Mirage....**snooze...**
 

I found Mirage used the other day for 5 bucks so I figured what the hell, and picked it up. I've been wanting Hold Me on CD for a while so I'm glad I got a chance to get it cheap.

The only thing that sucks is that I think it's the only Mac CD I've bought so far (out of Future Games, Mystery, Bare Trees, The Dance, Tusk) that I don't really care for.

I hate "singles albums" that have a couple hits and then a bunch of filler. It's not without merit though. "Love In Store" although lightweight, is a pleasant enough melody and catchy. "Can't Go Back" is a nice song from Lindsey and his only good one on the album. "That's Alright" is nothing spectacular but once again, inoffensive and easy on the ears. The dreamy "Only Over You" took getting used to but I love it now. "Gypsy" which I always thought was just OK, sounds great next to these lesser tracks.

Side 2 (which I imagine starts with track 7) is just a mess. The koto parts on "Empire State" are interesting but they don't salvage an otherwise bland track. "Straight Back" sounds really lazy, like they didn't give a **** what it came out sounding like. "Oh Diane" I absolutely can't stand, and is the only downright bad track on the album although the intro to "Eyes Of The World" is just as much, if not more irritating. "Wish You Were Here" is just OK and for some reasons reminds me of "Silver Springs". I think it has some identical chord progressions. At least it has the glorious single "Hold Me" which reaches out like a ray of sunshine after the last two nap time tracks. Oh I forgot all about "Book Of Love!" There's probably a good reason for it.

In polls this album always seems to be rated so highly and I'm just not getting into it. On the Penguin poll at least, it's rated above the excellent Mystery To Me and Bare Trees which totally stymes me. It just sounds uninspired and dull (theres no rock to this rock and roll), and I'm majorly bummed about it because I thought it would be as consistantly pleasing as the other albums I bought. Maybe I should make my next purchase Rumors so I can say the next Mac CD I bought was a great one! LOL

But what do you guys think? I know this site is mainly comprised of Mac obsessives so I'm prepared to get reamed out here. :laugh: There's gotta be someone else who feels the same way.

Eric,

I highly doubt that you will get chewed out for your viewpoint. :nod: Mirage is widely regarded by the fans (and hell, even LB himself) as the weakest one of the "Rumours" era Mac.... although I do like "Eyes of the World" along with "Gypsy" "Straight Back" and "Hold Me" of course! :)

Good analysis~ xx Meredith

Just to add, Eric:

When you put it in context of the time period, the band had just spent like 18 months working on Tusk, and another year or so touring for Tusk, and Stevie and Lindsey had just put out their albums in 1981-- so I think things were a bit tense to say the least. They were so determined not to make Tusk into a "Rumours 2" that I think they went completely the other way when it came time to make "Mirage." It was also recorded in a chateau in France... not sure who's idea that was though... :laugh: I'm sure many people suffered from homesickness! But I'll say it again, it's a great album simply because of "Gypsy" and "Hold Me" in my opinion, two of my favorite FM songs. :nod:

Re: Mirage....**snooze...**
 

I expect this is due to many fans being "Rumours era only" or "only SN/LB" etc.

I don't mean this in a bad way though, I just mean that many Rumours only etc. fans can't vote on albums such as BT, MTM etc. because they haven't heard then yet.

Even those that have heard those that didn't vote that way, it's just their opinion and Rumours era only etc. fans will always out number fans of other eras of FM... right or wrong.

Just some thoughts though. :)

John

Mirage is my favoite record for many reasons. I think Steive is at her all time best vocally on this record. Granted her song "That's Alright" was written in the ealy 70's according to the vocal on the demo I have, but Gypsy is just majestic and so representative to me of her life in FM and as a solo artist at that time. Also, I think there is a little of Robin's sickness and death in that song in the part about the child and if Stevie was a child would she be enough so perhaps Robin would not have terminated her life earlier than she perhaps could have lived by choosing to have the baby despite her lukemia - her gift to he world, a continuation of herself, etc. I also love the piercing vocal on Straight Back as well as the writing as it demonstrates how she writes a song, her spiritual nature, etc.

Hold Me is probably at any given moment one of my favorite songs by FM and is a testament to LB in the way he produced that gem. Same for Love in Store. But, unlike SN and, perhaps more so, LB, I in general really like everything CM ever did.

I also like LB's songs (yes, even Oh Diane, esp. the harmonies on it after LB's vocal of Diane), esp. Eyes of the World.

Finally, that was he tadolescent to adult period of my life and, concurrently, the very beginning of the produced "story board" video. What a treat to behold Stevie then; I probably have never had quite that feeling in my life as I did when I first saw her in red and supine on that killer chaise lounge. Pretty much the same for her in Gypsy.

I know some see it as a comeback t the mainstream ater Tusk, but I just loved it and still do.

I totally agree Bare Trees and MTM are greatness. They just to me are not as great as when La nicks and the tempestuous Buckingham joined. They just added something very unique that to me sort of eclipsed the majority of the pre BN work. I would even say this about my beloved "Why," "Man of the World," and Albatross." While these, with some others, to me are perfection, they just for some reason do not "compare" to the work after LB and SN joined. Perhaps my point of view is biased because I was about eight years old when FM FM came out and "knew" only thatline up until the late 80's. Plus, Stevie just does it for me, esp. when she is with FM.

Note: no slam at all intended to the pre LB/Sn line up. Again, I like if not love most of their work. I just like the post stuff better.

Everyone is entitled to their thoughts on things. But Mirage holds a special place in my heart as it was the first Mac album I bought when there was vinyl. I played it into the ground that is how much I adored it. Lindsey and Christine's duet on Hold Me is a favorite as well as Eyes Of The World. Gypsy is a fabulous Stevie track. I also love Lindsey's quirky tunes like Empire State, Oh Diane and Book of Love. Another gem to mention is Christine's Wish You Were Here.

I've always thought Mirage is underrated. I much prefer it to Tango in the Night - it's much warmer. "Hold Me" and "Gypsy" may be Lindsey's best ever productions for Fleetwood Mac. I also think "Eyes of the World" is a brilliantly inventive tune. The rest of the album isn't up to that standard certainly, but I don't think there are any real duds on the album. I personally like Lindsey's 1950's-style tunes, but I can imagine people being turned off by them. I agree with the poster above who admires Stevie's singing - it's the last album where her voice really sounded great. I think the perception of the album as bland comes from Christine's material, but then I'm not a big Christine fan. However, Lindsey's production is pretty uninspired on her tunes too, "Hold Me" excepted. Apart from that I always enjoy listening to "Mirage," even if it rarely scales the heights of the preceding three albums.

I agree with Squealy. Tango is good, but Mirage is better. BTW, I didn't care for Straight Back's sound when I first heard it, but it really grew on me, and the lyrics are very good, IMO.
The piano notes at the beginnings of WYWH and The Dance version of Silver Springs sound alike to me.

- Jake

Oh my gosh...I had Mirage on vinyl too:laugh:

Sandwiched in between Tusk and Tango...for me it signified that they were heading into their mid-30's and 40's and...I don't know, it just seems like a very reflective period for the band...they lived through the 'drama' of Rumours and the 'pressure' to release a follow up to it (Tusk)...I dunno...Mirage to me seems like a 'big sigh of relief' for the band.


Love in Store is classic Christine. Sweet, catchy and again that trademark three part harmony throughout.

Can't Go Back...Is one of my favorites (if not the favorite) songs of Lindsey's....the lyrics are touching..."Standing in the shadows, the man I use to be...I wanna go back..." When he sings "She was just a dream maker...dreamer of sighs...shadow on the one who use to cry..."I always think of Stevie.

That's Alright...Country Stevie...I love her vocal on this song. Very strong, clear and sharp.

Book of Love...is somewhat boring

Gypsy....Obviously Stevie's crowning jewel

Only Over You...tolerable and somewhat poignant (about Dennis Wilson right?)

Empire State....I LOVE NYC...I don't like this song

Straight Back....I've always enjoyed

Hold Me...as with Gypsy is Christine's crowning jewel...

Oh Diane....Oh please.....It is the worse (it's like he was having a Paul Anka flashback or something)

Eyes of the World....is okay but I like it live better

Wish You Were Here...Classic Christine closer...bittersweet.


All in all it's not bad, again it's one of those 'background' albums I play from time to time.

Out of the 5 Rumours line up albums, Mirage is just barely behind Tango for me. It's nowhere nearly as good as Tusk, Rumours & The White Album, but I still like it anyway. I LOVE "Hold Me" & "Wish You Were Here". I also like "Gypsy", "Love In Store" & "Only Over You". All of Stevie's songs are actually pretty good here. Lindsey's songs are fairly lightweight. I hate "Empire State", the only song on the album that I really dislike a lot. I don't like "Eyes Of The World" either, although live on the Mirage tour, it was terrific.

I also think Mirage is nowhere nearly as good as Mystery To Me & Bare Trees. But then not many Fleetwood Mac albums are. MTM & BT are among my top 5 favorite Mac albums.

I notice a lot of people giving major props to Gypsy and Hold Me over the other tracks, which coincidentally were the big hits. It also seems like the album has some sentimental value to people, and if that's the case I can understand why some really like the album. I'm a huge Yes fan and some of the more overlooked or odd albums in the catalog are favorites of mine because they bring back good memories of my childhood and whatnot.

I'll tell you what though, I'm glad I have Mirage for Christine's songs and "Can't Go Back". I only paid 5 bucks for it anyways, I don't regret the purchase. The last album I bought was Tusk which I just love track to track, so Mirage was kind of a shock after digesting such a mammoth album.

Who knows, this album may very well grow on me. A lot of my favorite albums I hated at first, I guess I just expect that since the Mac are pop that I should love it right out of the box and it should be immidiately engaging. Some songs on Tusk that I couldn't stand or thought were boring at first really grew on me. I'm going to make sure I got my moneys worth and give it some more serious top-to-bottom spins. I'll check back in a week. :)

Oh by the way which one of you said earlier that I'm negative and not much of a fan? No ****. Did you see the albums I have? My fandom is currently IN PROGRESS. Believe me, I'm workin' on it! :):):)

As far as the negativity, I love Tusk and right now is one of my favorites. Mystery To Me is fantastic. Bare Trees has phenominal stuff on it. I love all the junk on the box set I have. Future Games is also pretty cool. Remeber I also said Mirage definately has some high points.

I'll show you negativity. You SUCK. :D

And I'm kidding. ;)

Mirage may not be the best Mac stuff ever, but I personally prefer it to Tango In The Night. I do agree with you in that a few of the songs are pretty bad, however.

ditto...

and EricBliss... you are too critical of fleetwood mac and for that...http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/nuke.gif






jk...:D

I kind of agree on what your saying Eric. It seems as if side 2 is just a completely different album...and not as good of a one as side 1 at that much. But I personally think "Straight Back" makes up for that slack. It is such an awesome song. And I do like "Hold Me," and "Wish You Were Here." :)

I love this album
 

Altho it's not my fave by a long shot, I love this album.

Of the songs most people seem to dislike, I think Oh Diane is camp and catchy, and Wish You Were Here is haunting and sad.

It has grown on me over the years.

Just MHO

If I really don't mean it, then no, it's fine. :) I think you're swell and don't suck. You have good taste in music. :D

And about me being critical, I'm already picky but the internet somehow magnifies my critisism. I just pick things apart and analyze them. It's what musicians do. Plus, you have to remember that I'm mostly a big fan of avant-garde prog rock and still getting used to this easy-listening stuff. But I do like it! :)

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE and ADORE every track on this album (except Empire State)!!! (Once again...why, oh, why that instead of Goodbye Angel?!) Straight Back...one of my all-time favorite Stevie songs! Christine's harmonies with her on this are amazing, as is Stevie's vocal performance and the music! Oh Diane?! One of my favorite Lindsey songs! I have to stop, 'cause I'll go crazy on the whole album! (Except Empire State....:D ):nod:

Actually, this album flows well I think. I can just listen over and over from song to song.

I like most of the album, it is...quiet but I enjoy it.

No point to this post but I just wanted to defend one of my fav FM albums.

This is exactly why I don't like this album much, Lindsey's songs!! In my opinion, he does better on Tango. But as others have pointed out, this album has its saving graces. "That's Alright", "Gypsy", "Hold Me", "Straight Back", "Love in Store"-- these songs are worth buying the album, especially if it's used and under $10!

Re: Mirage....**snooze...**
 

The piano intro is identical to that the of The Dance version of Silver Springs. The original Rumours intro to Silver Springs sounds different, and I think it is on harpsichord.

I agree with you in a lot of ways on Mirage, although I like it more now than I used to. The only songs from Stevie I like on it are Gypsy and Straight Back.

I hesitate to say I like any of LB's songs on it, but Book of Love and Can't Go Back are tracks I usually don't skip.

Hold Me is the only song by Christine that I will listen to regularly from this album.

Overall, it has the feel that they were trying desperately to go back to a "Rumours sound". Best album cover though, in my opinion.

Re: Re: Mirage....**snooze...**
 

Piano players can actually hear the differences between the two intros. I could explain it in technical terms but it would be boring. Certainly the overall vibe of the intros is very similar, but technically there are slightly different things going on. Welcome to the ledge, Erick! It's great seeing you here after so many years from Usenet.

Hey David it seems you had about as much creativity coming up with a username as I did... haha...

Piano intros
 

Similar? Scarily. Identical? Hardly. I can hear the differences too. I also noticed none of Fleetwood Macs recordings are in tune. That really bothers me. But that's for an entirely different thread. LOL

Anyways, get this. I got Empire State stuck in my head the whole night at work. Played it today, and Hey! Its all good.

:D

I've played it through a few times and my final opinion is that it's not bad. There's few tracks that are outstanding but most of them are decent enough. The only ones I flat out don't like are Oh Diane and Eyes Of The World. Besides that it's a decent, if unspectacular album. But the majority of it I like. It doesn't reach out and grab you like tracks from Rumours, Mystery To Me, or Tusk, but it's a nice, mellow album. :)

Re: Re: Re: Mirage....**snooze...**
 

Me playing the piano is scary, which is why I can't tell the difference. :)

Thanks! Or as my girl mo would say, "Thanks, DaveDave!":D

Whoever said the album has a good flow got it right. As a result, I'm rarely compelled to skip a tune.

Now, what's with the dissing of Oh Diane? It's not greatness, but it's a decent pop tune. I even like Straight Back, even though I can only listen to it very occasionally.

The best songs are Eyes of the World and Gypsy. Empire State is cool, weird. Can't Go Back gets me rocking. In fact, if it weren't for Lindsey's three rockers of sorts, the album would be fairly dull. Lindsey saved it. Sure, he has much better songs in other albums, but Eyes of the World is one of my all-time favorites.

As for Tango, what was really exciting about it was hearing how the sound had evolved. This is when Lindsey discovered the Spanish guitar and has kept using it ever since. Rather, I should say the hybrid classical, which is what he actually plays. But bringing that instrument into the Fleetwood Mac sound, and consecutively Cradle, was a brilliant move.

Mirage isn't the best. It's decent. But stop dissin' Oh Diane, or I'll get Mrs. Carne after you!

Yes, we better start dissing "Only over you" instead. This one is really tacky.

Sure, it ain't no Rumours, but....
 

Mirage is not horrific either. :distress:

Love in Store - Great opener for the album, IMO. "Never take your love away..." LOVE that part!

Can't Go Back - I love the lyrics on this one, it's cute!

That's Alright - Perhaps doesn't really fit in on this particular album, but it's okay. Nice, cute, country feel to it.

Gypsy - GREATNESS!

Only Over You - I like this tune. Pretty, moody, soft and tender kind of song.

Empire State - It's all about the *plink plink* baby!! :nod: LOL

Hold Me - Great tune by Christine!

Straight Back - I really love this one, it's dark and moody. (Why am I on the word moody today? LOL)

Oh Diane - CUTE!! He really plays up the 50's vocal, dudn't he? :)

Eyes of the World - Classic song, and I'm glad they are doing it for the tour!!

Wish You Were Here - Yep, sounds like it's gonna be SS when it FIRST starts out, but yeah, it's an okay song. Kinda sad. :(

I am also guilty of having bought this album as a kid when it first came out on vinyl. Back then I remember taking a couple of listens to the album and then going back to listen to only "Gypsy," "Straight Back," and "Hold Me." I wore the grooves out big time! My impression at the time was that the album was basically all filler except for these wonderful new songs.

It wasn't until years later that I developed an appreciation for this album as a whole, especially the vocal arrangements. The three-part vocal harmonies are like a warm aura that makes each song sound full and lush even though the instrumentation on this album is relatively sparse. The arrangements on "Book of Love" and "Gypsy" are my particular faves. And as others have noted here, this is the Mac at their vocal peak. Accordingly, the "Mirage" tour was the last tour before they started relying on additional singers for their live performances.

On some levels, I would have to agree with you here. It's not an album I keep listening to repeatedly. Outside of "Hold Me" and "Love in Store," I think Christine's "Only over You" and "Wish You Were Here" are weak.

However, I do love "Straight Back" and "Oh Diane". (So add me to the "Oh Diane" fan club!) I love the 1950s sound Lindsey creates on it. :D

"Empire State"...that's another story. (blech)

This is definitely one of those Mac records that does require repeated listenings.