5 reasons why you love TUSK

[WatchChain]

1) "Tusk" was Lindsey Buckingham flipping the middle finger to the record industry. It took balls to release this record! Only a few other acts with such mainstream pop success behind them would have risked their careers in this manner.

2) Rumour has it that, when record execs sat at a round table meeting for a first listen to "Tusk", they saw their Christmas bonus flying out the window.

3) "Tusk" is quite possibly the greatest Fleetwood Mac record ever made. In hindsight, it saved the band from becoming just another dinosaur rock act (even though, some would argue, they ARE just that).

4) The three part harmony vocals on "Tusk" are the greatest takes of any Fleetwood Mac album. If you need proof, just listen to "Honey Hi", "Never Forget", "Think About Me", "Beautiful Child", "Angel", and "Storms"....the perfect blending of the THREE VOICES is sublime.

5) "Over and Over" as the opening track? Why open the record that way? It was like a "washing clean" of ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that had come BEFORE that.

"Tusk" is sheer perfection!

[UndoingTheLaces]

Originally Posted by WatchChain

5) "Over and Over" as the opening track? Why open the record that way? It was like a "washing clean" of ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that had come BEFORE that.

I read a review where the writer says the beauty of Over and Over is that it lulls the listener into a false sense of security. On first listen you settle into this comfortable feeling that this is going to be a continuation of what you've had from Fleetwood Mac and Rumors... and then The Ledge just kicks your butt and from there on in the rest of the album is a roller coaster ride.

[landslide95]

Storms and Sara!

I remember an interview Bon Jovi did were they mentioned trying to top the success of Slippery When Wet. it was suggested they do a double album but the band refused. Their reason for refusing was Tusk. They didn't like the outcome it had on the band and the reaction some fans and the people in the music industry had.

While a double album is always risky, I don't see why people consider Tusk a flop. A lot of the songs were masterpieces but I can see why some people might find it a nutty album.

Ken Calliat said he tried to space Lindsey's weird songs out between Stevie and Chris's normal ones

[Wdm6789]

It's cool that it was a double album, but it really didn't need to be. All those minute and two minute songs, cut those and enhance all the others instead.

[jbrownsjr]

Over and Over
Sisters of the Moon
Never Make Me Cry
Brown Eyes
Storms

[KarmaContestant]

I only need one reason to love Tusk. It was the last time Fleetwood Mac recorded an album for the art of it all. Since then, it's all been about economics.

[Danigirl]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

I only need one reason to love Tusk. It was the last time Fleetwood Mac recorded an album for the art of it all. Since then, it's all been about economics.

Couldn't agree more.

[WatchChain]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

I only need one reason to love Tusk. It was the last time Fleetwood Mac recorded an album for the art of it all. Since then, it's all been about economics.

You are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!! I couldn't agree more with this statement.

[PenguinHead]

Originally Posted by Wdm6789

It's cool that it was a double album, but it really didn't need to be. All those minute and two minute songs, cut those and enhance all the others instead.

That assessment could apply to the Beatles White album. It was their only double album, and is very Tusk-like in it's departure from the norm. Each writer had songs that were in sharp contrast to the others.

It was deliberate decision to make Tusk a double album, giving each writer some breathing room.

It's only a matter of opinion, but I think those short songs are an essential reprieve between the long songs. They add diversity and unique character to the album. Tusk would not be Tusk without them. When Tusk was released, it was so unexpected that it was a challenge to fully appreciate it. Like many fans, I wished it sounded more like their two previous records. Fast forward: I'm elated that it sounds nothing like those albums.

[Kubrick2788]

Not sure I have 5, but:
1) That one-two punch of Over and Over/The Ledge that signals you're in for something different.
2) The fact that this is everyone at the height of their powers artistically, vocally.
3) Sara. I know some people don't like it, but this is beautiful and all the elements here are spot on. Playing, harmonizing, the Stevie-ness of it all lyrically. And the live performances from the era are all brilliant from what I've heard.

Maybe I'll add 2 later, but I feel like I covered it

[Wdm6789]

I think Sara might be Stevie's best song. We can't give her all the credit though, the piano tune on Sara is what makes the song, in my opinion. So thank you Christine for that beautiful piece of art. John's bass is brilliant too. I love his style on all of the songs, but the bass always works particularly well on Stevie's songs. Lindsey is also great for putting the song together, but the guitar should have been much more subtle. There are parts of the song where the guitar takes away from the piano. I think Sara world have been even better if it was even more piano heavy with a nice steady subtle guitar strumming in the background.

[WatchChain]

Originally Posted by UndoingTheLaces

I read a review where the writer says the beauty of Over and Over is that it lulls the listener into a false sense of security. On first listen you settle into this comfortable feeling that this is going to be a continuation of what you've had from Fleetwood Mac and Rumors... and then The Ledge just kicks your butt and from there on in the rest of the album is a roller coaster ride.

I LOVE this take on the opening track of "TUSK". The "false sense of security" theory is DEAD ON. WOW!!