Mirage at 40

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by moon

Come on, the whole Mirage, with demos and rarities, is GOLD!!!! You won't find that kind of songs in any other FM album. I mean, Empire State, Oh Diane, Goodbye Angel, Smile At You, Teen Beat, Blue Monday, Can't Go Back...
Lot of people have very mixed thoughts about them, but come on, you can't forget them! Even for something bad, you will remember them as "that crazy FM song", or "that song which needed to be included on...". Am I wrong??
Probably this album was not the most successful of the band, but has more rare and different songs than any other album. Rumours, Tusk and TITN had a very unique style. Mirage isn't.

I love Mirage and agree the reissue gives us so many delights. I will disagree about Mirage not having a “unique style.” Regardless of the very different songs being thrown together all is unified through the production. The sound on Mirage is pure pop, generally major-key songs with catchy melodies and youthful lyrics. There’s a bubbly ebullience—and warmth. (Tango has all but the warmth.)

The production on each FM record since 1975 is distinct, so that each album sounds like an intentional album rather than a storehouse of songs. Even the White Album has a different sound than Rumours, though these two records are closest in style to one another.

[ricohv]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

I love Mirage and agree the reissue gives us so many delights. I will disagree about Mirage not having a “unique style.” Regardless of the very different songs being thrown together all is unified through the production. The sound on Mirage is pure pop, generally major-key songs with catchy melodies and youthful lyrics. There’s a bubbly ebullience—and warmth. (Tango has all but the warmth.)

The production on each FM record since 1975 is distinct, so that each album sounds like an intentional album rather than a storehouse of songs. Even the White Album has a different sound than Rumours, though these two records are closest in style to one another.

Couldn't have said it better myself-I agree 100%!

[bombaysaffires]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

I love Mirage and agree the reissue gives us so many delights. I will disagree about Mirage not having a “unique style.” Regardless of the very different songs being thrown together all is unified through the production. The sound on Mirage is pure pop, generally major-key songs with catchy melodies and youthful lyrics. There’s a bubbly ebullience—and warmth. (Tango has all but the warmth.)

The production on each FM record since 1975 is distinct, so that each album sounds like an intentional album rather than a storehouse of songs. Even the White Album has a different sound than Rumours, though these two records are closest in style to one another.

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).

[aleuzzi]

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.

[jbrownsjr]

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

[Macfan4life]

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]

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]

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.

[Macfan4life]

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]

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?