Daily Telegraph Mac albums ranked worst to best

[Mr Scarrott]

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.

[FuzzyPlum]

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.

[louielouie2000]

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

[Hawkeye]

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.

[sorcerer999]

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!

[elle]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

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.

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.

[James89]

I pretty much agree with this.

[PenguinHead]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

but thats where the credibility ends. 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.

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.

[face of glass]

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.

[FuzzyPlum]

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.

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

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

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.

[AncientQueen]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

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.

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.

[FuzzyPlum]

[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]

Originally Posted by shackin'up

Aaaand mine:

17 Time
16 Behind the Mask
15 Penguin
14 Tango In The Night

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

[AncientQueen]

Originally Posted by FuzzyPlum

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

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!

[FuzzyPlum]

Originally Posted by AncientQueen

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