[This is a CD review]
Atlanta Journal and Constitution, August 14, 1997
Russ DeVault
The one constant during Fleetwood Mac's 30-year run has been Mick Fleetwood, so it's no surprise that his powerful percussion thumps open the reunion album with Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, John McVie and Lindsay Buckingham. What follows on the collection, due in stores Tuesday, isn't at all surprising, either ---but that doesn't mean it's not good listening.
This lineup, last together in '87, when the 10-year sales total of "Rumours" was in the millions, always sounded sublime but was capable of bogging down with bad tunes and mood-altering substances. So the group side-stepped the lame-tune woe by slightly reworking "Rhianon," "Landslide," "Go Your Own Way," "The Chain" and so many other familiar songs that you hardly notice four new tunes: "Bleed to Love Her," "My Little Demons," "Temporary One" and "Sweet Girl." All have solid vocals and music but aren't headed for hitsville.
Instead, what's alluring is the way the group, now claiming a settled-down maturity after more personnel changes, breakups, divorces and substance abuse problems than many major league sports teams, puts a live spin on the classics. Time has dealt fairly leniently with their voices, although the ethereal Christine McVie seems to have weathered it better than Nicks, once a supreme mesmerizer and now possessor of a pleasant voice that's lost some of the compelling urgency heard on "Rumours" and the follow-up "Tusk." Still, there are occasions ---notably on "The Chain" and "You Make Loving Fun" ---when the old magic sparks and the five musicians seem possessed by the music and united by the need to give it voice. Access code: 210
|