(2 stars) Sundaypaper Review

[MacMan]

Lindsey Buckingham
"Under the Skin"
(Reprise)
http://www.sundaypaper.com/AE/Arts/A...106-Music.aspx

Lindsey Buckingham
At the very least, Lindsey Buckingham's first solo project in 14 years is as far removed from a Fleetwood Mac album as the band's own '70s work was from its blues-rock origins. The guitarist and vocalist's three previous discs were often experimental and tricked-out studio excursions—fascinating to dissect with headphones, but only intermittently enjoyable.

Radically changing course, Buckingham unplugs here, playing most of the instruments himself for a practically drum-free exercise in wistful folk-pop. His cushy vocals are so prominently recorded with gobs of reverb, it sounds as if you're standing in a room with him, or in the case of the multiple overdubs on "It Was You," a bunch of hims.

But somewhere between the concept and the execution, Buckingham forgot to write memorable melodies. Or maybe he used them up on Fleetwood Mac's less-than-stellar 2003 comeback. There are flashes of ideas—some smart reflective lyrics and a few hooks—but everything is submerged below a dreamy, creamy acoustic meringue; sweet and airy, but nothing to sink your teeth into. He even unearths an obscure Jagger/Richards gem ("I Am Waiting"), but it too fades into the billowy sonic landscape. The guitar work is typically excellent, his finger-picking and atmospheric strumming beautifully and intimately rendered.

Flashes of brilliance appear on the sweeping, orchestrated ballad "Someone's Gotta Change Your Mind" and the marginally more upbeat "Show You How." But after nearly a decade-and-a-half wait, that's not enough for this effort to truly get under your skin. 2 STARS—Hal Horowitz