Each of FM’s albums from 1975-1987 has its own unique personality and reflects a decisive approach to a specific aesthetic. They cannot be collapsed and combined. This is one of the reasons why, to date, there has not been a wholly satisfactory (as opposed to financially successful) compilation: the hits need to be sequenced alongside the non-hits in their original context. Groups like The Eagles and Doobie Brothers benefit from a greatest hits format because their individual albums are not as compelling as FM’s—and I would be ready to debate this with anyone.
Another note: I read a lot of blogs and posts saying that Tusk marked the beginning of the group fragmentation, the absence of all three principal singers on each of the songs, not to mention the instrumentalists. To some extent this is true, but there are A LOT of songs on Tusk that show off the full band and all three singers. And when this happens it’s magical. Same for Mirage. Tango’s another story...
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