tornado. So, this is for all the tornadoes in peoples’ lives that are actually human."

[jbrownsjr]

^^^^ Thanks for the quote... I think that's more than a hint. :lol:

[SteveMacD]

I just listened to the new version and was underwelmed. The movie version was epic by comparison.

[jbrownsjr]

I just listened to the new version and was underwelmed. The movie version was epic by comparison.

It's not a great tune. I was so excited to buy it because I thought the B/N revisited thing would make the music come alive. It sure did not. Having said that, the 24K is so generic compared to the B/N version.

[PenguinHead]

^^^^ Thanks for the quote... I think that's more than a hint. :lol:

It seems far from being a dig toward Lindsey. She didn't say she disliked the duo version; she just loves the song and wanted to revisit it and tweak it to sound more like the demo. I hear absolutely no hint of spiteful drama in her explanation.

[jbrownsjr]

It's far from being a dig toward Lindsey. She didn't say she disliked the duo version; she just loves the song and wanted to revisit it and tweak it to sound more like the demo. I hear absolutely no hint of spiteful drama in her explanation.

Don't really see it as a dig towards Lindsey, those are perhaps your thoughts. Nicole simply said, "There's the slightest hint of 'I like the demo better' in this comment below"

I agreed.

[DauphineMarie]

I think it should represent different aspects of their other albums... A warm and light and fun guitar track, a driving guitar solo-oriented thing featuring the three contributing singers, a quirky Lindsey song (wouldn't be complete without it) a mystical Stevie song about love and birds and mythical creatures, and a rock-solid Chris song with a great rhythm section. Throw in some funky Tango-inspired tracks and some flowing creativity, and it really could be a great showcase...

I also think it would be nice to have a popular, well-played single. And if it sounds too "mellow classic rock" it will go nowhere, so if chart success is an objective, then an 80's inspired sound has to happen, possibly with Stevie on vocals, considering she has had the most exposure to young people the last few years. If not, then all three of them (preferably).

[moon]

One thing I know is that I really don't want to hear something like SYW, or something with lot of songs with a very fast acoustic guitar. PLEASE, NO!!!!!!!!

With Chris on board, that Must change. But, we won't hear something like Mirage or Tango, and not like Rumours or Tusk, for sure. I don't want songs like the EP ones, so it's hard to say...but maybe an album with an "old" sound would be great!
Regards!

[TrueFaith77]

I love both the Twister version and the 24K version. :)

[louielouie2000]

One thing I know is that I really don't want to hear something like SYW, or something with lot of songs with a very fast acoustic guitar. PLEASE, NO!!!!!!!!

I couldn't disagree more. I feel Lindsey's 21st century fast-acoustic songs like Bel Air Rain, Rock Away Blind, Red Rover, Shut Us Down, etc are the best individual songs of his career. Not just that, those type songs are truly unique in style and are what sets Lindsey apart from other artists.

What I really wouldn't want to hear from him is more middle of the road gutless dreck like his EP and recent soundtrack contributions. :eek: Say what you will about Lindsey's fast-acoustic songs, but they have artistic teeth to them.

[PenguinHead]

I've just listened to Mystified about ten times over.

I think it must rank as Fleetwood Mac's must underrated song (or at least top 3).
The vocals of both Christine and Lindsey are like smooth chocolate together. This features some of Lindsey's finest guitar playing...just played straight, not trying to be clever (remember this Lindsey?).
Christine's lyrics aren't exactly deep- in fact, they are perhaps even simpler than most of her songs (which is saying something). However, they lend themselves well to what is a tender, laid back, chilled piece of music. It also reminds me of Warm Ways in its simplicity.

Mystified is as light as air, but a fine rarefied air indeed! It's not meant to be a song of message, but one of mood and atmosphere. The spare, uncluttered lyrics compliment Lindsey's musical arrangement, creating an easy listening landscape; a pillow-like album track that doesn't demand much from the listener.

[cascade13]

I couldn't disagree more. I feel Lindsey's 21st century fast-acoustic songs like Bel Air Rain, Rock Away Blind, Red Rover, Shut Us Down, etc are the best individual songs of his career. Not just that, those type songs are truly unique in style and are what sets Lindsey apart from other artists.

What I really wouldn't want to hear from him is more middle of the road gutless dreck like his EP and recent soundtrack contributions. :eek: Say what you will about Lindsey's fast-acoustic songs, but they have artistic teeth to them.

Would I be splitting hairs too much by talking about the "sound" of songs versus their artistic integrity? Part of what brings me back to the White Album and Rumours is their warmth, for lack of a better word. On the albums since then, Lindsey seems to aim for a more detached, sterile feel. "Red Rover" is a great example, especially compared to the studio versions of, say, "Never Going Back Again" or "Landslide," which are largely acoustic guitar-based aside from the vocals. It's not necessarily the speed of Lindsey's playing, or even the layering of his vocals (which admittedly isn't my favorite effect), but something else in the acoustics. To my ear, "Twisted" is the closest they've come to that older sound. Maybe someone with a little better handle on music production can clarify what they're hearing?

[louielouie2000]

Would I be splitting hairs too much by talking about the "sound" of songs versus their artistic integrity? Part of what brings me back to the White Album and Rumours is their warmth, for lack of a better word. On the albums since then, Lindsey seems to aim for a more detached, sterile feel. "Red Rover" is a great example, especially compared to the studio versions of, say, "Never Going Back Again" or "Landslide," which are largely acoustic guitar-based aside from the vocals. It's not necessarily the speed of Lindsey's playing, or even the layering of his vocals (which admittedly isn't my favorite effect), but something else in the acoustics. To my ear, "Twisted" is the closest they've come to that older sound. Maybe someone with a little better handle on music production can clarify what they're hearing?

I definitely agree about the missing warmth in Fleetwood Mac's/Lindsey's 21st century music. Actually, Richard Dashut commented on how even Stevie's latest album lacked that warm sound. In any event, I don't blame the modern coldness on Lindsey's skills as a musician, but instead on his skills as a producer. This is why I've wished for the return of Richard Dashut & Ken Caillat into any future Mac recordings. I think a hugely essential part of the FM magic sound was lost when the band parted ways with those two.

That being said, there are exceptions where I think Lindsey has really exceeded as a producer. The cold metallic sheen he implements on songs such as Bel Air Rain and Rock Away Blind is what makes those songs utterly sparkle out of speakers. Any sort of warmth in the production of those songs would have blunted that effect. Lindsey can also pull off warmth in production when he wants to. Songs like Down On Rodeo and Destiny Rules are beautiful examples. :)

[chiliD]

Part of what brings me back to the White Album and Rumours is their warmth, for lack of a better word.

And, those two albums were recorded on ANALOG TAPE...not a digital computer hard drive. And, using a tube (or "valve" for the Brits) powered mixing board.

Not too many recording studios still using tape. So, maybe they should use Dave Grohl's studio to record their next album (since he's got the old Neve mixing board that was at Sound City).

[SteveMacD]

And, those two albums were recorded on ANALOG TAPE...not a digital computer hard drive. And, using a tube (or "valve" for the Brits) powered mixing board.

Not too many recording studios still using tape. So, maybe they should use Dave Grohl's studio to record their next album (since he's got the old Neve mixing board that was at Sound City).
Were the Sound City boards tube? I only ask because the studio I record in has the old Electrodyne console from Sigma studio in Philadelphia, and it's solid state.

[BlueDenimLamp]

Some info on "Sound City" and the Neve 8078 console "Sound City" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_City_Studios)

[elle]

What I really wouldn't want to hear from him is more middle of the road gutless dreck like his EP and recent soundtrack contributions. :eek: Say what you will about Lindsey's fast-acoustic songs, but they have artistic teeth to them.

:lol: Trouble and Italian Summer are middle of the road poppy adult contemporary gutless dreck. song like Sad Angel from *his* EP is light years better song than these; it doesn't even compare. :nod:

[pauls90]

In any event, I don't blame the modern coldness on Lindsey's skills as a musician, but instead on his skills as a producer.

I think you're onto something here.

The right producer might be able to put what Fleetwood Mac actually is (and was) into perspective a bit more than what the 5 might be able to do on their own. Years and years of drama, solo albums, hiatuses, and egos might still be a fog they will have to maneuver through. Now who that would be I don't know. I honestly think Rick Rubin would be the best choice in helping them really deliver something amazing but also keep them going in a good direction without letting certain members overly indulge.

[elle]

I definitely agree about the missing warmth in Fleetwood Mac's/Lindsey's 21st century music. Actually, Richard Dashut commented on how even Stevie's latest album lacked that warm sound. In any event, I don't blame the modern coldness on Lindsey's skills as a musician, but instead on his skills as a producer. This is why I've wished for the return of Richard Dashut & Ken Caillat into any future Mac recordings. I think a hugely essential part of the FM magic sound was lost when the band parted ways with those two.

That being said, there are exceptions where I think Lindsey has really exceeded as a producer. The cold metallic sheen he implements on songs such as Bel Air Rain and Rock Away Blind is what makes those songs utterly sparkle out of speakers. Any sort of warmth in the production of those songs would have blunted that effect. Lindsey can also pull off warmth in production when he wants to. Songs like Down On Rodeo and Destiny Rules are beautiful examples. :)

some interesting points! also something to remember - "warm" Down on Rodeo came from the same GOS production sessions as "cold" Red Rover. Come came from the same sessions too.

Lindsey is just very versatile and not easily pinned down to style, seems to like and is interested in many different musical styles, and can go in any of the several very different musical directions. when i first started listening to his music, being pulled in by perfect warm melodic pop of Second Hand News, these many different musical directions was something completely frustrating to me. how can the same guy write Rodeo, Steal Your Heart Away, Bleed to Love Her, Red Rover, Gift of Screws, Time Precious Time, Tusk, Go Your Own Way, Trouble, Second Hand News, and Say Goodbye? some of those songs i absolutely adore, while others i absolutely despise. and they definitely don't nearly fit in the same musical genre.

[welcomechris]

like rumours

[elle]

Would I be splitting hairs too much by talking about the "sound" of songs versus their artistic integrity? Part of what brings me back to the White Album and Rumours is their warmth, for lack of a better word. On the albums since then, Lindsey seems to aim for a more detached, sterile feel. "Red Rover" is a great example, especially compared to the studio versions of, say, "Never Going Back Again" or "Landslide," which are largely acoustic guitar-based aside from the vocals. It's not necessarily the speed of Lindsey's playing, or even the layering of his vocals (which admittedly isn't my favorite effect), but something else in the acoustics. To my ear, "Twisted" is the closest they've come to that older sound. Maybe someone with a little better handle on music production can clarify what they're hearing?

see, too my ears White Album and Rumours have a completely different sound and production. White Album is cold, disconnected collection of some good and some exceptional songs sounding completely boring when put together. warmth you are talking about and that you hear in soundtrack version of Twisted is similar to Dashut-Caillat-Buckingham warmth of Rumours. Thrown Down from SYW has that similar sound, and that may be why so many fans of Rumours sound seem to latch onto it so much.

this difference in sound and warmth actually makes sense, considering the producer of White Album is Keith Olsen.

like you, i'm just describing what i'm hearing and feeling when hearing it and would love to hear opinions of people with at least some handle on music production.

[tabruns]

Here's what I'd love to hear:

Stevie Nicks songs that rival her brilliant set for the Tusk album.

Christine McVie songs that reach the heights of her best pop music, ala "Say You Love Me," "You Make Lovin' Fun," "Everywhere".

Lindsey Buckingham songs that bridge the gap between radio candy ("Go Your Own Way" or "Second Hand News") and eccentric genius ("Tusk")

[FuzzyPlum]

Would I be splitting hairs too much by talking about the "sound" of songs versus their artistic integrity? Part of what brings me back to the White Album and Rumours is their warmth, for lack of a better word.

Perhaps there are different interpretations of 'warmth' but in addition to those two I don't exactly find Tusk to be cold either. To my ears, even Lindsey's songs have a soft 'warmth' on Tusk.

I'd like an album of around 12 songs (though a double album released in two volumes would be ideal).

I'd like a good, creative, interesting, striking cover.

[DauphineMarie]

Just out of curiousity, and without any personal agenda or opinion, what about the chances of Richard Dashut's return to the mixing board?

[welcomechris]

Just out of curiousity, and without any personal agenda or opinion, what about the chances of Richard Dashut's return to the mixing board?

you should ask him:rolleyes:

[PenguinHead]

Here's what I'd love to hear:

Stevie Nicks songs that rival her brilliant set for the Tusk album.

Christine McVie songs that reach the heights of her best pop music, ala "Say You Love Me," "You Make Lovin' Fun," "Everywhere".

Lindsey Buckingham songs that bridge the gap between radio candy ("Go Your Own Way" or "Second Hand News") and eccentric genius ("Tusk")

Those expectations set the bar high, but they accurately describe everything most of us hope for; a cohesive and balanced blend of each of their individual attributes.

[PenguinHead]

Just out of curiousity, and without any personal agenda or opinion, what about the chances of Richard Dashut's return to the mixing board?

I think Richard is dealing with some health issues. I don't think he'd subject himself to the demands of that job.

[michelej1]

:lol: Trouble and Italian Summer are middle of the road poppy adult contemporary gutless dreck. song like Sad Angel from *his* EP is light years better song than these; it doesn't even compare. :nod:

Sad Angel is not better than Trouble.

Michele

[elle]

Sad Angel is not better than Trouble.

Michele

you know how you say sometimes that you hate that Little Lies album version defined the sound of FM for people? that's how i feel about Trouble just million times worse.

first of all i can listen to album version of LL, although don't like it much. and i love this year's live version! i can't listen to any version of Trouble, live or even worse album. once when the album version moves on from those promising weird starting sounds into blah boring middle of the road gutless (i like that characterization for it!) pop song. it may be a good pop song but of the kind of pop i can't stand.

plus Trouble defines Lindsey's solo career for people who know nothing about his music, and they seem think that's pinnacle of his solo output (cause it charted the highest). it saddens me to no end. plus i am still subjected to it at his solo shows. lose-lose. :distress:

[Macfanforever]

At this point .I really dont care if the Mac album just have a solid tone like the EBS system "Emergency Broadcast System" with Stevie,Lindsey and Chris holding the note.LOL............................................................

I like Trouble.

The album should be fine.

[jbrownsjr]

Sad Angel is not better than Trouble.

Michele

Agreed!!! Damn you Elle and your hatred for one of my fav Lindsey tunes. :mad:;)

[SteveMacD]

I don't get the hate for "Trouble" either. But, we all have our opinions. I mean, I'd be just as happy if Fleetwood Mac went on as a quartet without Stevie and not talk about this "last act" crap. I'd rather have the "we'll quit when we're good and dead" mantra, but by the time Stevie gets her head out of her butt, they might all be dead anyway.

[pauls90]

Here's what I'd love to hear:

Stevie Nicks songs that rival her brilliant set for the Tusk album.



Wouldn't we all....

[tabruns]

Re: "Trouble"

It's very catchy, and I've often thought that if it had been on the Mirage album, they could have mimicked Rumours' singles run of: Buckingham/Nicks/McVie/McVie ("Go Your Own Way," "Dreams," "Don't Stop," and "You Make Lovin' Fun") with "Trouble," "Gypsy," "Hold Me," and "Love in Store". Similar to how they mimicked it on Tango with "Big Love," "Seven Wonders," "Little Lies," and "Everywhere".

[tabruns]

I'm also still hoping for a double album, titled Red Sun, after one of the Buckingham/McVie songs they've recorded. I love the imagery of that, especially if it really is meant to be their last album. And if its their last, they really should go out with a double.

[SteveMacD]

I'm also still hoping for a double album, titled Red Sun, after one of the Buckingham/McVie songs they've recorded. I love the imagery of that, especially if it really is meant to be their last album. And if its their last, they really should go out with a double.
I'd rather have two albums.

[pauls90]

I'm also still hoping for a double album, titled Red Sun, after one of the Buckingham/McVie songs they've recorded. I love the imagery of that, especially if it really is meant to be their last album. And if its their last, they really should go out with a double.

Wow. I'm actually obsessed with the idea of that title.

Though the possibility of a double might more or less teeter on the quality of material Stevie will or will not eventually produce.

[michelej1]

Agreed!!! Damn you Elle and your hatred for one of my fav Lindsey tunes. :mad:;)

Now, I wouldn't defend Holiday Road or even Did You Miss Me, but Elle's treatment of Trouble is unconscionable.

Michele

[moon]

I couldn't disagree more. I feel Lindsey's 21st century fast-acoustic songs like Bel Air Rain, Rock Away Blind, Red Rover, Shut Us Down, etc are the best individual songs of his career. Not just that, those type songs are truly unique in style and are what sets Lindsey apart from other artists.

What I really wouldn't want to hear from him is more middle of the road gutless dreck like his EP and recent soundtrack contributions. :eek: Say what you will about Lindsey's fast-acoustic songs, but they have artistic teeth to them.

Mmmm I like your point of view, thanks! :)
I won't deny that his style and his way to play are simply amazing, and that's why I really like his contributions. I really enjoyed One Man Show!

Well, anyway, it's OK, he can create those songs for a solo album, but for a FM album, I think he can -or would, or must- create another kind of songs. I guess they've got lot of tracks from the Mirage and the Tango sessions. Why they don't work with those? Stevie re-recorded herself The Dealer for her last album, and it was from the Tusk sessions too...And Christine maybe returned with a box of surprises! What I'm saying, is that they can sound like the 80s Mac, but maybe closer to the 21st century sound.

Regards!
Mark.

[jbrownsjr]

I'm also still hoping for a double album, titled Red Sun, after one of the Buckingham/McVie songs they've recorded. I love the imagery of that, especially if it really is meant to be their last album. And if its their last, they really should go out with a double.

I love the imagery of that, too!

[aleuzzi]

see, too my ears White Album and Rumours have a completely different sound and production. White Album is cold, disconnected collection of some good and some exceptional songs sounding completely boring when put together. warmth you are talking about and that you hear in soundtrack version of Twisted is similar to Dashut-Caillat-Buckingham warmth of Rumours. Thrown Down from SYW has that similar sound, and that may be why so many fans of Rumours sound seem to latch onto it so much.

this difference in sound and warmth actually makes sense, considering the producer of White Album is Keith Olsen.

like you, i'm just describing what i'm hearing and feeling when hearing it and would love to hear opinions of people with at least some handle on music production.

I've always loved the bright production sound on the white album. But you are right in noting that the album sounds very different from Rumours. One of Olsen's decisions was to bring the bass and drums up more prominently in the mix. That gives the album a kind of solid underpinning but, at the same time, it's rather light on the top end--comparatively little integration of guitar or vocals into the mix. As songs, Rhiannon, Warm Ways, and Say You Love benefit much from the production. Others, however, seem to want to open up more.

I wish the bass was featured more in the mix from Rumours, but other than that, it has a warm, integrated feeling. And the musicians appear to be more confident. Lindsey in particular.

[On Ice]

My hope for the sound of the new album (and I believe we will see one, sometime in 2016) is an earthy rhythm section driven sound with just the right amounts of guitar and keyboard with three part hamonies on every track (a guy can dream can't he) every song will be cowritten with one individual track from each writer :shrug:

[SteveMacD]

On song featuring the lead vocal styling of John McVie. (And, it's the best song on the album.)

[chiliD]

"Lizard People, part 2":thumbsup:

[nicepace]

The new album should showcase the vocal ability of all three singers, and specifically, should emphasize the wonderful sound of the three singers harmonizing with one another. I think they should go beyond putting a little backing vocals on each other's songs (as they did on Say You Will), and feature real vocal collaborations. I was just listening to a Buckingham/Nicks live version of "I Don't Want To Know," and Lindsey and Stevie sounded great, singing the entire song together.

I want to hear more songs like that, and I want to hear a couple of Lindsey/Christine collaborations, and I want to hear a song where all three of them either sing together for the entire song or at least trade lead vocals for the entire song. And I want to hear a song where Christine and Stevie share the lead vocal. I think a song with the lead shared by the two ladies of the band would get a lot of attention.

In other words, I want a band album. If this winds up sounding like three solo EPs mixed together I will be disappointed.

[michelej1]

1/21/2015 Good for Utah

http://www.good4utah.com/story/d/story/adam-readers-list-of-the-five-most-anticipated-alb/77375/MdnMAdLYm0mH5vemF8gLig

Adam Reader's List of the Five Most Anticipated Albums of 2015

Fleetwood Mac

There remains unfinished business for Fleetwood Mac. Their last album, 2003's Say You Will, was given a lukewarm response by most critics. Now they have announced the On With the Show tour for 2014 and 2015, and even though they've had 3 successful tours over the last decade and a half, they haven't found that old magic in the studio that they perfected on masterpieces like Rumours and Tusk. But keyboardist and vocalist Christine McVie - who has been missing in action since 1998 - has gloriously returned, which could light a creative fire under the band. In fact, multi-instrumentalist Lindsey Buckingham said eight songs were mostly done with seven of them co-written by McVie. Very exciting the Mac is back.

[PenguinHead]

At this point .I really dont care if the Mac album just have a solid tone like the EBS system "Emergency Broadcast System" with Stevie,Lindsey and Chris holding the note.LOL............................................................

I like Trouble.

The album should be fine.

I like Trouble too. It's a harmless, undemanding pleasant little piece of ear candy; sort of like a Buddy Holly song circa 1981.