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...
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.
