Daily Telegraph Mac albums ranked worst to best

[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.

[AncientQueen]

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
12 Penguin
11 Time
10 Future Games
9 Say You Will
8 Mirage
7 Behind the Mask
6 Rumours
5 Heroes are hard to find
4 Tusk
3 Bare Trees
2 Mystery to Me
1 Fleetwood Mac

My favorite album of FM ist Bermuda Triangle, but I guess as a bootleg it doesn't count.

[aleuzzi]

Yeah, I disagree with a lot of the list. Here's where I stand:

17 Behind the Mask
16.5 [Live, 1980]
16 Time
[15.5] Greatest Hits (1985); The Very Best of; The Chain
15 Heroes
[14.5 The Dance]
14 Mr. Wonderful
13 Penguin
12 Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac
11.5 Pious Bird
11 Say You Will
10 Tango
9 Mirage
8 Mystery to Me
7 Future Games
6 Bare Trees
[5.5 In Chicago]
[5.25 English Rose]
5 Tusk
[4.5] Greatest Hits (1971)
[4.25] Live at the BBC, 1968-70]
4 Then Play On
3 Kiln House
2 Fleetwood Mac
1 Rumours


I inserted a few live and/or singles compilations where they presented new material. I'm sure I missed a few.

If I'm being honest with myself, the Green-Kirwan-era stuff has to be pretty high on the list, since they were doing some very interesting and creative innovating. The overall musicianship on those records is very high. English Rose, for example, still holds up beautifully--and is an ideal starting point for anyone who wants to hear the best pre-Then Play On non-hits.

The band sound sooooooooo good live during the 1974 tour, but the actual Heroes studio album sounds tired and listless. I don't know why there is this such a difference. If there were an OFFICIAL Heroes-era live recording, it would probably be high on the list, too.

And anyway, the ONLY Mac album I think is truly weak is Behind the Mask. The rest of them have some flaws or duds, but generally stand up as quality music. I think of Time, for example. Or of Mr. Wonderful--Greens' songs on that are terrific, and Christine's piano on them is excellent.

[shackin'up]

Aaaand mine:

17 Time
16 Behind the Mask
15 Penguin
14 Tango In The Night
13 Mr. wonderful
12 Kiln House
11 (Peter Green's) Fleetwood Mac
10 Heroes are hard to find
9 Future Games
8 Bare Trees
7 Say You Will
6 Mirage
5 Mystery to Me
4 Fleetwood Mac
3 Rumours
2 Then Play On
1 Tusk

[KenB]

17 Future Games
16 Time
15 Mystery to Me
14 Mr. Wonderful
13 Then Play On
12 Bare Trees
11 Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac
10 Penguin
9 Behind the Mask
8 Kiln House
7 Fleetwood Mac
6 Say You Will
5 Heroes Are Hard to Find
4 Tango in the Night
3 Mirage
2 Rumours
1 Tusk

[SisterNightroad]

From the seventh position onward it's practically my personal list but I have to admit that I've never listened to the pre-BuckinghamNicks album as wholes, I just listened to single songs

[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.

[Macfanforever]

I'm surprised that their classic pre-B&N rank low here on their list.

I love TITN but the tour was Lindsey-less which puts the TITN tour down on a tour list if they have one.

I probably not even rank the EP since it was not a complete album.

When the Mac gets their act together.They probably kick a$$ with the new one.

[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.