Mirage at 40 - Page 4

aleuzzi · #46 07-04-2022, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bombaysaffires

I recall a review of the album at the time that called it a "music box" of sounds and I always thought that was a good way to put it... Metaphorically it is sort of a wind- up music box with lots of tinkly and plinky sorts of sounds and as you say, a bubbliness and cheeriness, even if lyrically some of the songs weren't as cheery (Gypsy is actually a bit dark, but the arrangement is most definitely not).

Oh, yes—wasn’t that the review in Rolling Stone? It’s an apt metaphor.

Macfan4life · #47 07-04-2022, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bombaysaffires

I recall a review of the album at the time that called it a "music box" of sounds and I always thought that was a good way to put it... Metaphorically it is sort of a wind- up music box with lots of tinkly and plinky sorts of sounds and as you say, a bubbliness and cheeriness, even if lyrically some of the songs weren't as cheery (Gypsy is actually a bit dark, but the arrangement is most definitely not).

Yes, the Rolling Stone review which was meh but a little positive but not overwhelming. I don't think they meant Music Box as a compliment. The review did end on a positive note that Mirage was an album you want to sit down to dinner with a bottle of wine with. Great for romance I guess

Mirage did not get great reviews and was shunned by rock stations. It was not the bounce back from Tusk the rock stations hoped for.
I love that everyone loves Mirage but I like diverse opinions. I remember when I first joined this board that Mirage was as popular as SYW

I don't know if those people left or people changed their minds.
Is there anyone that does not like Mirage? I love it but I wish the Mirage cut Smile At You was on the album. Its so powerful and awesome but maybe it did not fit the "music box" theme. I find the term music box insulting because it takes away from the creativity. A music box is light elevator music that is programmed and not daring. Thats how I saw the Rolling Stone review. They were right in some ways. I think Chris even mentioned that maybe they were too cautious with Mirage because of how Tusk got flamed. But the songs are good and everyone was still writing brilliant songs at this time especially Stevie.

moon · #48 07-05-2022, 03:35 PM

I really agree and love your comments!
In fact, the original Smile At You would have sounded great! But I guess they decided to include Straight Back as the "rock" song.
Reading this, I'm totally convinced that Oh Diane would receive more love if the band included the instrumental version on the final album!
Aaaaand, and, and I ask myself, what could happened if Teen Beat or Blue Monday were included too, replacing Empire State?? Would be Empire State a loved song today in character of a "rare" one?

**jbrownsjr** · #49 07-12-2022, 08:17 AM

https://www.loudersound.com/features...R1_LFnrrIL7KTs

Macfan4life · #50 07-12-2022, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

https://www.loudersound.com/features...R1_LFnrrIL7KTs

Thanks for posting. That was the best 40th Mirage anniversary article yet. Her take on Mirage is understandable. They are great songs but so commercial. Rumours was not trying to be commercial. Its that organic feel that makes songs great.

This is the second admission that Chris says she quit drugs around then. However here she says she was not on drugs during Mirage. The other interview I heard many years ago she said after the Mirage tour and during her solo album is when she stopped doing cocaine. It sounds like Chris loves making albums because as miserable as Tango was for the other band members, Chris loved it. I have heard Mirage stories of not so much fun. There was no air conditioning and too many drugs and Bella Donna was staring Lindsey in the face. They never even appear together in the Hold Me video which shows they were not getting along that well. Yet chummy Christine yet again talks about how much fun making Mirage was. Just interesting. I remember the People magazine article about Dennis's death and it showed the heart design in Christine's garden. Its so weird she hated it. Yet she loved him when he did crazy stuff. Just odd.
I always got the impression Stevie was not happy recording Mirage either. It interrupted her solo album tour and the lyrics of Straight Back.
Loved the Chris interview!!!!!

HomerMcvie · #51 07-12-2022, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

I remember the People magazine article about Dennis's death and it showed the heart design in Christine's garden. Its so weird she hated it.

That's because HE HAD THE FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLAR BILL FOR IT SENT TO HER!!!!

His GIFT to her was billed to her!!!!!! What a LOSER.

Macfan4life · #52 07-13-2022, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

That's because HE HAD THE FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLAR BILL FOR IT SENT TO HER!!!!

His GIFT to her was billed to her!!!!!! What a LOSER.

Its the thought that counts

He was a total nutcase. Many women flock to these guys. I found it chilling where she said the real Dennis was sweet but you rarely saw that side. So basically he's an ass**** 95% of the time.

HomerMcvie · #53 07-13-2022, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

Its the thought that counts

He was a total nutcase. Many women flock to these guys. I found it chilling where she said the real Dennis was sweet but you rarely saw that side. So basically he's an ass**** 95% of the time.

I must be related to her, because that's what all the women in my family do. They don't want some good Christian boy. They want a bad boy that treats them like sh*t. Because I guess that makes them "so excited".

Villavic · #54 07-02-2025, 06:21 PM

Is anybody sure when was Mirage released? Some sources say june 18, others including wikipedia says july 2.

If it's today, happy birthday Mirage.

**jbrownsjr** · #55 07-02-2025, 06:35 PM

I remember June.

HomerMcvie · #56 07-02-2025, 06:48 PM

I only remember hearing Hold Me coming on the radio, before the album was released, and me screaming at my friends to STFU, so I could bask in every note.

I was in the back seat of my friend Tracy's silver Honda Civic. That memory is forever glued into my brain.

We were at 7th and Jordan Ave, in Bloomington, IN, heading East towards dorms, when it came on. SERIOUSLY, ISN'T IT ODD how a few memories in your life are permanently engraved into your brain? I'll be remembering that on my death bed, still wondering what the weird "squawk" on the chorus was, after the third "hold me".

Street_Dreamer · #57 07-03-2025, 01:34 AM

Discogs.com has a listing for a "specialty pressing" that was released in 1982. Maybe there were special early releases before the official release date on July 2?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Villavic

Is anybody sure when was Mirage released? Some sources say june 18, others including wikipedia says july 2.

If it's today, happy birthday Mirage.

Macfan4life · #58 07-03-2025, 04:53 AM

Here are some fun and fast facts about Mirage.

Released July 2, 1982

Enters the charts with a bullet at #50 July 17, 1982

The following week July 24, 1982 enters the top 10 at #9

The next week July 31, 1982 it hit #3

The following week it knocks Asia from the top spot and hits #1 Aug 1, 1982

It would remain #1 for 5 weeks that summer
It gets knocked from the top spot by John Couger, American Fool on September 11, 1982

American Fool remained at #1 until November.
However what I did not know is Mirage stayed at #2 until late on November 27 it drops to #13.

American Fool also drops and Men At Work take over #1

For 4 months Mirage was #1 or #2 on the charts. If John Couger never existed Mirage could have been a #1 album for 4 months.

Imagine a MTV video for Love In Store. It could have extended its life on the charts.

Mirage sold 2 million copies in the states that year and it only hit #1 in the states. American Fool sold over twice as much 5 million.

Interesting footnote is Bella Donna dropped out of the top 40 albums chart on July 3, 1982 the exact time Mirage was released. Bella Donna would hang on in the top 200 albums for another year

BOTH Bella Donna and Mirage hit #1 just 4 weeks after release and almost exactly 1 year apart

Villavic · #59 07-03-2025, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

....
However what I did not know is Mirage stayed at #2 until late on November 27 it drops to #13.
....
Mirage sold 2 million copies in the states that year and it only hit #1 in the states. American Fool sold over twice as much 5 million.
...

The Mirage tour lasted just from sep 1 to oct 31. I wonder what the charts would have been like if it had been longer and especially if it had been worldwide.

Macfan4life · #60 07-03-2025, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Villavic

The Mirage tour lasted just from sep 1 to oct 31. I wonder what the charts would have been like if it had been longer and especially if it had been worldwide.

The tour may have helped but when the singles faded so did the album. Chris and Stevie already had their solo albums scheduled so they wanted a short tour. Did not Mick say in his book he was the only one in the band that wanted to keep the Mirage tour going?

Mirage could of had a few more singles but MTV was huge and Love In Store needed a video. The band used MTV in a huge way to promote Mirage and its ground breaking music videos. However the band barely got through the Hold Me video and no way they could have tolerated each other again for another video.
The Mirage singles really hit unusual walls. Hold Me stuck at #4 for 7 weeks or something. Gypsy was stuck at #12 for 3 weeks. Many mega songs cockblocked those singles from moving higher.