Daily Telegraph Mac albums ranked worst to best
 

Not sure I agree with all this critic's ranking, but we're all entitled to an opinion! There's more text on the link. Only the occasional factual error here and there...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/m...orst-best.html

17 Time
16 Mr Wonderful
15 Penguin
14 Kiln House
13 Heroes are hard to find
12 Behind the Mask
11 Future Games
10 Say You Will
9 Bare Trees
8 Mystery to Me
7 (Peter Green's) Fleetwood Mac
6 Then Play On
5 Mirage
4 Tango in the Night
3 Tusk
2 Fleetwood Mac
1 Rumours

My main beef is ranking TPO below Mirage and Tango. BTM is way too high. I'm personally torn and would probably put Tusk on top. I'm pleased that MTM is recognised as the best mid-period album as it really needs to be discovered and appreciated in the UK but I would rate it over Mirage and Tango . It's tough trying to be objective, though. Is it just me, but I don't get the hate over the horns on Mr Wonderful. I think Peter's stuff is just great on that album but Jeremy's does repeat a bit too much on that one (sorry).

There'll be an 18 album list some day, I'm sure, just as long as they're all physically capable of recording for the next couple of years or so. As Christine said in her MOJO interview:


How long can you keep doing this for?

As long as it takes! We’re going good.

Obviously everyone will have their own list but for me this one isn't too far off. Not sure though how Fleetwood Mac can be above Tusk and I'm very sad to see Heroes... listed so low.

I know that Penguin has it's warts (which I think adds to its charm)... but to rank Behind The Mask higher than it? :rolleyes:

well, I guess you have to give this critic credit for even including all 17 albums and for at least putting MTM Then Play On and ahead of at least 2 albums stevie was on, but thats where the credibility ends. He just predictably ranks the rumours 5 1-5 and even more predictably put rumours and fleetwood mac 1 And 2. Mirage and Tango dont belong in the top 10 let alone 5. So overall this list is absolute crap, but it couldve been worse.

And Im making this prediction now, if a new album ever gets off the ground people like this critic will be placing it at #3 right after rumours and the white album, with the occasional critic putting tusk higher. write that down. whether it actually is or not to OUR ears, thats how it will be viewed.

I'd personally rank "Bare Trees" above "Mystery To Me". It's the best "Post Peter Green/Pre Buckingham Nicks" album, in my humble opinion!

Not to say that I don't love and appreciate "MTM", because I do! :)

no it won't. look where SYW is. (and all the hate for EP.)

critics like this one seem to rank based on perceived commerciality and how wide of an audience album had (in the US, probably). there is no way FM's final album(s) will be commercially successful, regardless of whether all 5 contribute or not.

I pretty much agree with this.

To me, rather this:
17 (Peter Green's) Fleetwood Mac
16 Kiln House
15 Then Play On
14 Mr Wonderful
13 Tango in the Night
12 Penguin
11 Time
10 Future Games
9 Say You Will
8 Mirage
7 Behind the Mask
6 Rumours
5 Heroes are hard to find
4 Tusk
3 Bare Trees
2 Mystery to Me
1 Fleetwood Mac

My favorite album of FM ist Bermuda Triangle, but I guess as a bootleg it doesn't count.

From the seventh position onward it's practically my personal list but I have to admit that I've never listened to the pre-BuckinghamNicks album as wholes, I just listened to single songs

Yeah, I disagree with a lot of the list. Here's where I stand:

17 Behind the Mask
16.5 [Live, 1980]
16 Time
[15.5] Greatest Hits (1985); The Very Best of; The Chain
15 Heroes
[14.5 The Dance]
14 Mr. Wonderful
13 Penguin
12 Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac
11.5 Pious Bird
11 Say You Will
10 Tango
9 Mirage
8 Mystery to Me
7 Future Games
6 Bare Trees
[5.5 In Chicago]
[5.25 English Rose]
5 Tusk
[4.5] Greatest Hits (1971)
[4.25] Live at the BBC, 1968-70]
4 Then Play On
3 Kiln House
2 Fleetwood Mac
1 Rumours


I inserted a few live and/or singles compilations where they presented new material. I'm sure I missed a few.

If I'm being honest with myself, the Green-Kirwan-era stuff has to be pretty high on the list, since they were doing some very interesting and creative innovating. The overall musicianship on those records is very high. English Rose, for example, still holds up beautifully--and is an ideal starting point for anyone who wants to hear the best pre-Then Play On non-hits.

The band sound sooooooooo good live during the 1974 tour, but the actual Heroes studio album sounds tired and listless. I don't know why there is this such a difference. If there were an OFFICIAL Heroes-era live recording, it would probably be high on the list, too.

And anyway, the ONLY Mac album I think is truly weak is Behind the Mask. The rest of them have some flaws or duds, but generally stand up as quality music. I think of Time, for example. Or of Mr. Wonderful--Greens' songs on that are terrific, and Christine's piano on them is excellent.

Agreed. What works on Penguin is excellent. That's basically more than half the record. Other than the two Dave Walker tracks and the all-too brief running time, it's a very good set.

Aaaand mine:

17 Time
16 Behind the Mask
15 Penguin
14 Tango In The Night
13 Mr. wonderful
12 Kiln House
11 (Peter Green's) Fleetwood Mac
10 Heroes are hard to find
9 Future Games
8 Bare Trees
7 Say You Will
6 Mirage
5 Mystery to Me
4 Fleetwood Mac
3 Rumours
2 Then Play On
1 Tusk

To me, the tracks never form an album or represent a band, they are all over the place, it is as if the sum is less, because the parts are assembled wrong. Some of the material is fine but as a whole, it's just distracting.

17 Future Games
16 Time
15 Mystery to Me
14 Mr. Wonderful
13 Then Play On
12 Bare Trees
11 Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac
10 Penguin
9 Behind the Mask
8 Kiln House
7 Fleetwood Mac
6 Say You Will
5 Heroes Are Hard to Find
4 Tango in the Night
3 Mirage
2 Rumours
1 Tusk

[QUOTE=AncientQueen;1168041]To me, rather this:
17 (Peter Green's) Fleetwood Mac
16 Kiln House
15 Then Play On
14 Mr Wonderful
13 Tango in the Night
QUOTE]

Wow... what did Tango In The Night do to offend you so much?

Why such vitriol to call it crap? It's just someone's perspective. The list is a reasonable assessment, and reveals the writer is a seriously informed fan.

I have hope for your prediction. I have a feeling this last album will be a stunner, with or without Stevie.

Mine from two years ago went like this:

17. Mr. Wonderful
16. Time
15. s/t (1968)
14. Behind the Mask
13. Penguin
12. Kiln House
11. Future Games
10. Say You Will
9. Mystery to Me
8. Bare Trees
7. Mirage
6. Heroes Are Hard to Find
5. Tango in the Night
4. s/t (1975)
3. Then Play On
2. Rumours
1. Tusk

It will change somewhat over time though, I know that from experience. :nod:

I'm fine with everyone who likes this album and certainly only talk for myself here.
I did not like it when it came out and that has basically never changed. Why? The production, some of the songs (Mystified is the worst FM song ever, EVER), "lyrics" like in Family Man, Elevator musik like "Skies the limit", the trilogie of terror that are Stevie Nicks songs here. I do like the Title Track, Isn't it midnight and the early demo of Everywhere, that was a little gem before Linds crushed it in production.

And then Little Lies happened, to this day, whenever I say: I like FM, everyone starts singing this song, linking me to this stupid, overproduced 80s c**p.

Dang, now that I've thought about it, I really dislike TITN, it should be my No. 17!

Your memory is clouding your judgement. Skies the limit is on Behind The Mask. I think that could mean Tango up a place or two on your list and BTM down one or two:lol:

Damn! LOL. Yes, my memory is not what it was :). Initially I had Skies the limit where it belongs. Okay, TITN is now at my 16th place, BTM stays where it was, since it has so many good tracks.

For me, Then Play On, Future Games, Bare Trees, MTM and Behind the Mask would all rank above Tusk, Mirage and Tango.

Last place is pretty harsh for Time. I'd be inclined to have Mr Wonderful last. I'd maybe even put Time ahead of BTM (though neither are awful).

Mystery To Me, Heroes Are Hard To Find, Future Games and Bare Trees are all good in their own way and all deserve a bit of recognition. My favourite out of those changes on a monthly basis. Penguin... some high points but not one to revisit too often- down there in the bottom 4.

But...Tango In The Night is the dogs b******s and definitely top 3.

...and yes, kicking back at night with TITN turned up is an experience- especially when Lindsey's guitar kicks in for the solo on the title song.

I'm surprised that their classic pre-B&N rank low here on their list.

I love TITN but the tour was Lindsey-less which puts the TITN tour down on a tour list if they have one.

I probably not even rank the EP since it was not a complete album.

When the Mac gets their act together.They probably kick a$$ with the new one.

I don't like Tango In The Night because of very bad Steviesongs, an overrepetative Caroline, the aweful Little Lies - I think it's predective and the middleoftheroadest of all Macsongs. And Family Man. Blerghh. Titletrack has a too much copied guitarsolo- come on! ISA! Half of that album is indegestible for me, although it was an exquisite ( but too slick) production.

Did you get a chance to let Lindsey know your thoughts when you met him?

17. Time
16. Behind the Mask
15. Mr. Wonderful
14. Kiln House
13. Penguin
12. Fleetwood Mac
11. Future Games
10. Heroes Are Hard to Find
9. Bare Trees
8. Mirage
7. Say You Will
6. Then Play On
5. Mystery to Me
4. Tango in the Night
3. Fleetwood Mac '75
2. Rumours
1. Tusk

Finally found a website that plays complete albums, so I now have a list. Full disclosure: haven't listened to BTM or Time, and have no interest in doing so.

17. Time
16. Behind the Mask
15. Penguin
14. Tango in the Night
13. Bare Trees
12. Mr. Wonderful
11. Say You Will
10. Heroes Are Hard to Find
9. Then Play On
8. Future Games
7. Kiln House
6. Fleetwood Mac '68
5. Mirage
4. Mystery to Me
3. Fleetwood Mac '75
2. Tusk
1. Rumours

8-13 could be put in another order, as could 5-7. Rumours and Tusk are basically a tie for 1st. My head says Rumours, my heart says Tusk.

Me too. :)

For me, Penguin, Kiln House, Heroes, Future Games, Bare Trees, Mystery To Me, and Then Play On would have all been ahead of Tango in the Night and Behind the Mask, in some order or other.

17. Kiln House
16. Mr. Wonderful
15. Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac
14. Penguin
13. Time
12. Future Games
11. Heroes Are Hard To Find
10. Then Play On
9. Behind the Mask
8. Mystery to Me
7. Say You Will
6. Bare Trees
5. Mirage
4. Tango In The Night
3. Tusk
2. Fleetwood Mac
1. Rumours

I was bored,so I averaged out members' posted lists-

17. Time- 15.375
16. Mr. Wonderful- 14.375
15. Penguin-13.125
14. Behind the Mask- 13
13. Fleetwood Mac '68- 12.375
12. Kiln House- 11.125
11. Future Games- 10.625
10. HAHTF- 9.375
9. Say You Will- 8.5
8. Tango in the Night- 8.5
7. Bare Trees- 8.125
6. Then Play On- 7.75
5. Mystery to Me- 7
4. Mirage- 6.375
3. Fleetwood Mac '75- 3.25
2. Rumours- 2.25
1. Tusk-2.25

I put Tusk over Rumours since it had more #1 votes, and TITN over SWY since TITN highest vote was #4 whereas SYW was #6.

I'm most surprised how low the '68 album is and how high Mirage is.

I'd rank Mirage high myself, but I don't know if my opinion is more sentiment than merit.

Michele

Actually I've noticed that in these last two years Mirage is having the same kind of revaluation that has already been benefited from Tusk. The same for Kiln House.
I think the driving thread between these two rediscoveries is that they are being reconsidered as a return to a basic rock.

17 Mr Wonderful
16 Behind the Mask
15 Time
14 Penguin
13 Kiln House
12 Peter Greens Fleetwood Mac
11 Say You Will
10 Bare Trees
9 Future Games
8 Heroes are Hard to Find
7 Mirage
6 Then Play On
5 Mystery To Me
4 Fleetwood Mac
3 Tango In The Night
2 Tusk
1 Rumours

For the BuckinghamNicks era, the first three FM albums were the ones where all three writers were basically firing on all cylinders. I do think McVie didn't produce as sharply hook-y pop songs on Tusk as she did on other albums, but that album is so brilliant otherwise that it's easy to overlook that.

Mirage suffered from Buckingham being subdued due to the backlash from the commercial "failure" of Tusk, TITN suffered from Nicks songs not up to the usual very high quality of previous FM albums, SYW was over-long but an otherwise very good album.

BTM definitely suffered from the lack of Buckingham, and I didn't even bother with Time.

I definitely think FM has more to give album wise - both Buckingham and Nicks have released a series of brilliant late career solo albums.