Behind The Mask turns 28

dontlookdown · #1 05-01-2018, 01:18 PM

I remember really liking it when it came out; although I don't think it's stood up well over time.
The Stevie Nicks songs are pretty mediocre, but Christine's are all good, especially the title track. It was definitely a moment for her, as was Tango In The Night.
As for the rest, they're fairly unmemorable.

Street_Dreamer · #2 05-03-2018, 02:52 PM

I wish BTM would get the treatment that the Rumours-era albums got but I know it's never going to happen.

bwboy · #3 05-03-2018, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dontlookdown

I remember really liking it when it came out; although I don't think it's stood up well over time.
The Stevie Nicks songs are pretty mediocre, but Christine's are all good, especially the title track. It was definitely a moment for her, as was Tango In The Night.
As for the rest, they're fairly unmemorable.

I agree that Stevie's songs were very lacking... but everyone else really stepped up their game on BTM. The album was more guitar driven, something I had missed since Rumours. Christine was really at the top of her game here, continuing her streak from Tango. Even her songs from the Chain box set were incredible- Love Shines and Heart of Stone showed that a Mac lineup with Mick, John, Christine, and Billy would have been just as formidable without Lindsey or Stevie!

Street_Dreamer · #4 05-08-2018, 11:21 PM

I didn't like the tour set list. The fact that the first song from the album was buried more than halfway through the set. I know In The Back Of My Mind was eventually moved to earlier in the set which it should have been. Stand On The Rock was definitely one of the worst choices to play live. When The Sun Goes Down is a good song to dance to but it's not something Fleetwood Mac should have played live IMO. Love Is Dangerous is okay but it isn't a good live song either. Skies The Limit, Hard Feelings, Freedom and When It Comes To Love would have been great.

pryderi · #5 05-09-2018, 01:17 AM

I enjoyed BTM when it came out. Save Me was an incredible lead single. It's been a while since I've listened to it. I remember attending the Rumours convention in Virginia Beach the same year. During the party the DJ played The Second Time as the closer. Fun times! Just a lot of fans gathering to share their love of the band.

Murrow · #6 05-09-2018, 04:43 PM

I have always LOVED that album. I bought it the day it came out and I remember thinking Billy and Rick were just the shot in the arm Mac needed as I felt LB's production on Tango was too commercial compared with the organic sound of White Album and Rumours.

Chris was still every inch Chris on Skies the Limit and the title track and Rick Vito totally rocked - Love is Dangerous and Stand On the Rock remain firm favourites of mine.

I have to confess I wasn't a big fan of Billy's writing though - note that his contributions were either collaborations/duets with other members or written with outside professionals. I couldn't help thinking he probably had very little to do with the writing of When It Comes to Love which bore all the hallmarks of Simon Climie and Dennis Morgan its co-writers. Climie of course was the vocal half of the short-lived Climie Fisher duo (remember (Love Changes) Everything?) and went on to produce and co-write Eric Clapton's ill-advised forays into drum machines like My Father's Eyes.

That said I can't help but salute Billy for standing by Mick through the wilderness years that culminated in the commercial disaster that was Time.

bwboy · #7 05-09-2018, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pryderi

I enjoyed BTM when it came out. Save Me was an incredible lead single. It's been a while since I've listened to it. I remember attending the Rumours convention in Virginia Beach the same year. During the party the DJ played The Second Time as the closer. Fun times! Just a lot of fans gathering to share their love of the band.

I agree, especially with what you said about Save Me. I know radio was changing at that time, but I was truly surprised the single didn't chart higher. Christine sounded sensational on it and she looked beautiful in the video. And I love Rick's guitar playing, too.

**jbrownsjr** · #8 05-10-2018, 07:18 AM

I enjoy this album. It's such a departure from Tango and sounds like a band album. There are some clunkers of course. I remember being in college and it got played on college radio quite a bit.

As Long As You Follow is also a great tune. Christine was on fire and even stole the show in Cleveland for the concert. *Richfield to be exact.

StevieandChris · #9 05-10-2018, 09:42 AM

I am in the minority but I like three of Stevie's four songs on this album. That said, I do often forget about them. Love is Dangerous, Freedom and Affairs of the Heart are really fun when I do listen to them, particularly the first two. I dislike The Second Time. I think they are stronger songs than her Tango in the Night Songs.

Behind the Mask is a great song.

StevieandChris · #10 05-10-2018, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

I enjoy this album. It's such a departure from Tango and sounds like a band album. There are some clunkers of course. I remember being in college and it got played on college radio quite a bit.

As Long As You Follow is also a great tune. Christine was on fire and even stole the show in Cleveland for the concert. *Richfield to be exact.

As Long As You Follow may be my favorite Christine song. Did she ever perform this live? It's on my wish list for this upcoming concert....really want to hear it.