Poll: best song from 1988-1995

[Mr Scarrott]

As I can't remember if this has ever been done, I just throught I would gauge the board's opinion about the best song that FM produced in the (almost completely) Lindsey-less years. It may not have been the best of times, but there was the odd good moment or two.

[aleuzzi]

Sooner or Later

or:

Hollywood

[HomerMcvie]

It's a tie between ALAYF and Love Shines. I went with Love Shines. I've always had a soft spot for it.

[Mr Scarrott]

Sooner or Later

or:

Hollywood

I really like Sooner or Later- there's an atmospeheric feel there that could almost have worked on TITN. I wanted to include it in the poll, but wanted to at at least offer a couple of Stevie choices, not that in my heart of heart I reallly felt they merited being there...

[Villavic]

ALAYF will be always my favorite from that period. I dare say it will win this poll.

Although is not very popular, I like Behind the Mask, too.And you may find weird, but I don't like Save Me. But not surprise I don't have a Stevie favorite song from those years, but I'd included Affairs of the Heart instead of Paper Doll. I like AOTH even though it's not a great peace of art.

[WalkAThinLine.]

ALAYF will be always my favorite from that period. I dare say it will win this poll.

Although is not very popular, I like Behind the Mask, too.And you may find weird, but I don't like Save Me. But not surprise I don't have a Stevie favorite song from those years, but I'd included Affairs of the Heart instead of Paper Doll. I like AOTH even though it's not a great peace of art.

There are actually quite a few very good songs from this era, some of which I listen to more frequently than their material from 1975-87. My selection was "Save Me" due to its jubilant energy, but the other selections in the poll are also very enjoyable. "As Long As You Follow" took some time to appreciate, but I now regard the song as a very solid Christine McVie offering. I have always enjoyed the shoegaze feel of "No Questions Asked", which differs a bit from Stevie's other Fleetwood Mac tracks around that time. And "Behind the Mask" is also a terrific song. I love Lindsey's acoustic guitar interlude.

[SteveMacD]

“Love Shines” and it’s not especially close.

[FuzzyPlum]

As Long As You Follow just ahead of Love Shines. Both great tunes that would have been absolute stand outs for a rumours-era band release.

[FuzzyPlum]

It’s pretty crazy No Questions Asked and Paper Doll get an inclusion, just in the interests of a token gesture for including SN.

[Mr Scarrott]

It’s pretty crazy No Questions Asked and Paper Doll get an inclusion, just in the interests of a token gesture for including SN.

I accept this criticism in good heart, which is why I left the 10th option as an open one. I have read comments from some people who really like Paper Doll although it's a bit of a minority taste. I couldn't bring myself to put any of her BTM songs on although maybe I have a curious blind spot about the supposed awfulness of "The Second Time"n but maybe "Dreamin' the dream" is better than that one. Perhaps a worm is eating away at my brain destroying what little critical faculties I have left...I blame a career in local government.

[Villavic]

I accept this criticism in good heart, which is why I left the 10th option as an open one. I have read comments from some people who really like Paper Doll although it's a bit of a minority taste. I couldn't bring myself to put any of her BTM songs on although maybe I have a curious blind spot about the supposed awfulness of "The Second Time"n but maybe "Dreamin' the dream" is better than that one. Perhaps a worm is eating away at my brain destroying what little critical faculties I have left...I blame a career in local government.

Yes I have read some posts where ledgies like Paper Doll. It's a song I never listen. But I do listen Affairs of the Heart, I like that song though I know most people dislike. I always think the fact that we don't always agree on everything makes this world more interesting.

[SteveMacD]

although maybe I have a curious blind spot about the supposed awfulness of "The Second Time"n but maybe "Dreamin' the dream" is better than that one.

“Dreamin’ The Dream” is superior in every way. I was lucky to see it live before the album came out and it was just haunting.

[HomerMcvie]

“Dreamin’ The Dream” is superior in every way. I was lucky to see it live before the album came out and it was just haunting.

Same. It's the song that made me a Bekka fan.

I'll never forget people all around us bitching about, "this isn't Fleetwood Mac!"

[Mr Scarrott]

Yes I have read some posts where ledgies like Paper Doll. It's a song I never listen. But I do listen Affairs of the Heart, I like that song though I know most people dislike. I always think the fact that we don't always agree on everything makes this world more interesting.

I cannot find one feature of Affairs of the Heart that inches it towards quasi-redemption. It's nails-down-a-blackboard for me. Bits of Paper Doll are almost fun- I like the bridge section and listening out for Lindsey's tasteful guitar and vocal overdubs helps to pass the time.

Thanks to all for your responses, by the way.

[Macfan4life]

It’s pretty crazy No Questions Asked and Paper Doll get an inclusion, just in the interests of a token gesture for including SN.
That made me laugh out loud. Sad but true. Not a coincidence almost all the songs listed are from Chris.

ALAYF is a great song but I went with Nights in Estoril. Its one of my all time favorite songs. Its everything that defined Chris. Its a crazy romantic rocker with a melody that is vintage Chris. She even arranged the song. It stands out on Time as an over achiever song with a different guitarist. Clearly it was written when she was still madly in love with Eddy which was years before Time's release.


Paper Doll and Save Me were both big top 10 hits in Canada.

[BLY]

That made me laugh out loud. Sad but true. Not a coincidence almost all the songs listed are from Chris.

ALAYF is a great song but I went with Nights in Estoril. Its one of my all time favorite songs. Its everything that defined Chris. Its a crazy romantic rocker with a melody that is vintage Chris. She even arranged the song. It stands out on Time as an over achiever song with a different guitarist. Clearly it was written when she was still madly in love with Eddy which was years before Time's release.


Paper Doll and Save Me were both big top 10 hits in Canada.





I picked ALAYF as my favorite but Nights in Estoril is a close second. Paper Doll is a great tune mostly because of the return of Lindsey on the track. All of Christine’s songs during this time are stellar.

[WalkAThinLine.]

I accept this criticism in good heart, which is why I left the 10th option as an open one. I have read comments from some people who really like Paper Doll although it's a bit of a minority taste.

I will happily go to bat for "Paper Doll". I'm a sucker for songs that use the train beat.

[aleuzzi]

I’m surprised “Heart of Stone” isn’t leading the pack. So many fans mention this as a favorite.

For me, it’s tied with “Love Shines” as the best FM between 1987-98. And those songs are, in my opinion, better than anything on Tango.

I chose “Sooner or Later” (or “Hollywood”) because Christine’s voice is so direct, clear, and up-front in them, and their melodies mesmerize.

Still, “Heart” and “Love Shines” are better produced and more creatively arranged.

I think “Paper Doll,” “No Questions Asked,” and “Make Me a Mask” are pretty awful. “Skies” is awful, too.

[Macfan4life]

I picked ALAYF as my favorite but Nights in Estoril is a close second. Paper Doll is a great tune mostly because of the return of Lindsey on the track. All of Christine’s songs during this time are stellar.
I am with you until Paper Doll. Never liked that song. I tend to hate songs where Stevie sounds like she's talking instead of singing. Paper Doll and Welcome To The Room Sara are 2 examples. It just feels and sounds cheap like the video. The whole thing feels mailed in by the band and Stevie. Lindsey may have played but he may have had nothing to do with the arrangements.

[Mr Scarrott]

Re Aleuzzi's comment Skies the limit (sic) is just dreadful, a rare utter misjudgement by Christine. I just watched the video of it on youtube and it felt that I was descending into ever lower Dantean circles of cringe. At one point John pretends to choke on something in his seat on a plane, and it can only be of embarrassment. Just to add insult to injury why isn't it "Sky's the limit"?

I added Save me me as an option against my better judgement. It's a better song than Skies the limit but it's bland and too derivative of Christine's other songs.

[Macfan4life]

The sky's the limit is an idiom that means there are no limits and that anything is possible.
However if you are talking about the atmosphere above earth its skies. The plural of sky is skies.
The skies above London were ablaze with a spectacular firework display. Air traffic control needs to keep our skies safe.

One could say Skies the limit meaning way way up there or talking about plural skies. In music composers often don't take the most literal meaning.
Was it a mistake? I don't care. It still makes sense because when astronauts reach the skies that's quite a limit :)

You can definitely tell the song was thrown together relatively fast. But IMHO that showcases the talents of Chris, Mick, and John, Billy, and Rick because even a quick thrown together song that may not even had a demo is still pretty good. Love the cracking of Mick's drums and Chris's playing is so vintage. Its one of the few songs on BTM that showcases real harmonies of 4 singers which is another reason is stands out. Stevie's voice was layered in so many places on BTM its silly. But not on this song. She was back from her tour and in the studio.

[moon]

It's a tie between ALAYF and Love Shines. I went with Love Shines. I've always had a soft spot for it.

I truly love both!! They were my choices but I have another one...

In fact, I have two, Hollywood (Another Kind Of Town) and Sooner Or Later. Don't know what I should choose! But if there's only one, I will choose Sooner Or Later, just for a little bit! Highlights from the last FM works of Christine...

[Mr Scarrott]

The sky's the limit is an idiom that means there are no limits and that anything is possible.
However if you are talking about the atmosphere above earth its skies. The plural of sky is skies.
The skies above London were ablaze with a spectacular firework display. Air traffic control needs to keep our skies safe.

One could say Skies the limit meaning way way up there or talking about plural skies. In music composers often don't take the most literal meaning.
Was it a mistake? I don't care. It still makes sense because when astronauts reach the skies that's quite a limit :)

You can definitely tell the song was thrown together relatively fast. But IMHO that showcases the talents of Chris, Mick, and John, Billy, and Rick because even a quick thrown together song that may not even had a demo is still pretty good. Love the cracking of Mick's drums and Chris's playing is so vintage. Its one of the few songs on BTM that showcases real harmonies of 4 singers which is another reason is stands out. Stevie's voice was layered in so many places on BTM its silly. But not on this song. She was back from her tour and in the studio.

Hmmm... one problem is that there is no verb in "skies the limit". Admittedly, song titles don't need to make sense or even (hush my mouth) be grammatical, or indeed have a verb- clearly "the skies are the limit" or "skies are the limit" might sound clunky in a way that "skies the limit" doesn't. The other problem is that in the lyrics, they are clearly singing "the sky is the limit" (over and over and over again to the point of tedium) and that is in the lyric sheet and "sky's the limit" is a contraction of that. Why have one sky in the lyrics and more than one in the title. That, m'lud is the case for the prosecution.

It's just such a weak and anaemic opener to the album. I suppose if they had started with the title track, average listeners might have thought "oh, this album might be an interesting listen" before each succeeding track slowly made a mockery of their hopes and crushed them quickly to dust :distress:

[SteveMacD]

The cynic in me thinks it was “Skies the Limit” because United Airlines was a major sponsor of the BTM tour.

[Mr Scarrott]

The cynic in me thinks it was “Skies the Limit” because United Airlines was a major sponsor of the BTM tour.

They never actually played it live, did they? They filmed the video for it at one of the shows, but presumably they were miming and it was done after the main show had ended.

[Macfan4life]

Hmmm... one problem is that there is no verb in "skies the limit". Admittedly, song titles don't need to make sense or even (hush my mouth) be grammatical, or indeed have a verb- clearly "the skies are the limit" or "skies are the limit" might sound clunky in a way that "skies the limit" doesn't. The other problem is that in the lyrics, they are clearly singing "the sky is the limit" (over and over and over again to the point of tedium) and that is in the lyric sheet and "sky's the limit" is a contraction of that. Why have one sky in the lyrics and more than one in the title. That, m'lud is the case for the prosecution.

It's just such a weak and anaemic opener to the album. I suppose if they had started with the title track, average listeners might have thought "oh, this album might be an interesting listen" before each succeeding track slowly made a mockery of their hopes and crushed them quickly to dust :distress:
Skies had an unusual birth. BTM was finished and the band felt the music was too dark. Christine called it "suicide music" in an interview. The album was missing that perky, head over heals love song that Chris is famous for. So Skies was written rather quickly and slapped as the lead song to give the album some perkiness.
I try and imagine what BTM would be like without it. Imagine the title track followed by In The Back Of My Mind. There is a darkness there. I think it has a cool vibe because it is unusual.

[bwboy]

Hmmm... one problem is that there is no verb in "skies the limit". Admittedly, song titles don't need to make sense or even (hush my mouth) be grammatical, or indeed have a verb- clearly "the skies are the limit" or "skies are the limit" might sound clunky in a way that "skies the limit" doesn't. The other problem is that in the lyrics, they are clearly singing "the sky is the limit" (over and over and over again to the point of tedium) and that is in the lyric sheet and "sky's the limit" is a contraction of that. Why have one sky in the lyrics and more than one in the title. That, m'lud is the case for the prosecution.

I just wanted to point out that, as you allude to, nowhere in the song does anyone actually say “skies the limit;” I imagine they thought Skies the Limit was less clunky than The Sky is the Limit.

Like Macfan4life, I love that all four voices are present, and they sound great.

[WalkAThinLine.]

Re Aleuzzi's comment Skies the limit (sic) is just dreadful, a rare utter misjudgement by Christine. I just watched the video of it on youtube and it felt that I was descending into ever lower Dantean circles of cringe. At one point John pretends to choke on something in his seat on a plane, and it can only be of embarrassment. Just to add insult to injury why isn't it "Sky's the limit"?

I added Save me me as an option against my better judgement. It's a better song than Skies the limit but it's bland and too derivative of Christine's other songs.

Other than the grammatically incorrect song title, "Skies the Limit" is another fine song with a very perky and catchy chorus and great vocals. The intro is very early 90s, but I find this more endearing than obnoxious. Vito also has a very competent guitar solo on this song. "Save Me" is even better and might actually be one of my favorite McVie songs, although there are a lot to choose from. Of this batch, "Heart of Stone" and "As Long as You Follow" might be my least favorite, but even these are high quality tunes. "Love is Dangerous" is the real stinker from this era. Uninspired blues rock with vapid lyrics.

[HomerMcvie]

Love Is Dangerous was one of my favorites, because those guitar locks fukcing ROCK.

That. Is. All.

[aleuzzi]

If I could remove one album from the FM catalog, it would be Behind the Mask. When it came out, I was first crestfallen, then embarrassed.

Its Supermarket charms depress me.

[HomerMcvie]

If I could remove one album from the FM catalog, it would be Behind the Mask. When it came out, I was first crestfallen, then embarrassed.

Its Supermarket charms depress me.

Many would say Time. BUT, that wasn't the supergroup.

So you're right, neither was BTM. Their creative genius had flown the coop.

So firing him in 2018 made complete sense, right?

The day Old Goatsy became CEO of FM is the day the band died.

[Mr Scarrott]

If I could remove one album from the FM catalog, it would be Behind the Mask. When it came out, I was first crestfallen, then embarrassed.

Its Supermarket charms depress me.

Pretty much exactly how I felt, Aleuzzi. Maybe it was for the best. If Lindsey had had to fashion some of the tracks he was fashioning into Out of the Cradle into Mac songs, it would have been a very weird and uneven album even with the best (or least bad) of Christine and Stevie's BTM offerings.

[aleuzzi]

Pretty much exactly how I felt, Aleuzzi. Maybe it was for the best. If Lindsey had had to fashion some of the tracks he was fashioning into Out of the Cradle into Mac songs, it would have been a very weird and uneven album even with the best (or least bad) of Christine and Stevie's BTM offerings.

Thing is: I think some of those Christine songs (NOT Skies) are potentially very good. They just have bloated, sickly-sweet arrangements. If you strip back Save Me, get rid of the awful synth, it’s pretty good. The title tune has potential, too. The production is just awful.

[Macfan4life]

Thing is: I think some of those Christine songs (NOT Skies) are potentially very good. They just have bloated, sickly-sweet arrangements. If you strip back Save Me, get rid of the awful synth, it’s pretty good. The title tune has potential, too. The production is just awful.
That is an understatement about the title track. I agree and so many rave about it and I could never get into it. I want to like it so bad because its a dark Chris song that is rare but it just does not click for me. I don't like how the chorus is sung. Like you said its not a bad song and had so much potential but the arrangement keeps it an average song at best. The worst part is the Stevie's moan that is layered in. When I listen today its like nails down a chalkboard because its so obviously layered in. But back in 1990 I thought it was really cool. I once heard the song at the Brown Derby (restaurant) in 1990 which I thought was really cool when I thought the album was going to be really big.

As far as the album, half of it is good to really good. The other half is meh to bad. I think Hard Feelings, Affairs of the Heart, and Second Time are some of the worst songs the Mac ever recorded.

The thing I like most about the album is it does not try to be pop like Tango but that is why it was not successful. This kind of music was instinct in 1990. I dont care for most of Tango for its synth programmed pop that mostly has no Fleetwood Mac sound. BTM does many times sound like Fleetwood Mac. Even if you don't care for Skies, if you only heard those opening keyboards many would guess it was Christine by the way it was played. She has some very classic and fabulous keyboard solos on the album which was missing from Tango. As Chris would say the Mac had the best rhythm (blues) section around. On many of the songs you can hear that section again with Mick, Chris and John. Mick, Chris, and John play on every song unlike Tango. For that reason alone I like the album. I recently bought the CD and have rediscovered it. I never upgraded the cassette I bought in 1990. But I think I understand your distaste for the album. Much of it is studio musician tracks without much greatness. Its safe but IMHO does have some creativity. I loved In The Back Of My Mind from the first time I heard it. Personally I think Billy is a horrible singer but its my favorite track on the album. Affairs of the Heart and Second Time put me instantly in a K-hole (klonopin hole).

[WalkAThinLine.]

That is an understatement about the title track. I agree and so many rave about it and I could never get into it. I want to like it so bad because its a dark Chris song that is rare but it just does not click for me. I don't like how the chorus is sung. Like you said its not a bad song and had so much potential but the arrangement keeps it an average song at best. The worst part is the Stevie's moan that is layered in. When I listen today its like nails down a chalkboard because its so obviously layered in. But back in 1990 I thought it was really cool. I once heard the song at the Brown Derby (restaurant) in 1990 which I thought was really cool when I thought the album was going to be really big.

As far as the album, half of it is good to really good. The other half is meh to bad. I think Hard Feelings, Affairs of the Heart, and Second Time are some of the worst songs the Mac ever recorded.

The thing I like most about the album is it does not try to be pop like Tango but that is why it was not successful. This kind of music was instinct in 1990. I dont care for most of Tango for its synth programmed pop that mostly has no Fleetwood Mac sound. BTM does many times sound like Fleetwood Mac. Even if you don't care for Skies, if you only heard those opening keyboards many would guess it was Christine by the way it was played. She has some very classic and fabulous keyboard solos on the album which was missing from Tango. As Chris would say the Mac had the best rhythm (blues) section around. On many of the songs you can hear that section again with Mick, Chris and John. Mick, Chris, and John play on every song unlike Tango. For that reason alone I like the album. I recently bought the CD and have rediscovered it. I never upgraded the cassette I bought in 1990. But I think I understand your distaste for the album. Much of it is studio musician tracks without much greatness. Its safe but IMHO does have some creativity. I loved In The Back Of My Mind from the first time I heard it. Personally I think Billy is a horrible singer but its my favorite track on the album. Affairs of the Heart and Second Time put me instantly in a K-hole (klonopin hole).

I appear to be more favorable toward this album for most. A lot of the arguments against Behind the Mask are understandable, but I'm not really bothered by any of the songs on the album perhaps with the exception of the hokey "When the Sun Goes Down". The keyboard sounds on this album often receives criticism for sounding dated, which might be true but fortunately does not detract from my listening experience. Certain songs such as "In the Back Of My Mind" and the title track possess impressive depth due to extensive overdubbing, with "In the Back of My Mind" requiring the most amount of tracks to complete out of any Fleetwood Mac song up through that point. There's a neat instrumental of "Behind the Mask" that demonstrates the richness and care that went into the track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7VmV2Xm1aY

[Mr Scarrott]

That is an understatement about the title track. I agree and so many rave about it and I could never get into it. I want to like it so bad because its a dark Chris song that is rare but it just does not click for me. I don't like how the chorus is sung. Like you said its not a bad song and had so much potential but the arrangement keeps it an average song at best. The worst part is the Stevie's moan that is layered in. When I listen today its like nails down a chalkboard because its so obviously layered in. But back in 1990 I thought it was really cool. I once heard the song at the Brown Derby (restaurant) in 1990 which I thought was really cool when I thought the album was going to be really big.

I have always liked the title track, which reminds be of the Mystery to Me album and I would have been interested to have seen how Lindsey could have influenced its production. Ironically, the cameo he does offer- on accoustic guitar- does sound a tiny bit laboured to my ears. Billy's (and or Rick's) backing vocals are just a bit bland, but Rick's guitar work on this track is mysterious and effective IMHO; Stevie's contribution, though limited, works for me. I suppose if Lindsey had produced the song it would have lost its Bob Welchy feel. It just could never have saved the album on its own, however.

[Macfan4life]

I have always liked the title track, which reminds be of the Mystery to Me album and I would have been interested to have seen how Lindsey could have influenced its production. Ironically, the cameo he does offer- on accoustic guitar- does sound a tiny bit laboured to my ears. Billy's (and or Rick's) backing vocals are just a bit bland, but Rick's guitar work on this track is mysterious and effective IMHO; Stevie's contribution, though limited, works for me. I suppose if Lindsey had produced the song it would have lost its Bob Welchy feel. It just could never have saved the album on its own, however.
We are opposites because its one of the weaker tracks on the album IMHO. Its still one of the better ones but the chorus does not grab me. I like the opening suspense kind of music but once the chorus hits the song loses me. Lindsey's acoustic playing is the highlight for sure! It definitely has a very dark feel like In The Back Of My Mind which I think is on purpose.
I was such a Mac nerd because I ran out and bought it the day it was released and was like why is not everyone loving it? It hurt when ALAYF never charted. But Save Me tanking just as the band hit the states for the tour devastated me. I hate the way Stevie is layered in only at the end of Save Me and not on the chorus. Tango gets flack for allegedly layering in Stevie. BTM said hold my beer Lindsey!

[SteveMacD]

BTM sounds like what old men lathered in Old Spice smell like.

There’s no real edge whatsoever to the album. It’s bland, soulless, overproduced music. Even when I make an alternative version of the album, which is insanely better, it still misses a bit.

As much as I love Christine, she was never supposed to be the band’s creative driving force. She’s supposed to be the pop levity amid something deeper and darker. Stevie was in terrible shape, Rick was a glorified sideman, and Billy, who had the edgiest song on the album, brought little edge (which is sad, because his psychobilly stuff was incredible). So, Christine was the de facto leader.

Lindsey relished in that role, although to an excess and sometimes with disregard to the creative needs of others. I think that’s why the 1975 album and shows are my favorite. Lindsey took some creative control, but the Brits and Olsen kept him on a shorter leash, and I think it was the strongest group effort they’ve ever done.

[Macfan4life]

BTM sounds like what old men lathered in Old Spice smell like.

There’s no real edge whatsoever to the album. It’s bland, soulless, overproduced music. Even when I make an alternative version of the album, which is insanely better, it still misses a bit.

As much as I love Christine, she was never supposed to be the band’s creative driving force. She’s supposed to be the pop levity amid something deeper and darker. Stevie was in terrible shape, Rick was a glorified sideman, and Billy, who had the edgiest song on the album, brought little edge (which is sad, because his psychobilly stuff was incredible). So, Christine was the de facto leader.

Lindsey relished in that role, although to an excess and sometimes with disregard to the creative needs of others. I think that’s why the 1975 album and shows are my favorite. Lindsey took some creative control, but the Brits and Olsen kept him on a shorter leash, and I think it was the strongest group effort they’ve ever done.
That's a good analysis. I will take that a bit further and say Chris was also the ringleader for the tour. The new guys were sill a bit unknown and Stevie was zonked out. Stevie had no hits or singles with this era of the band. Everything was on Chris's shoulders.

Having said that, there is so much Chris playing and singing on BTM that I can't help not to like it. I will take an overproduced album with real instruments over an overproduced synth programmed one any day :) Rick is a fine guitarist but he is a studio musician. Great albums are made with people with vision and a bit out of the ordinary. Is not BTM like Chris's 1984 solo album. Its very safe, does not take many chances but is pleasing to the ears.

[WalkAThinLine.]

That's a good analysis. I will take that a bit further and say Chris was also the ringleader for the tour. The new guys were sill a bit unknown and Stevie was zonked out. Stevie had no hits or singles with this era of the band. Everything was on Chris's shoulders.

Having said that, there is so much Chris playing and singing on BTM that I can't help not to like it. I will take an overproduced album with real instruments over an overproduced synth programmed one any day :) Rick is a fine guitarist but he is a studio musician. Great albums are made with people with vision and a bit out of the ordinary. Is not BTM like Chris's 1984 solo album. It's very safe, does not take many chances but is pleasing to the ears.

Behind the Mask is a very average album with more than serviceable songs. McVie's great songwriting from Tango in the Night largely continues here and Billy does a good job on this album even though I'm generally indifferent to most of his other work. It's admittedly a bit bland compared to Tango in the Night, but I'm probably more positive on Behind the Mask than most even though I would still rank it as a bottom five album in their discography.

[Mr Scarrott]

[I]I would still rank it as a bottom five album in their discography.

I would rank it 17th out of their 17 studio albums, and to be honest, that's overrating it.

Or as English football managers are wont to say " we lost five-nil, and we were lucky to get nil".

[aleuzzi]

I would rank it 17th out of their 17 studio albums, and to be honest, that's overrating it.

Or as English football managers are wont to say " we lost five-nil, and we were lucky to get nil".

I’m with you 10000%

[WalkAThinLine.]

I would rank it 17th out of their 17 studio albums, and to be honest, that's overrating it.

.

I certainly would not rate it worse than Time. I'm also probably more likely to listen to Behind the Mask than Mr Wonderful, but comparing that album to Behind the Mask is like comparing apples and oranges.

[Mr Scarrott]

I certainly would not rate it worse than Time. I'm also probably more likely to listen to Behind the Mask than Mr Wonderful, but comparing that album to Behind the Mask is like comparing apples and oranges.

Yeah, a half-ripe apple to a rotten orange. Peter's songs on Mr Wonderful are exactly that, they're just about about enough to make you forget the repetitive nature of Jeremy's. Of Time , only Blow by blow really grates. It's a Christine-heavy selection box,and on occasion quite fun or moody. However, as a six-piece, the band only very rarely gels (on a couple of Bekka's songs); maybe if Christine and Dave had got on, something more interesting might have come out of it- as it is they barely on the same page and only nominally seem to be bandmates. It's a much better listen than its predecessor,though.

[HomerMcvie]

Yeah, a half-ripe apple to a rotten orange. Peter's songs on Mr Wonderful are exactly that, they're just about about enough to make you forget the repetitive nature of Jeremy's. Of Time , only Blow by blow really grates. It's a Christine-heavy selection box,and on occasion quite fun or moody. However, as a six-piece, the band only very rarely gels (on a couple of Bekka's songs); maybe if Christine and Dave had got on, something more interesting might have come out of it- as it is they barely on the same page and only nominally seem to be bandmates. It's a much better listen than its predecessor,though.
I love Bekka's vocals at the end of Blow By Blow!

But I'm with you. Time is better than BTM.

[aleuzzi]

Yeah, a half-ripe apple to a rotten orange. Peter's songs on Mr Wonderful are exactly that, they're just about about enough to make you forget the repetitive nature of Jeremy's. Of Time , only Blow by blow really grates. It's a Christine-heavy selection box,and on occasion quite fun or moody. However, as a six-piece, the band only very rarely gels (on a couple of Bekka's songs); maybe if Christine and Dave had got on, something more interesting might have come out of it- as it is they barely on the same page and only nominally seem to be bandmates. It's a much better listen than its predecessor,though.

Yes to this. Dave Mason (like Dave Walker!) appears to have been a key force in their live shows at that time. But on record his work doesn’t fit with the rest of the songs.

On Time, not only do we get five very solid Christine songs (marred only by her tinny keys—so odd, since she has historically expertly layered keys on previous albums all that way back to 1971), but we get the Billy-Becca duets, which are youthful and exuberant. The opening cut and “Got It In for You” are delights. And they balance well against Christine’s moodier tracks.

[WalkAThinLine.]

Yes to this. Dave Mason (like Dave Walker!) appears to have been a key force in their live shows at that time. But on record his work doesn’t fit with the rest of the songs.

On Time, not only do we get five very solid Christine songs (marred only by her tinny keys—so odd, since she has historically expertly layered keys on previous albums all that way back to 1971), but we get the Billy-Becca duets, which are youthful and exuberant. The opening cut and “Got It In for You” are delights. And they balance well against Christine’s moodier tracks.

The majority of McVie's songs are decent tracks, with "I Do", "Nights in Estoril", and "All Over Again" being my favorite songs on the album. Some of McVie's other songs on the album are a bit too long, particularly "Hollywood (Some Other Kind of Town)". The tinny keyboards add to the charm of the tracks but have aged worse than any of her other contributions to Fleetwood Mac. I'm also probably the only person in existence who enjoys "Blow by Blow". It's interesting to see the differences in opinion here. Even the band's weakest albums have something to enjoy about them.

[Macfan4life]

The majority of McVie's songs are decent tracks, with "I Do", "Nights in Estoril", and "All Over Again" being my favorite songs on the album. Some of McVie's other songs on the album are a bit too long, particularly "Hollywood (Some Other Kind of Town)". The tinny keyboards add to the charm of the tracks but have aged worse than any of her other contributions to Fleetwood Mac. I'm also probably the only person in existence who enjoys "Blow by Blow". It's interesting to see the differences in opinion here. Even the band's weakest albums have something to enjoy about them.
So true! I don't care for Time but Nights In Estoril is so good that it makes the album worth it. Imagine BTM without Chris? She drags that album across the finish line. She could write excellent songs and none of them are bad IMHO.
I sometimes wonder if it would have been better to record BTM first and then release Greatest Hits in 1990. It would have messed up Stevie's OSOTM schedule but I think adding ALAYF and No Questions Asked on BTM would have improved it. No Questions is not great but its better than any of Stevie's BTM contributions.

[Mr Scarrott]

Yes to this. Dave Mason (like Dave Walker!) appears to have been a key force in their live shows at that time. But on record his work doesn’t fit with the rest of the songs.

This is perhaps a more pertinent comparison exercise: Time vs Penguin.

Both have a major holdover singer-songwriter-keyboardist from an earlier era- Christine; a relatively new guitarist-vocalist-writer- Billy and Bob Welch; the absence of a key player: Stevie and Danny; two slighly random newcomers that the band hope will succeed and point them in a new direction- Bekka and Dave Mason, Bob Weston and Dave Walker; a cameo from a legend- Peter on Night Watch , Lindsey on Nothing without you, a cover song on each album; a penguin on the covers; Mick and John.

On balance, I think I prefer Time out of those two.

[aleuzzi]

This is perhaps a more pertinent comparison exercise: Time vs Penguin.

Both have a major holdover singer-songwriter-keyboardist from an earlier era- Christine; a relatively new guitarist-vocalist-writer- Billy and Bob Welch; the absence of a key player: Stevie and Danny; two slighly random newcomers that the band hope will succeed and point them in a new direction- Bekka and Dave Mason, Bob Weston and Dave Walker; a cameo from a legend- Peter on Night Watch , Lindsey on Nothing without you, a cover song on each album; a penguin on the covers; Mick and John.

On balance, I think I prefer Time out of those two.

Certainly Time has more salvageable music than Penguin. You could take out what DOESN’T work on Time and still have a nearly full album. Penguin, on the other hand, is very short on time, even with Walker’s tunes. If there were, say, two more Welch tunes and one more Christine song, I think I would rank Penguin a lot higher. As it is, it was the first pre-1975 album I heard where I felt genuine enthusiasm for some of the songs. All of Christine’s work here is so enjoyable. And “Revelation” and “Nightwatch” are seriously good—especially “Nightwatch” with its gorgeous textures. “Caught in the Rain” is a great way to end the record.

[Mr Scarrott]

Certainly Time has more salvageable music than Penguin. You could take out what DOESN’T work on Time and still have a nearly full album. Penguin, on the other hand, is very short on time, even with Walker’s tunes. If there were, say, two more Welch tunes and one more Christine song, I think I would rank Penguin a lot higher. As it is, it was the first pre-1975 album I heard where I felt genuine enthusiasm for some of the songs. All of Christine’s work here is so enjoyable. And “Revelation” and “Nightwatch” are seriously good—especially “Nightwatch” with its gorgeous textures. “Caught in the Rain” is a great way to end the record.

Did you ever love me is particularly lovely. I can imagine Caught in the rain playing over me as I have my last big day out at the local municipal crematorium.

[WalkAThinLine.]

This is perhaps a more pertinent comparison exercise: Time vs Penguin.

Both have a major holdover singer-songwriter-keyboardist from an earlier era- Christine; a relatively new guitarist-vocalist-writer- Billy and Bob Welch; the absence of a key player: Stevie and Danny; two slightly random newcomers that the band hope will succeed and point them in a new direction- Bekka and Dave Mason, Bob Weston and Dave Walker; a cameo from a legend- Peter on Night Watch, Lindsey on Nothing without you, a cover song on each album; a penguin on the covers; Mick and John.

On balance, I think I prefer Time out of those two.

The connection is certainly present. They both also feature vocals from members who rarely contribute in that capacity: Bob Weston on "Did You Ever Love Me" and Mick Fleetwood on "These Strange Times". Mason and Walker also only sang two tracks each on their respective albums.

I find Penguin to be the most enjoyable of the two albums by a very large margin. Welch's songs are uniformly strong here, with "Bright Fire" being an underrated gem that does not get frequently discussed. "Caught in the Rain" is also a gorgeous way to bookend the album.

[jbrownsjr]

As Long As You Follow gets my vote.

This was hard for me. Love Shines, Heart of Stone, Behind the Mask, Sooner or Later. Save Me.

I listen to all of these songs. Makes you realize what a Home Run she was.

[aleuzzi]

As Long As You Follow gets my vote.

This was hard for me. Love Shines, Heart of Stone, Behind the Mask, Sooner or Later. Save Me.

I listen to all of these songs. Makes you realize what a Home Run she was.

To extend your metaphor, she was “In a League of Her Own,” “The Natural” hookster, a songbird in “A Field of Dreams.”

[HomerMcvie]

To extend your metaphor, she was “In a League of Her Own,” “The Natural” hookster, a songbird in “A Field of Dreams.”

She was most certainly the queen of the hooks.

[jbrownsjr]

To extend your metaphor, she was “In a League of Her Own,” “The Natural” hookster, a songbird in “A Field of Dreams.”

I wish we had just one more solo album.