Fleetwood Mac Needs A Real Guitar Player (1990)

[WalkAThinLine.]

A mixed review of Behind the Mask

When Lindsay Buckingham wimped out on the 1987 ''Tango Tour'' I was hoping for guitar rock and roll to return to Fleetwood Mac. Wrong. Replacement guitar players Billy Burnette and Rick Vito filled the void for the tour, but not for the future.

Fleetwood Mac is a band of change, going through eight different memberships since their blues/rock beginnings in 1967. ''Behind the Mask'' is the first recorded edition of the sort-of-new Mac. The most positive part of the new lineup is that Christine McVie sings more. Instead of playing vocal song-tag with Steve Nicks, Christine takes charge of the album's real lead vocal responsibilities.

New guitarist Rick Vito described ''Mask'' as being an album of ''more guitar textures'' with ''a more rocking edge''. Yea, the guitar work is subliminally submerged into the slick arrangements ... but there's nothing rocking on the edge. In fact, only ''In The Back Of My Mind'' has any lingering on an edge with its haunting reoccurring bad dream. Here the cutting guitar solo of Billy Burnette is the difference between the man's reality and the memory of his past lover.

Produce Greg Ladanyi must have used ultra-gloss Ninja Turtle Wax in his high polished finish work of ''Behind the Mask.'' He has united the writing and performing talents of six individuals to turn out a smooth flowing piece of art. This album will sell. Instead of being a musically burdening challenge, difficult to interpret, this album is an emotion-filled pleasurable experience.

''Behind The Mask'' is a stimulating package. Highlighted by Christine McVie's unique ability to put you center stage into any song. ''Skies The Limit,'' ''Save Me'' and ''Behind The Mask'' are the best faces under the album's cover.

Even Stevie Nicks powerfully represents the message that ''Love Is Dangerous'' on one of her most dominant vocals as part of the Mac attack.

The only reason ''Behind The Mask'' isn't another instant winner for Fleetwood Mac is the missing unpredictability of Lindsey Buckingham.

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