Tusk - looking back 25 years later

[strandinthewind]

Originally posted by Johnny Stew
Actually, with 'Say You Will,' I think they've easily bested 'Tusk,' because they've found a way to marry the experimental, edgy side with the commercial, glossy side, in a way that draws you in and takes you on a journey from song to song. Rather than being totally off-balanced and somewhat alienating to the average listener, musically.

I think that's also the quality in 'Out Of The Cradle' that so many of us respond to... it's the perfecting of all of the best aspects of both approaches.

Having said that, 'Tusk' is a fabulous album with a lot of spirit and great music, and definitely deserves a lot of praise.

While I agree that SYW is a nice marriage of that, I think LB just went too far with that computerized gimmicky voice stuff. Conversely, on Tusk, it is all emotion and raw at that. But - to each their own

[Johnny Stew]

Originally posted by strandinthewind
While I agree that SYW is a nice marriage of that, I think LB just went too far with that computerized gimmicky voice stuff.

*lol*
Having lived thru 'Go Insane' and 'Tango In The Night,' I feel that the couple instances of VSOd voices on 'SYW' are actually quite tasteful, and while the choice was initially shocking in "Illume," I've actually grown to like it.
It's all part of that "edginess" we talked about.

But I see your point about a raw sound being preferable to a forceably created sound, because it's more emotional and real.
I guess it's just all about textures and where they're used.

[dissention]

I think that Stevie's stuff on Tusk is infinitely better than her SYW material, but I think Lindsey's stuff on both are equally amazing (although Save Me A Place, The Ledge, and Say Goodbye are the biggest masterpieces).

[dissention]

Originally posted by CarneVaca
Tusk is still No. 1 for me as well.

Cradle is a close second, and sometimes, it becomes No. 1. But Tusk is greatness, even with Christine's sleepers and the yawner that is Beautiful Child.

Christine's songs aren't very good, IMO, but I think every track of Stevie's is a classic. They are all amazing; the best she's ever put out.

[Johnny Stew]

Originally posted by dissention
I think Lindsey's stuff on both are equally amazing (although Save Me A Place, The Ledge, and Say Goodbye are the biggest masterpieces).

It's funny, because I see a lot of people list "Save Me A Place" as one of Lindsey's best... whereas, for me, it's near the bottom of the list.

I like it a little better than I used to, but still... the song just seems to plod along with nowhere to go.
The harmonies are beautiful, but that molasses-rolling-up-a-hill-in-June tempo kills it for me.

Of course, as I've said before, it's all a matter of opinion, and no song is write-off, as long as it means something to someone.

[Mageboy25]

As much as I LOVE Tusk, I HATE Not That Funny. I think its the most annoying worst Lindsey song ever. I jumped for joy when I learned I wouldnt have to cringe through it on the SYW tour!

[shackin'up]

Originally posted by CarneVaca
and the yawner that is Beautiful Child.

you don't mean that. SAY YOU DON"T MEAN THAT!

[ShamHy89]

Christine's songs aren't very good, IMO

I feel the exact opposite here. I have grown to absolutely love the vocals on Honey Hi, Over and Over is great, Never Make Me Cry is quite heartfelt (and sounds like The Way I Feel from MTM), and Never Forget is one of the biggest overlooked songs to me. The ending with Stevie singing "never forget" is just classic. Christine, did a nice job on the album in my opinion. Again though, to each his own

Shamus

[marc402]

The first time i heard tusk must have been around the dance period, about 2 years before i became a die hard fan.
I already had tango and rumours on cd, (and greatest hits,'88 european version and behind the mask on tape) so songs i knew were the title song and sara, but none of the other songs.
My uncle (of whom i borowed the Tusk cd at the time) told me "it is not anything like rumours i doubt you'll like it".
Well at that time he was right. I did not care for it at all and returned it to him after one listen.
When i became a diehard fan in '99 and i collected al my remaining mac albums on cd i ofcourse also bought Tusk.
With each listen i liked it beter and beter and beter.
Now it is even in my favorite cd list.
It has happend to me before that an album i don't like in the beginning (or don't much care for) i fall in love with later (supossed former infatuation junkie by alanis morissette and post by bjork come to mind)
I'm glad tusk was among them.
"Sisters of the moon" has even become my favorite altime song.
About the Christine tracks on Tusk, i can agree some may not be that memorable, but still some great gems in there "brown eyes" (hey i have brown eyes myself) and i love "never make me cry".
My favorite lindsey's include: "the ledge and "i know i'm not wrong"
So do i think it stood the test of time ?

It's way above time (no pun intended)

greetings marc

[GypsySorcerer]

Originally posted by dissention
Christine's songs aren't very good, IMO, but I think every track of Stevie's is a classic. They are all amazing; the best she's ever put out.

Completely, totally agree about Stevie's tracks. Her best ever. Period.

As for Christine, I think her material here is weak, definitely the weakest of the three. However, I don't *hate* any of her songs on the album. And I think that Brown Eyes and Never Forget are two of the best songs she's recorded.

[wondergirl9847]

When I first became a fan of FM (back in March 2001), I bought Tango and Mirage first, knowing that I loved 80's music. Fell instantly in love with the band and it's sound. Then, I came online, read not very good stuff about Tusk being nothing like Rumours and I got scared. I decided to wait to get Tusk after I got Rumours and the white album.

When I finally did get Tusk, I listened to it and went "Okay, some hit me right off the bat, some will take some getting use to." When I heard Beautiful Child, I fell in love with that song, it's my favorite off Tusk. Think About Me was another fave, it was so fun and upbeat. Lindsey's songs were crazy, nutty and at first, it was "Hmm...this is like Time Bomb Town Lindsey...I need to listen over and over (no pun intended. LOL) to fall in love with them."

Tusk is a journey. First, you go walking in the forest of mystic (Stevie's songs), then, you encounter the wild jungle and have adventures (Lindsey's songs) and lastly, you have the nice quiet walk in the woods (Christine's songs) towards home.

[Cristian]

I do believe that Tusk was possibly not Christine's best albums. Her songs sound a little repeated in lyrics, but they serve the purpose of slowing down the tempo and the mood (a pause from Lindsey) and giving the record some light, after the darkness of Stevie's songs (like the very sad "Storms"). Perhaps as individual songs they wouldn't work so well, but in the context of the album, I think they are perfect.

Plus, "Brown Eyes" might as well be one of the best things she's ever recorded; "Over & Over" and "Never Forget" are two great forgotten classics and "Think About Me" was even a small hit, and deserving so.

Oh... the album as a whole. Yes, I think Lindsey was the dominating force, his songs are crazy and I love them all except that he didn't need to write "Not That Funny" twice ("I Know I'm Not Wrong"); and I don't like "That's All For Everyone" either. Stevie presents some songs that would build her style as a solo artist in the future, being "Sara" the most brilliant in my opinion, although she has no low point in this album. Her five songs are great.

It's a fantastic listening experience.


Song of the moment - Love That Burns

[macfan 57]

I love Tusk. It used to be my favorite Fleetwood Mac album until I heard Mystery To Me. All 3 writers were in top form. "Brown Eyes" & "Storms" are my favorites. I think that Christine provided the needed balance between the Buckingham/Nicks songs. "Never Make Me Cry", "Think About Me" & "Over And Over" are especially terrific, in addition to "Brown Eyes", which is my favorite song on the album. I'm not normally a big Stevie Nicks fan, but this is probably her best batch of songs on any Fleetwood Mac album. "Storms" is my all time favorite song of hers and "Beautiful Child" is nearly as good. I think "Sara" is a bit tedious, but still OK. I really like most of Lindsey's songs here. "The Ledge", "Save Me A PLace" & "I Know I'm Not Wrong" are my favorites of his. "That's All For Everyone" meanders a bit, but is still OK. "I like "Not That Funny" on the album, but I HATE it live. It's too long & boring. I like Tusk better too when they played it live with Christine playing accordian. Tusk is a great album and it has aged very well over the years.

[diamondsnake]

Originally posted by strandinthewind
While I agree that SYW is a nice marriage of that, I think LB just went too far with that computerized gimmicky voice stuff. Conversely, on Tusk, it is all emotion and raw at that. But - to each their own

Oh I love that stuff, especially on Illume when Lindsey sings (in a woman's voice) "It's just like a river", then Stevie echoes that phrase in a computerized monotone voice. It is just too good for words!

[diamondsnake]

Does anyone else not care for Lindsey's stuff on this album? It is like he is too focused on being weird and being the exact opposite of Rumours that he forgets to make his songs listenable. I agree with Johnny Stew that SYW combines experimental with having mass appeal. Although SYW doesn't have that much mass appeal, it is still strange, you know?

Anyways, Tusk is one of my least favorites. SYW is better, imho, and at the moment is my favorite album.