Rumours Part 2... are you serious?

[Villavic]

I'm checking the Bob Brunning 2004 book "The Fleewood Mac Story - Rumours and Lies" I recently recovered, I had already given it up for lost until my brother called to say he’d found it in his attic. It’s a long story how it got there.

I had forgotten much of what is in that book, different or not included in Mick's book. One of those things caught my attention; I want to ask if anyone remembers any reviewer or critic saying this about Say You Will:

The new album, Say You Will, was completed in November 2002 and released in April 2003. It immediately entered the UK and US charts and was largely welcomed by reviewers and fans alike. Some reviewers carped a little, referring to it as Rumours: Part Two. But considering Rumours: Part One has now sold upwards of 25 million copies this might be regarded as a huge compliment, and certainly not something likely to worry Warner Bros.

If I had to choose an album as a Rumours 2 -which I don't— it would be Mirage. But not SYW. Not only because Christine isn't on it, but because it's quite different from Rumours.

[cbBen]

Perhaps they were referring not to the sound or sales of the album but to the subject matter, as on a few songs such as "Destiny Rules" "Thrown Down" and "Say Goodbye."

All those sped up vocals and instrumentation, and oddball production generally (not on the whole thing, but on much of it), are sonically at odds with not in keeping with Rumours.

[Mr Scarrott]

Bob Brunning's writing style was really terrible.

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by Mr Scarrott

Bob Brunning's writing style was really terrible.

It is much more condensed than Mick's book, and you can tell it is a collection of articles and interviews he must have kept. But though more condensed, it includes some info not mentioned in Mick's book.

Several stories in Mick’s book are also based on articles—some exact phrases appear in YouTube interviews—but most of the book is narrated as if he were recalling himself, sometimes adding a touch of emotional truth that makes the book more engaging. Of course, this can also spark controversy, as there is room for disagreement—especially if we have read other sources that contradict the account.

[Macfan4life]

SYW is nothing close to Rumours. It much more like Tusk. As the fans of this board always say: its too long, its too cold, its not mixed correctly, I cant sing to Immune, Lindsey had too much control. The same criticisms of Tusk. SYW is a brilliant album. I understand Lindsey completely. The album rocks and is a musical orchestra. Fleetwood Mac has never played like this on an album before. So much music basses thumping, drums rolling, great guitar, etc. Lindsey's guitar offends people on Come. Boo hoo

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

SYW is nothing close to Rumours. It much more like Tusk. As the fans of this board always say: its too long, its too cold, its not mixed correctly, I cant sing to Immune, Lindsey had too much control. The same criticisms of Tusk. SYW is a brilliant album. I understand Lindsey completely. The album rocks and is a musical orchestra. Fleetwood Mac has never played like this on an album before. So much music basses thumping, drums rolling, great guitar, etc. Lindsey's guitar offends people on Come. Boo hoo

I agree it's nothing close to Rumours. Tusk too long? Maybe (I'm sure Warner thought so), but I didn't find it cold. I'm not a music pro so I can't analyze SYW or compare it to the other albums technically. What I do know is that, even though there are some things I didn't like about Tusk, I listen to it very often, entirely. I rarely listen to SYW.