Review: Rumours- Fleetwood Mac

Cover Art

  Since we recently celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Rolling Stone's 26th greatest album of all time, Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, it seems rather fitting to take a look back at the instrumentation and production that made this album one of the most memorable records to date. Considering it is still the 10th best-selling album ever, its longevity in the world of music is pretty self-explanatory.

This timelessness is especially illustrated when looking at the fact that my 50-year old father found connections to the same songs that his 18-year old daughter is listening to years later. The band's success with this album is ridiculously surprising given the turmoil and tension that it was recorded under. Before getting into the ingenious musical intricacies from this record, it is important to understand a little background about the band members and the formation of the Fleetwood Mac we know today.

Prior to formation of the dream team that created the 1977 Rumours record, Fleetwood Mac started off with its most consistent members Mick Fleetwood (drummer) and John McVie (bassist) who are the inspiration for the band's name. Throughout the late 60's the original group was considered a British blues quartet until they moved towards a more progressive sound around 1970. As their sound changed, their line-up did as well as certain guitarists left and keyboardist Christine McVie (married to John) joined. The golden group of Fleetwood Mac was born in 75' when legendary Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks provided their strong vocals and songwriting skills to the greater music world. After the skyrocketing success of Rumours and through 2 albums in the 80's, prominent members Nicks, Buckingham and Christine left the group. The lasting remnants of FM didn't fair too well until, as there always is, a reunion tour blasted off in 97' to celebrate the founding of the band.            
                                               Click Here for Fleetwood Mac's homepage
The constant shift of musicians lead to varying musical styles which changed their sound. This has left us with many versions of Fleetwood Mac. As it turns out, FM's Rumours model was the groups' steepest and longest ascension into music history.
     
  About Rumours


Track Listing



• Recorded in 76' and released in early 77'
• Won Album of the Year at the 1978 Grammys
• Three couples within the band broke up during the recording sessions
• It stayed #1 on the charts for 31 straight weeks and all 4 singles broke the top 10
• Popularity gained from emotional lyrics and its sense of romantic liberation (pure 70's vibe)

Surprisingly enough, the look and feel of the album is very high-energy with its original rhythms and up-tempo numbers. This immediate contrast between the music and the message of the lyrics tries to trick the average listener and makes the final product that much better. With a wide variety of styles, both sides of the 11 track LP offer something new and fresh from the acoustic guitar plucking of "Never Going Back Again" to the country-esque taste of "I Don't Wanna Know". Rumours definitely represents the change in music in the mid-seventies towards a progressive pop/funk style. The transition between upbeat songs like "You Make Loving Fun" and more quiet ballads like "Oh Daddy" really add a change of pace that showcases the group's instrumental and vocal talents.

The two aspects of Rumours that make it a genuine masterpiece are the lyrics and the musical simplicity. Songwriters Nicks, Buckingham and McVie wrote a majority of the songs and the differences in point of view between the separating couples of Nicks-Buckingham and the McVies is why it connects to so many people. Such raw emotions of anger and grief shine through in Nicks' poetic "Dreams" and Buckingham's rollicking "Go Your Own Way". All five members of the band collaborated on the expressive rock feel of "The Chain" incorporating a fantastically memorable bass solo leading into the climax of the song. The multiple harmonies draw attention to certain lines of the song that should be highlighted. Whichever style or whatever instrumentation is used the ultimate success comes from the emotion. On a musical level the rhythms and use of both acoustic and electric instruments gives us an ingenious collection of sound that can transport you to any moment in time. 

Why it lives on: Sure, Rumours has its own set of critics who complain about personal distastes but there are going to be those people on every piece of music. I'd say the opinions of these people really do not matter because, guess what, it is 35 years after the release and these songs are as relevant as they were in 77'. The diversity of style between songs and the sheer emotion radiating from every part of the music blows me away. If you don't listen to progressive rock or if you simply don't like Fleetwood Mac, this is still an album that is worth your time. It is surely my #1 record in times of relationship distress, thank you Lindsey for the harsh words and Stevie for the poetic grief. In 50 years we will all be either old or gone. Rumours will be neither.   

"I can still hear you saying we will never break the chain"

Artist Recommendations

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers                                              The Mamas & the Papas                    

Break-Up Song Playlist

My Top 5 Most Beautiful Break-Up songs:

5. Someone Like You - Adele (2011)
Yes I know it's slightly overplayed on the radio, possibly very overplayed. But it's certainly not overrated. From the soft piano introduction to the hesitancy of her voice as she goes up to the chorus for the last time, it's heartache, grief and acceptance all within four or so phrases. The rhythmic difference between the instrumental accompaniment and her vocals draw me to her voice. Not to mention it's catchy, most people are guilty of belting out Adele when no one's around-sometimes even when they are.

4. Ain't No Sunshine- Bill Withers (1971)
Not necessarily written about a personal break-up, this R&B classic sure lends itself to the category. It has plenty of soul and the memorable riff of  "I knows" that just seems to capture what he's saying in two short words. Withers jumps right into the song without an interlude and really, there's no intro needed for this authentic bluesy number.
  Click Here for Lyrics

3. I Will Always Love You- Whitney Houston (1992)
Sorry for those of you who live and die by the Dolly Parton 1974 original but this is probably the only exception I have for the whole "a cover is never better than the original" rule. Immediately after hearing the a capella introduction in her quiet yet clear voice I can feel her despair and it is breathtaking. I still get chills every time I hear the anticipated explosion of sound into the key change. No one else could have effectively turned a country ballad into a contemporary soul hit.

2. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac (1977)
One of the ultimate break-up songs written at a time when band members Nicks and Buckingham were breaking up themselves in the midst of recording it. Although that studio must have been radiating with tension, the end result is a piece of heart-wrenching gold. With an unusual rhythm and uncommon FM guitar solo, I find myself bobbing along to the beat despite the deep meaning behind the lyrics. You can hear the anger in his voice as it fills with passion through the chorus. I love it.
  Click Here for Lyrics

1. For No One - The Beatles (1966)
Although this is not even in my top 10 favorite Beatles songs, it is such a beautiful if not melancholy ballad written by McCartney about a struggling relationship in the midst of his Beatlemania days. In his muses defense, he probably wasn't the easiest of boyfriends.This song is the epitome of loneliness and feeling unappreciated that anyone can relate to whether it be in a romantic relationship or not. The lyrics, bass line and layering of instruments all add to its musical genius. Maybe it's the simplicity of the structure that makes this song stand out on my list. Either way, it's a fantastic song to behold.