[blinker12]

I became a Fleetwood Mac fan in 1990, after the release of "Behind the Mask." It was a strange time to become a fan, because Mac were really at or near their lowest point of popularity in 15 years. Anyway, I was in high school at the time, and I remember feeling like I had to keep my love of Mac and Stevie secret _ that's how unpopular they were. NOBODY respected Mac back then. In the eyes of most young people, they were just a big, galumphing dinosaur of a band that made syrupy pop music. Stevie, in particular, was considered ridiculous. I remember reviews at the time referring to her as a Baby Jane-like character: aging, fattening up but still clinging to the clothes and hair she wore in her youth.

So, Johnny Stew, I think it IS fair to say that Mac and Stevie were regarded as has-beens for a fairly long period _ say, 1988 to 1995. Fans (especially young fans) felt the need to remain closeted. Courtney Love, Billy Corgan and Sheryl Crow hadn't come around yet to name-check Lindsey and Stevie.

Now, is it fair to say Stevie and Mac lost their talent during the 1988-1995 period? No, I don't think so. I don't think you ever really lose talent; I think you're born with it. But was the music they made uninspired? IMO, yes. I mean, "Time"? The new tracks on "Timespace"? Most of "Street Angel"? Pretty disappointing stuff. And Stevie's voice was really at its low point during this period, too. Flat and inflexible.

Thankfully, both Mac and Stevie seem to have been rejuvenated by "The Dance" reunion. Carnevaca, you say Stevie hasn't written a good song in 15 years, but I think her writing has shown a lot of improvement recently. Some of the stuff on TISL is overproduced, but there are some very well-crafted new songs on there: "Love Is," "Trouble in Shangri-La," "Bombay Sapphires" and "Love Changes" spring to mind. And her lyrics have become much more concise. I don't think she was capable of writing lyrics as direct as those in "Love Changes" in the early 1990s.
As for her singing: that, too, is on the rebound. Check out the high notes on "Sorcerer" or the soft, tender delivery of "It's Only Love." She's not bellowing everything at the top of her lungs anymore; she's rediscovered subtlety.

I think we should just admit that Mac and Stevie did go through a pretty uninspired period. Should they be forgiven for that? Sure. But now they're back, making some really relevant, tuneful music. They're back in touch with their talent!

P.S. I think this is a really interesting discussion and I'm glad we're having it.