Don't like Thrown Down? Try PEACEKEEPER!

[DownOnRodeo]

It's available now at sararhiannon (http://www.sararhiannon.com/sounds.html) (thanks to jwys_sopabox who made the link in a Lindsey forum thread earlier). I have been blown away. Lindsey has honestly tread some sort of brave new territory of song structure, and the sound itself is just brilliant, coupled of course with those evocative lyrics we all fell for.



P E A C E K E E P E R!!! We love you Lindsey!!! You champ!:wavey:

[DownOnRodeo]

I have to talk about this lol!!

Well first big thing is the drum track - kick and snare anyway - is that even Mick - it sounds like electrical stuff. Yet it rocks. Perhaps it won't go down well with tradition FM fans - in fact I wonder is it even FM as opposed to solo Lindsey??!?! I personally don't have a problem with that being FM, but I was wondering if other did. Hopefully not. Cause whatever these drums are, they work!! (BTW I guess the FM drums kick in on the first chorus now that I listen to it)

The other big thing is the funny synthesized vocal hook in the middle of the lines of the chorus seemingly lifted from Gift of Screws itself. Yet again it pays dividends in this song.

Just the structure itself is so new for something from lindsey, in regards to the absence of 'breaks' - there seem to be less musical pauses where you would usually wait for the bar to play out before the next lyric kicks in, But here it just changes into lyrics ASAP. So good! Yet so new for Lindsey, it's as though he's worked this one through with someone??! Up until now, others will agree with me, Lindsey tends not to break a great deal of musical (in the theory/structual sense) ground. This is more like the ingenuitive beats of Radiohead.

And the vocals themselves - wow! They are just so well worked out, in terms of harmony and timing!

Now I can see why this is called the Peacekeeper album - I can see Lindsey singing it stadiums now!

IMHO this is GYOW quality. I saw that with paricularly the catchy beat, chord sturcture and vocals in mind.

On a different 'note', that spine-tingling chord/vocal melody change at 15 secs where he says 'Fire we've made' ... it's so good that I'm worried it rings a bell. Anyone with a broader musical knowledge think it's in another song?

[DownOnRodeo]

Just another thought!

President Clinton sure put Don't Stop to good use ... But the chances of George Dubya using Peacekeeper? lol! Funny contrast.
I guess now that Chrisitne and her positivity shuffles are out of the way, Lindsey can get some revenge on the political scene with, again, Fleetwood Mac's music!

[tuigirl]

I actually replied to your other post on the Lindsey thread, about this song...it's really good! More of a GOS thing though I would have thought, but hey, if he can do an FM version, I'm sure it'll be just as good, maybe even better!

[DownOnRodeo]

OK so Mich reckons this could be Lindsey solo contra what will be on the album, and Carne, in a Lindsey Board thread mentions a suggestion in the Peacekeeper Lyrics thread on this Board that this is not the cut that will make the album. Yet I can't find what you've referred to? Where does it say this??

Because, frankly, I will become vomitously sick if this track is changed by a single note. Let alone overproduced into the Berlin wall of sound that is Thrown Down. Anyway, this has the same sort of sound as the production and mixing mentality in Thrown Down, so I don't see how it's not part of new album.

:confused: :distress:

[iamstevienicks]

Downloading NOW

[iamstevienicks]

Its very very upbeat and catchy, not sure on the lyrics a little weak :o

I prefer 'Thrown down' at the minute

Though Ive listened that some 100 times more ;)

[FiercestCalmSea]

Pretty cool...I like it...I am not sure more or less than Thrown Down..but it is catchy...and gotta love that guitar playing :)

[CarneVaca]

On first listen, I would say this is a truly special song. Strong chorus. Interesting bridge. Eerie verses. God bless'm, that man can write a song!

[CarneVaca]

One more note: The chorus melody sounds very familiar. It had to be inspired by something else, and I am thinking of a song though I can't quite put my finger on it.

Again, the use of the arpeggiated rhythm is a stroke of brilliance. Love the sound of that guitar. I wonder which one he's using.

DownOnRodeo, Lindsey spent a lot of time listening to Radiohead and Bach while he was recording GOS songs. The influence of both is evident in a lot of the songs.

Lastly, Seteca, did you figure out the chords yet? I can't wait to play this.

[DownOnRodeo]

Sorry I just realised the title tothe thread was a bit zany and could be perceived as some sort of challenge - I didnt mean it to set up a comparison between this and Thrown Down!!!! I just came upwith the title in light of all the Thrown Down lyrics debacle, and I guess didnt really think it through! Meanwhile such comparisons are obviously warranted!:wavey:

[DownOnRodeo]

Carne -

In what source did Lindsey say he was listenening to those artists?? Very interesting.

And as for the ( I assume guitar) chords, well if all you want is things like 'Em' I can do that for you, but maybe its not what you want.

In fact the chords are the usual variety - it's his vocal melody (esp around the 15 secs point) and the, as you said, arpeggiated gtr part playing the same E E D E part that counterpoints this song to perfection.

Bass chord-wise it's:

Em____(up octave)C_____ (back down 8ve) D
"We make............same.............................fire.."

etc

CHORUS

Em_____C_______D_________G____F#m_Em
"Peac.....Take.......Time.. .......Dark...of....Night

C______D ______...B
"..Suns...Rise


Hope this is what youre after. I was sure banging away and playing along soon enough (but on the copout synth!!) Good luck

[DownOnRodeo]

Originally posted by iamstevienicks
Its very very upbeat and catchy, not sure on the lyrics a little weak :o

I prefer 'Thrown down' at the minute

Though Ive listened that some 100 times more ;)

If you think the lyrics are a bit weak or disjointed, have you thought of the chorus like this..

'Dont be afraid to fight
Love is the sweet surprise'

It could sound like two contradictory sentences, hence platitudinal tripe, but as soon as you grab the metaphor of 'fight for love and peace', and how Lindsey is grappling with the paradox that there must be wars for peace etc, it becomes not two disjointed thoughts but a single idea.

Once I thought of it like that it all made sense. Hope it helps!:wavey: :nod:

[CarneVaca]

Rodeo, that will do me just fine. Thanks for sharing

By the way I just remembered what song this brings to mind: "Kodachrome" by Paul Simon. I can't remember what the chords are there, but the chorus melody is very similar.

And I agree with your interpretation of the lyrics. I think you're dead on. This would be a great anchor for the album. I vote for "Peacekeeper" as the album name. In these senseless warmongering times, it would make a huge statement.

[DownOnRodeo]

Hey Carne thanks for the agreeance on interpretation - at least I didnt pull it out of that crazy part of my brain like usual this time!

I had to edit the chords post twice to get it all aligned properly due to stupid v-bulletin (and the fact I dont preview my posts!). It should be clear enough to make sense of now ( I hope);) :distress:

[Alison]

I was just going to post that CarneVaca, funny, but that's it.
I wonder what part Stevie will play in the song.
It will grow on me.
I'm getting very excited now.
I really what this album to get attention of the younger people out there. Kids these days need a lesson in what real music sounds like. And the Mac will show them.

Alison

[DownOnRodeo]

Yeah maybe the chorus sounds - a lot - like Kodachrome. But my philosophy is that the verse more than makes up for that.
Plus, what about Thrown Down? That sounds like Stand Back.. no wait, Edge of 17.. hang on, what's that Waddy? Oh yeah, Planets of the Universe too! lol Couldn't resist!:laugh: :wavey: Will quietly accept due flamage.;) :distress:

In fact to me Lindsey is also a culprit for sounding very similar in regards to chord changes, but as I say, this one breaks new ground for him. Kodachrome or no Kodachrome, cause it's the verses that really kill IMHO anyway.

Young Lindsey: "Mamma don't take my Kodachrome away!!...I wanna use it for another song in the future!!"

[John Run]

Please, please no one on this board be disappointed with the new album because it all seems so familiar. By my count in some form or the other people have heard 80% of the new album. I have avoided peacekeeper and thrown down, not beacuse I don't want to hear them, but I want a little of the album to be virginal to my ears...

[CarneVaca]

DownOnRodeo, the comparison to Kodachrome is not meant as a negative. I wonder if Lindsey even realized the similarity.

I forgot to answer you question earlier. I think Lindsey mentioned Bach and Radiohead in one of those short-lived online music news venture, perhaps Sonic something or other, you kow the "Me me me me me me" site?

[DownOnRodeo]

Originally posted by John Run
I want a little of the album to be virginal to my ears...

lol Interesting concept - the Virginal Album! I think that was the first album name contender they took down off the wall in the studio!

I see your point, but I, like the others here, simply have the ability not to be disappointed by the album's 'unnewness' - that's not what I'm looking for when I buy the album - it has to be heard sooner or later and after that its no longer new, but do you love it any less? No, you love it more!!

I think we're all aware of what little gratification we do forego in order to 'participate' in pre-release fervour, discussions and criticisms (like all good obsessed fans should!)

I think you'll find that few of us place much value on the album having the virginity you speak of, when only a few months is the difference.


Meanwhile, 80%? I guess you mean GOS stuff. But really, all we have is Thrown Down and Peacemaker, and even if you did count GOS theres all those reworked Stevie songs and who knows what else.

GIVE IN TO THE DARK SIDE, JOHNRUN!!!:distress: :laugh: :wavey: ;)

[Cristian]

Thank you for the link and for the hint in downloading. It is a pretty interesting song, I like the chord progression, I like Lindsey dueting with himself too.

I wonder if Fleetwood Mac's definitive version is going to sound anything like this. Or is this the definitive, final version? Should one name the file

"Lindsey Buckingham - Peacekeeper.mp3"

or

"Fleetwood Mac - Peacekeeper.mp3"

I still wonder which role will have Stevie in this song and in the other Lindsey songs from the upcoming album.

Can't wait. :)


Song of the moment - Peacekeeper

[John Run]

They have always liked one word names for albums. "Virginal" It works......I don't hold it against anyone for listening, but between all the GOS songs which were leaked and lets face it they are closer to finished than demos, the various stevie demos, and Thrown down and Peacekeeper, their is a good chunk of the album out there. Knowing this board there will be a camp of people who will moan about the fact that the album is a lot of stuff they had heard before. When in fact no one was supposed to hear it.....but in the internet age access is far different than the last time Fleetwood Mac released a studio album.

Looking forward to the release...The release of the album that is....In March, April, May, or whenever....

[Mac Fan]

I love Peacekeeper, haven't heard Thrown Down yet.

[Bella Figura]

first, a personal thank you to SaraRhiannon for making this wonderful song available to us, the FM fans. It always amazes me how people are able to get such wonderful songs often spending their own hard earned money and then generously turn around and share them with the FM community for free.

my appreciation for Lindsey has just kept growing and growing over the years and this song takes it up another notch. (I'm tempted to defect from the Stevie board to the Lindsey board :laugh: well, not yet!!)

The music is catchy, upbeat but pleasing to the rock and roll soul.
the vocals are wonderful and creative.
and the lyrics, the lyrics are alot!!! usually Lindsey is pretty sparse with lyrical composition of his songs but this song satisfies on so many levels, poetically, spirtually and even politically. You can't ask anymore from a song, then this gem...

perfection :nod:

[xhector]

I'm so happy to listen to this new great song.
I LOOVE YOU LINDSEEEEEEY!!

apart from this (I am a sort of Child of Lindsey, a phanatical sect):

-Yes, the chorus seems quite familiar.. a bit "designed to be a hit", for being Lindsey... a little AOR.. I was thinking about it and what came to my mind was "Heat of the moment" by Asia.. don't kick me.. :laugh:

- For me, the best of the song is the "he,he, he" thing. and the "uuuuh"

- I love the idea, "The virginal album". If FM don't use it, could I rip that for my band?

- There's a background voice (most notably in the end of the song) which seems to me the same type of female voice we heard in Thrown Down. I'd say it's no one else than Lindsey himself with some technology (I doubt it's playing with the pitch this time, but maybe some kind of voice formants processor).

:wavey:

[CarneVaca]

Originally posted by Bella Figura
(I'm tempted to defect from the Stevie board to the Lindsey board :laugh: well, not yet!!)


We'll take you with open arms, my friend. You will soon be ready.

[madformac]

Originally posted by xhector
(I am a sort of Child of Lindsey, a phanatical sect


Yes indeed, the "Children Of Buckingham", I'll join up in a Jeremy Spencer kinda way.

I'm NOT shaving my head though!:laugh:

:wavey:

[BlueGrass]

Wow...I decided to listen this song because this will be different from the album version most likley.

I could see this as the first single, because it is structed perfectly just for that.

[Johnny Stew]

Just got to listen to "Peacekeeper."
I like it. :)

I think the instrumentation behind the first two verses is a tad weak/antiseptic, but it kicks in suitably for the choruses and the rest of the track.
Though "mid-tempo" definitely describes it pretty accurately.

The whole thing has a great vibe... that "eeriness" others have mentioned.

I imagine this will have even more crunch and substance if it's re-worked for the Mac album, with live drums, and with the addition of Stevie's harmony vocals on various passages.

Hopefully though Lindsey will leave his vocal parts as is... I don't think they need any improvement.

Cool tune. :D



Johnny Stew

[estranged4life]

the song I heard earlier I will give a 7 out of a 10...I like it a bit more than "Thrown Down", Just my opinion...Brian "Sounded a bit musically like Kodachrome to me" J.

[jwd]

I like this song. Definitely has some of those TITN touches on it. I do hear Kodachrome on it too. Good job Lindsey. I can't wait to hear the Fleetwood Mac touch ups on it. Would definintely pick this song over "Thrown Down" as a single release.....especiallly given the state of the world these days.


Joe

[sodascouts]

This song is so good! One of the things I like about is that, while he uses some unusual techniques, they aren't so noticeable that they draw attention to themselves. Instead, they just augment the overall sound. I think that's where a lot of people dabbling with "experimentation" go wrong - the quirkiness stands out so much that it detracts the focus from the overall song. Not the case here. I love this song!

[Steve]

"Peacekeeper" is an example of what I was talking about when I started a thread last week entitled "Thrown Down...not that great". Peacekeeper sounds terrific! It's the quality I would expect from FM. The only thing I would like to hear in the song is Stevie singing background. :nod:

[seteca]

The song is going to be one of the best on the album, in my opinion. I posted my thoughts in detail over in the LB forum.

A VERY B I G thanks to sararhiannon.com :wavey:

:wavey: :wavey: :wavey:

[wondergirl9847]

I haven't heard Thrown Down, so I can't say which I like better, but knowing me, I'm gonna say I like Peacekeeper better because TD was never a fave demo of mine...but I'm curious to hear Lindsey's contributions to the song, FER SURE!! I'm gonna wait tho...

Now, onto Peacekeeper...this song ROX, I love it, it's on loop...hehe. I am seriously loving the country/rock/pop combo and Lindsey's vocals are strong and that 2:32 guitar part KILLS ME..it's so 1980's!!! LOVE IT!!!! I love the last line too..."take no prisoners, only kill...." WOAH...chilling....NICE JOB LINDSEY...he never fails to impress me...:D

I cannot wait to hear this song with Mick's drums and John's bass...and I wonder how Stevie will factor in...on the chorus, or will she sing something during the "laugh" effect between the chorus and 2nd verse....hmm....

[John Run]

XHector....You can use Virginal...I don't think I have a copyright on the term...

What makes people so sure that Mick, John, and Stevie will turn up on this song or some of the other Lindsey Stuff we have heard? Yes Mick played drums on numerous tracks and John some bass. However, to assume that every track you have heard will be reworked with contributions from the other 3 may be wrong. Numerous songs labled as Fleetwood Mac have not had contributions from all the members. Lindsey has talked about playing bass parts on Tango in the Night using a Fairlight Synth, and Stevie's vocals are missing from many Lindsey tunes on Tango. Some of the percussion and drum sounds on that album are synth produced as well. It is well documented that some songs on Tusk were Lindsey all by myself.

My point to all of the above. Don't assume that every Lindsey tune you have heard has been reworked to include all of the band members. There is much in Fleetwood Mac's history that says that may not be the case.

I think a lot of last 18 months was spent with the band producing Stevie's songs not redoing nearly complete Lindsey songs.

With all that said, I am sure some of the Lindsey tunes we have heard will have been changed and maybe even a sprinkling on the album of songs never before heard!!

[Mac Fan]

Originally posted by wondergirl9847
I haven't heard Thrown Down, so I can't say which I like better,


Same here.

I really love Peacekeeper, but it reminds me of 80s music.
I'd love to see Peacekeeper released as a single.

[silversprings8]

This song is absolutely fantastic!!!!! I love it!!!!

The chorus does remind me of Kodachrome..... and it also reminds me of "Sleepwalker" by The Wallflowers.

[Vianna]

I just got Peacemaker- man it grabs me the way the Tusk songs did-this is the one that should be the single-it's awesome!!!!

[Vianna]

The chorus melody sounds very familiar. It had to be inspired by something else, and I am thinking of a song though I can't quite put my finger on it.

Carnevaca: I know what you mean and I can't think of the song either=:-)

Has anybody else noticed this?

[CarneVaca]

Originally posted by Vianna
The chorus melody sounds very familiar. It had to be inspired by something else, and I am thinking of a song though I can't quite put my finger on it.

Carnevaca: I know what you mean and I can't think of the song either=:-)

Has anybody else noticed this?

Vianna, it's "Kodachrome" by Paul Simon. The chord structure is different but the melody is very similar.

[joe]

i finally downloaded "Peacekeeper" last night. I really like it. I think it's a strong song musically. Lyrically, when i read it, i wasn't blown away at all but i don't expect that from Lindsey. I've never regarded him as a great writer which is ok cause it's not why he's here. He's a great guitarist and arranger and my first guitar teacher...i love his finger picking style and always have. you don't hear a lot of that in rock and roll.

To me, the only apparent thing that this song needs is a new rhythm section. I think the drumming is a bit middle of the road and would like to hear Mick rework it. However, i'm not expecting much as Mick's drumming has sort of lost some edge over the years. Another thing to add would be to add Stevie's vocals somewhere in the mix.

I don't think this should be the first single. I think maybe something a tad more upbeat should be the first single...this song is a little too dark. i love it but i just don't see it being released as a first single.

I also think that "Peacekeeper" has given "Thrown Down" a sort of boost. I know we aren't 100% sure what songs are even going to be on the album but after i played "Peacekeeper" i played "Thrown Down" and i liked the combination of the two.
That's why it's easier to like a song when you've heard the entire album. All the songs influence one another.

[ERigby818]

...and I don't know if I like that about it. I love the lyrics (REALLY, REALLY love the lyrics), the melody, that little hook that seems to be lifted right from GOS, and Lindsey's harmonies. I would be curious to hear Stevie's harmonies in there if this is going to be a Mac song (I'd love to hear Christine in there too but that's just wishful thinking).
I bet this will be a single and I'm sure it will be a hit. It's more mainstream than Lindsey's other stuff, and when Lindsey does something mainstream (a la GYOW) he (or the Mac as it were) sells a billion records and gains a lot more attention because his sound suddenly appeals to masses of people. I actually prefer Lindsey's less mainstream stuff, and I'm especially digging the GOS demos. Peackeeper, while a strong song in its own right, lacks a trademark guitar solo or wide use of vocal range.
I just hope that this is the sound of the song that Lindsey intended it to have, and is not the result of someone telling him to tone it down and make something marketable...a single. If this is as he intended it, then I will totally embrace it, because I know Lindsey could easily create something mainstream sounding if he wanted to.

Now, I've heard the demo of Thrown Down from TISL sessions, but from what I'm reading here I gather there is a more produced version of it out there? If so, where can I get it ? Thanks.
-Sonia

[Janet]

Well Lindsey sounds great, I'll give him that.

I liked all the guitar parts.

The lyrics were weak, peacekeeper kill? I don't get it.

But I loved the line " love is a sweet surprise", sooo some of the lyrics were nice.

I didn't like that little twittle at the end of each line, that high thing...I think that should be changed...

You know the song will only get better ---but as it is its still a good song...Im just being critical because I heard it once. Anything Lindsey does I usually love.

[David]

Originally posted by Janet
The lyrics were weak, peacekeeper kill? I don't get it. I think the lyrics are very strong: mysterious & fascinating & sort of prophetic. Lindsey is a genuine poet, imo, not as accomplished as Dylan or Jones or Costello or some others, but to find an analogy, one really has to reach beyond the medium: he uses language the way the American composer John Adams uses notes. Elliptical yet recursive, Lindsey's lyrics bristle with strange cries & dronelike movement.

Stevie's lyric art is more a narrative art (maybe there's a parallel to the director D.W. Griffith). At her best, she elevates the sentimental & the direct. What I miss in Stevie, however, is a celebratory sense of the playful side of language. She rarely uses language self-referentially. She doesn't typically take a wry look at things because she is in the grip of some powerful (possibly self-generated) response to another person or an event. Maybe that's what I miss in Lindsey's lyric-writing.

Stevie is moral innocence & spiritual awakening.

[Amy Y]

Originally posted by Janet


I didn't like that little twittle at the end of each line, that high thing...I think that should be changed...



No way, babe! That's the best part! :laugh:

[WelshWitchPMD]

Peacekeeper is OK. I don't think it is all that great and nothing to get excited over. Just my opinion.

[greatdarkwing]

I have been mainly a Stevie fan....but 'Peacekeeper' rocks my world!!!! I;ve been playing it non-stop for the past 2 days!!!!!


~Alex

[larg]

I can't get the entire song to DL... I can only get a few seconds of it... :(

Adam R.

[Mac Fan]

Originally posted by CarneVaca


DownOnRodeo, Lindsey spent a lot of time listening to Radiohead while he was recording GOS songs. The influence of both is evident in a lot of the songs.


In whch songs?

[Steve]

Have you ever noticed that many really good songs first have similarities to other great songs you have heard somewhere? After all, music is built on past sounds, right? Come on....think. That was my first thought when CarneVaca pointed out the Paul Simon "Kodachrome" connection. He was right. However, is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that after several listenings to "Peacekeeper", it takes on it's own unique sound?(Like the good songs generally do). This is really a good, TIMELY mid-tempo pop/rock song.

Does anyone else agree with my observation/theory?;)

[CarneVaca]

Originally posted by Steve
However, is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that after several listenings to "Peacekeeper", it takes on it's own unique sound?(Like the good songs generally do). This is really a good, TIMELY mid-tempo pop/rock song.

Does anyone else agree with my observation/theory?;)

I noticed the same thing today. If this song becomes a hit, some of the "older" folks are going to make that connection. A lot of the younger ones won't. And as you said, it will take a life of its own after a while.

Someone mentioned earlier the 80s-type production on this song. I was listening for that, and indeed Peacekeeper seems to have a different feel from a lot fo the other GOS songs. When it shows up on the album (if it does) perhaps it will be produced somewhat differently. The bluesy acoustic riff is definitely not 80s; it's the chorus that has more of an 80s feel to me. Then again, the chorus is the catchiest part. However it turns out, I'm sure it will be a great song, especially once Mick and John do their thing to it.

As for adding Stevie's harmony on this one, I'm not sure it's needed. And as Steve mentioned earlier, it has never been a prerequisite to have Stevie's voice on all Lindsey's contributions to Fleetwood Mac.

[CarneVaca]

Originally posted by thewhitewingedd
Why?

If you haven't heard "Kodachrome," you won't make the connection. Remember that in 1997 a lot of teenagers got into Fleetwood Mac because of The Dance. Just as some of that is bound to happen with 14- and 15-year olds this time around. If they haven't heard "Kodachrome," they won't make the connection with "Peacekeeper's" melody.

[chiliD]

I think the "Kodachrome" comparison is overblown. Yes, it IS similar, but only vaguely. You're making it out to be knocking of the door or plagiarism, which it is nowhere near. If I use that criteria, I could also make a case for "Peacekeeper" to have the same chord progression as Hendrix's version of "Hey Joe". I doubt even one other person would've even noticed and it doesn't smack me in the face when I hear it because 100's of songs have that same chord progression.

[Steve]

I don't think anyone has said there was an overpowering similarity. Whether "you" hear it or not, it's there. In fact, by looking at the posts, most people like the song.:wavey:

[Bella Figura]

OMG, how's this for Mac wierdness...I had my music player on random and Peacekeeper came on first and then Thrown Down played!!! and they do sound great together!!:wavey:

[ShangriLaTroubl]

I'm very interested to hear what kind of production the other Stevie Nicks songs will have on the new album....Judging by THROWN DOWN, the production is very different musically than her TISL Songs, and her last Fleetwood Mac contributions....although it has some of those same elements, it's very different to me...I want to here "Illume" so bad...the whole thing

Chris