When I bought Tusk, I listened to Stevie's songs first, Christine's songs next, and somewhat listened to Lindsey's contributions. There are some that I skip no matter what. I'll hold out my hand so it may be hit.

Nice to know there are others who think "Save Me A Place" is a masterpiece! :thumbsup:

-Justin

Whoever said that the lows were Lindsey's is correct. Tusk was the first time Lindsey started slowing and speeding up the tape to get different ranges on vocals - he used it a lot on Law + Order and even more so on Mirage and Tango - (and Say You Will). It's a nifty little trick that Brian Wilson made famous but was also used heavily by the Beatles. Matthew Sweet does it frequently too. It's very similar process to running a tape in reverse for guitars, etc. - which is also a big Lindsey thing. You can hear it on the Beatles Revolver album. Check out "I'm Only Sleeping" from that album.

Christine also got into the trickery on Mirage and Tango with the same technique. I think it's cool because it originated as a tape/analog thing and has nothing to do with synthesizers or Pro Tools, etc.

For vocals, Lindsey just slows the tape speed down, or speeds it up, and then corrects the pitch so the key stays the same. It's a great thing for people who put tracks together when they work solo.

I have always loved Save Me A Place. It has a very George Harrison-like quality to it. And I think people that really respond to old harmony singing like The Kingston Trio or The Mamas and the Papas get into it also.
It's not the kind of track that your average FM top 40 fan will like - it requires some thought and participation to really appreciate it for what it is, and that's asking a lot of your average joe who justs wants to be entertained.
Save Me A Place is an important song because it was the first Fleetwood Mac song released where people who appreciated true artists finally took notice of the band. It was a risky move for Lindsey (as was the rest of Tusk) but for me - it's the reason I fell in love with Fleetwood Mac.

He took it one step further, but with higher vocals on Walk A Thin Line. What a gorgeous song that is. I still love it and put it up there among my top 5 FM songs.
Also - if you listen to "Smile At You" , there's a section where guitars run in reverse which is pretty cool - it happens in the bridge.

Can you imagine how bland Tusk would have been if Lindsey didn't push the project in the direction that he did?

I think we all can. :laugh:

Fascinating post, dontlookdown. Thank you!

Speaking of "Walk A Thin Line," it's the first song that made me really appreciate those soundscapes (somehow visual and aural all at once, supremely textured) only Lindsey can do...

Time to bust out my vinyl copy of TUSK for a listen.

-Justin

Come again?

You like what you like. "Tusk" isn't a social studies lesson that you dutifully need to "explore." It's a piece of pop music -- listen to any part you want to listen to, & tell others to go to hell if they harass you about it.

There's no telling in what direction FM would've gone without Lindsey's push with Tusk. It could've solidified their at-the-moment success. Without a doubt, Tusk is one of my favourite albums a SMAP is definitely one of the highlights. Ever so pleased to have heard it at last year's Soundstage. Too lucky.

I don't really understand being satisifed with mediocrity. I think dontlookdown has easily detailed how un-mediocre SMAP is. I guess you hear what you want to hear.

I LOVE this song :nod: It is LB at his best!!!!!!!! :woohoo:

It's called Mirage. :D

Which is one of my fav.s EVER by any group LOL :cool:

i'm coming again.


I suppose the single "Tusk" best fits that description - but once listeners got the album in their sweaty palms, Save Me A Place was the first song they heard that was a true departure - a signal of what was to come for the rest of the album.
I grew up in New York and in 1979 there were a handful of pretty adventurous dj's on the radio - and they ate Tusk up like it was the best thing they had heard in ages. The New York shows were pretty spectacular also - very uncommercial - but very loud and raw. Which is how I like Fleetwood Mac best - when maybe the harmonies aren't perfect, with no back-up singers, no additional musicians - just the band as they were meant to be. That's what Tusk was for me.

Get out of my head woman! :laugh: I was the same way - HATED this song, now it's one of my faves on Tusk.

Paula

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Lots o' SMAP love here!

Lol