DUET on SYW

[strandinthewind]

I just read a scathing review of SYW on www.burnish.net (thanks for posting!!!) from http://www.chartattack.com/DAMN/2003/04/1501.cfm

to wit: "Say You Will is unnecessarily long, dull and self-indulgent — and while it’s nice to hear Buckingham and Nicks’ voices together again (Christine McVie wisely sat this one out), these 18 songs are a black spot on Fleetwood Mac’s legacy." ouch!!!


The reviewer then said said "Nicks and Buckingham trade off lead duties on their respective mediocre songs, only rarely singing together and never reaching anything remotely resembling the sound or spirit that made them so successful."

Then I thought the reviewer is correct in the sense that LB and SN provide harmony only on each others' tracks. I then wondered why they did not do a full on duet like Leather and Lace, SDMHA, Two Kinds of Love, or even I Don't Want to Know from Rumors. Stevie has always said she loves duets and this would have taken away from the LB then SN then LB then SN esq. song format which many have disfavorably commented on.

Interestingly, I think they could have done this with "Smile at You." What do you think?

[Josh2003]

Actually, I think they actualyl HAVE done this with "Smile at You". I mean, Lindsey sings the chorus himself, with Stevie taking the "ahhhs" in the background.

It would have been nice for them to sing more on each other's songs, but like you said, the only time that they've done that was on "I Don't Want to Know", so I guess we shouldn't be too surprised that they didn't do it this time.

[stefan]

I am very happy that they didn't do the nonstop dueting. After hearing Peacekeeper the first time I thought we would get nothing but duets. I like the clear definitions and they provide fine harmonies enough on the album to make it feel like (and let it be) a group effort. I like it the way it is and btw- I don't want to know is (by far) not even the best song from Rumours imo...

Don't care about the critical review the guy made. He went home after work and put on his No angels or his Britney Spears CD to relax from hard work But seriously I believe there are some certain prejudices in those guys heads. We had a thread yesterday going on, where some of us discussed this topic. If anyone is interested, it were the threads "Reviews: USA today and RP" started by Blinker12 and the thread Newsday review... started by Carne.
Stefan

[strandinthewind]

I agree - most reviewers seemingly have no brains or, in my opinion, are lazy becasue they seem to make read other reviews and then make the same comments.

I do not consider Peacekeeper a true duet. When I say duet, I mean, SN sings a verse, then LB, then a chorus, etc.