Do we really want a new Fleetwood Mac album?

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by RockawayBlind

It's not a pretty line, for sure. I would have just killed the line altogether and come up with something different. Unfortunately, Stevie seems to refuse to edit herself a lot of times, and that is to the detriment of the art, in my opinion.

As I pointed out, though, it was little more than a throwaway line near the end of the 'Tusk'-era demo. I doubt Stevie was married to it. If Lindsey was the sole arranger of the 'Say You Will' version, it was he who made it a focal point.

[Phil]

I have to say that I never had a problem with the lyrics for "Thrown Down" (the shift in tenses actually suited the song in my opinion), but I was always disturbed by the use of "ran" in "Smile At You". Johnny makes a valid point about Lindsey being the one to actually focus on what was undoubtedly an ad-libbed line in the beginning, most likely just thrown in as a rhyme whilst the song was being formulated.

[Macfanforever]

They need a quick paced producer .

I dont understand how some of these artists pump out award winning top of the charts albums loaded with hits every 4 to 8 months or yearly with a new album to that matter.

[Matt Lucas]

Originally Posted by Macfanforever

They need a quick paced producer .

I dont understand how some of these artists pump out award winning top of the charts albums loaded with hits every 4 to 8 months or yearly with a new album to that matter.

A lot of successful pop and "rock" acts these days use multiple writers/producers/collaborators, so they have different sets of sessions with these folks going on at the same time.

This has become the norm for pop music. Katy Perry worked with seven producers and a number of writers, engineers, and others on her TEENAGE DREAM album. Bruno Mars' new album lists eight producers as does Taylor Swift's most recent album. I count 16 producers on Maroon 5's last album. Even Paul McCartney used four different producers for last year's NEW.

I think this is a function of the industry now---acts and labels are looking for hit singles, not albums as works of art. Albums now are mostly collections of singles, and labels encourage acts to do different sessions with different producers so that there are more options for singles that sound a little different from each other.

Of course, many rock and country acts still work with one or two producers for a record. I hope that's the direction FM takes with the presumed new album.

matt

[BlueDenimLamp]

Originally Posted by Matt Lucas

A lot of successful pop and "rock" acts these days use multiple writers/producers/collaborators, so they have different sets of sessions with these folks going on at the same time.

This has become the norm for pop music. Katy Perry worked with seven producers and a number of writers, engineers, and others on her TEENAGE DREAM album. Bruno Mars' new album lists eight producers as does Taylor Swift's most recent album. I count 16 producers on Maroon 5's last album. Even Paul McCartney used four different producers for last year's NEW.

I think this is a function of the industry now---acts and labels are looking for hit singles, not albums as works of art. Albums now are mostly collections of singles, and labels encourage acts to do different sessions with different producers so that there are more options for singles that sound a little different from each other.

Of course, many rock and country acts still work with one or two producers for a record. I hope that's the direction FM takes with the presumed new album.

matt

Interesting...I wonder how this multi-producer concept would work for a new FM record...
Stevie, Lindsey and Christine each have their own studio with the producer of their own choosing...The 5 would simply go from studio to studio working on their respective parts as needed...As long as they stayed focused on the fact that it's a FM record and not a solo project the Mac could record a new 15 song album with lightning speed...

[AnthonyMI]

Let's not forget what a clusterfrak TISL was having elevendymillion producers and NO coherent "sound" whatsoever.

[CADreaming]

Originally Posted by AnthonyMI

Let's not forget what a clusterfrak TISL was having elevendymillion producers and NO coherent "sound" whatsoever.

[Matt Lucas]

Originally Posted by BlueDenimLamp

Interesting...I wonder how this multi-producer concept would work for a new FM record...
Stevie, Lindsey and Christine each have their own studio with the producer of their own choosing...The 5 would simply go from studio to studio working on their respective parts as needed...As long as they stayed focused on the fact that it's a FM record and not a solo project the Mac could record a new 15 song album with lightning speed...

No offense, but I hope they don't do that. I've never heard any album featuring tracks produced by three or more producers that sounded cohesive at all. Those kinds of albums end up sounding like...well...like what they are: patchwork groups of songs from completely unconnected sessions.

Now, if they wanted to take that kind of approach---each singer having sort of a "home base studio"---they could do sessions at different studios but use the same producer for all of them. That would hopefully have the dual benefit of letting each singer feel at home while at the same time having one person running all the sessions so that the sound of the recordings wouldn't differ too much from one studio to the next. [There would still be some differences because of rooms or gear like vintage mics, though.]

matt

[RockawayBlind]

Originally Posted by BlueDenimLamp

The 5 would simply go from studio to studio working on their respective parts as needed...As long as they stayed focused on the fact that it's a FM record and not a solo project the Mac could record a new 15 song album with lightning speed...

Disastrous. As soon as Lindsey starts to hear stuff that he would not normally want in a FM record, he's going to balk and the whole thing will fall apart. The three have to agree on a single producer and work with the person to come up with a uniform sound. Otherwise, the result will be inconsistent and probably sucky.

I kinda like the guy who produced the This is 40 songs. Probably the best production on Lindsey songs since Out of the Cradle, in my most humble opinion.

[Dex]

Originally Posted by RockawayBlind

I kinda like the guy who produced the This is 40 songs. Probably the best production on Lindsey songs since Out of the Cradle, in my most humble opinion.

Totally agreed.

[Matt Lucas]

Originally Posted by RockawayBlind

I kinda like the guy who produced the This is 40 songs. Probably the best production on Lindsey songs since Out of the Cradle, in my most humble opinion.

I wouldn't be unhappy if Jon Brion gets the gig. If we're looking at pure instrumental talent, he actually outshines Lindsey or Christine. No kidding. He's one of those prodigy/savant types who can play multiple instruments ridiculously well.

And he's certainly accustomed to working with egos. Jeez, the guy worked with Kanye West! His score for ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND is haunting and beautiful.

His production resume is very diverse, which is a good thing, but it's also missing big names outside of West. I'm not sure FM would consider him to be "in their league." I don't like a lot of the artists with whom he's worked, but I'll say that I've never heard a bad-sounding production from him. His productions sound GREAT. They have the richness and warmth of those classic '60s and '70s pop and rock records [like RUMOURS] but with just a hint of quirkiness [think '66-'68 Beatles] that makes them sound fresh.

matt

[Macfanforever]

Originally Posted by Matt Lucas

A lot of successful pop and "rock" acts these days use multiple writers/producers/collaborators, so they have different sets of sessions with these folks going on at the same time.

This has become the norm for pop music. Katy Perry worked with seven producers and a number of writers, engineers, and others on her TEENAGE DREAM album. Bruno Mars' new album lists eight producers as does Taylor Swift's most recent album. I count 16 producers on Maroon 5's last album. Even Paul McCartney used four different producers for last year's NEW.

I think this is a function of the industry now---acts and labels are looking for hit singles, not albums as works of art. Albums now are mostly collections of singles, and labels encourage acts to do different sessions with different producers so that there are more options for singles that sound a little different from each other.

Of course, many rock and country acts still work with one or two producers for a record. I hope that's the direction FM takes with the presumed new album.

matt

Thanks Matt for the input.That makes sense with more producers on hand.

[elle]

loved reading your posts Matt Lucas!!

Lindsey actually mentioned Daniel Lanois when he was talking about bringing the outside producer for the Mac last time around, so he at least was on his radar.

bringing back Dashut and Caillat harkens to Rumours II suggestions. it's been done, let's move forward people, see what some others can do.

my personal preference - give Froom a chance to finish what he started. but i can see Rick Rubin arguments too, and there were others on these boards who brought up his name in the past. (possibly even Lindsey mentioned Rubin at the same time as Lanois? can't remember exactly, but he did list 2 or 3 possible producers.)

[Matt Lucas]

Originally Posted by elle

loved reading your posts Matt Lucas!!

There are a lot of well-informed and talented people on this board, so I'm happy to be a part of it. I've actually been a member since 2001. I just don't have time to post that often!

Originally Posted by elle

Lindsey actually mentioned Daniel Lanois when he was talking about bringing the outside producer for the Mac last time around, so he at least was on his radar.

bringing back Dashut and Caillat harkens to Rumours II suggestions. it's been done, let's move forward people, see what some others can do.

my personal preference - give Froom a chance to finish what he started. but i can see Rick Rubin arguments too, and there were others on these boards who brought up his name in the past. (possibly even Lindsey mentioned Rubin at the same time as Lanois? can't remember exactly, but he did list 2 or 3 possible producers.)

Froom produced some of my all-time favorite-sounding records, so I would love for him to get a shot and knock it out of the park. But I have to admit---the songs on the EP are okay, but they don't sound great. Is that because they were rushed out? Who knows.

Thanks for sharing that about Lanois. I didn't realize that Lindsey has mentioned him in the past. That makes him an even more interesting option. I honestly don't see them getting along in the studio, but maybe they would surprise me! Lanois is a remarkably talented guy. The most striking thing about his prodcutions is what a variety of sounds he's created. The songs range from simple, stark acoustic tunes to swampy, dense blues, from horn-laden pop to vibrant, layered rock. He's a very talented guitarist and steel guitar player, and he's written some good songs, too.

The more I think about it, the more I think it could work.

In some ways, I think Dashut and Caillat would provide a kind of full circle thing, assuming this is truly the band's last record. But I agree that their participation would only encourage more "RUMOURS 2" comparisons. That album was created by completely different people under completely different circumstances. Lightning can strike twice, but not in the exactly same place.

Originally Posted by michelej1

I would say that Christine and Lindsey can have the same producers and work together with LB and any outside producer they want (or none) as they did on Tango.

Stevie can do whatever she wants. I hope she's been talking to Dave and maybe they can do something together, with the intent going in that Lindsey and Christine sing background on Stevie's stuff. It should be arranged with FM in mind. Dave can do that.

Umm...I don't really understand that. Lindsey and Christine have to work together and use the same producer, but Stevie gets to "do whatever she wants" and work with Dave?

With all due respect to Dave Stewart, who is a talented guy and who made some great music as part of Eurythmics, he is no Rick Rubin or Daniel Lanois. In fact, I wouldn't even say he's on the same level as Dashut and Caillat...or Lindsey, for that matter. His production has no personality. The best thing about him as he relates to FM is that he seems to work well with Stevie. That's not good enough to earn a spot in the producer's chair. It may be good enough for Stevie solo, but it's not good enough for the Mac. Just being honest. *grin*

The point of having a producer is having another set of ears in the room---someone who isn't personally connected to the songs or, sometimes, even the band. You want someone in that chair who can be encouraging but also impartial. Someone who can step back and say, "That's a good song, but what if you did THIS?" or "Of the 10 demos you've brought in, those three are complete crap, these other five have some potential, and the other two are fantastic."

I want a producer who will be that honest and direct and encouraging to all of the band members...not someone who will only make Lindsey confortable or only make Stevie happy. Maybe they'll make better music if they're NOT comfortable. That seems to have worked well for them in the past.

matt

[jbrownsjr]

Originally Posted by elle

loved reading your posts Matt Lucas!!

Lindsey actually mentioned Daniel Lanois when he was talking about bringing the outside producer for the Mac last time around, so he at least was on his radar.

bringing back Dashut and Caillat harkens to Rumours II suggestions. it's been done, let's move forward people, see what some others can do.

Dashut and Caillat did Tusk and Mirage as well. And if the EP is an indication of what others can do then I don't want to move on. I want good sound on the album.