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Fleetwood Mac is one of the most iconic and influential bands in rock history, known for their unique blend of blues, pop, and rock over their decades-long career. Originally formed in the late 60s as a British blues group, the remaining members of the band moved to California and changed styles to fit the music scene. The lineup of drummer Mick Fleetwood, bassist John McVie, and singer and pianist Christine McVie added American musicians Stevie Nicks (vocals) and Lindsey Buckingham (guitar and vocals), creating a global supergroup.
The band’s rock breakthrough came with their 1975 self-titled album, Fleetwood Mac, followed by the 1977 masterpiece Rumours, which sold ten million copies in the first year and became one of the best-selling albums of all time. In these albums, Mac captured the hearts of fans with their pop-rock sound and emotionally charged lyrics, often reflecting the personal relationships within the band.
After Rumours, fans and the press urged the band to put out another album. Expectations were high for a commercial masterpiece, but the album that followed, Tusk, unfortunately, did not sell well comparatively. The 1979 album only peaked at No. 4 on the US Billboard 200, produced two top-ten singles, and sold four million copies. It also happened to be the most expensive album recorded at that time, with a price tag of around $1.4 million.
This album, much like the later Tango in the Night, was a Lindsey Buckingham project. He took creative control and directed the other band members around the studio, experimenting with microphone placements, percussion sounds, and new recording technology.
The twenty-song monster album was able to feature all band members’ strengths and many different musical styles and is a good blend of talent.
The album’s most famous ballad, “Sara,” sung by Stevie Nicks, explores themes of love, loss, and internal conflict. Its haunting melody and lyrics express Nicks’ vulnerability and emotional depth. Some fans think the song is about Nicks’ unborn child with Don Henley of the Eagles.
Another beautiful song is Nicks’ “Storms”, the second track for side two. The calm guitar and tambourine contrast with the lyrics “but never have I been a blue calm sea / I have always been a storm”, and create an emotional ballad.
Christine McVie’s vocals on songs like “Over and Over” and “Honey Hi,” reflect her traditional approach to writing love and relationship songs. Her warm vocal tone makes both songs a great comfort listen.
Buckingham offers a stark contrast to McVie’s warmth in his tracks “What Makes You Think You’re the One” and “Not That Funny”. He has a condescending and abrasive tone to his voice, and the layered guitar and percussion add to the roughness of the tracks.
The band featured the University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band on the title track “Tusk”. The percussion-heavy song was an experimental sound from the Mac but has become a fan favorite. The song has remained a classic marching band stand tune for high schools and colleges across the country. The music video for “Tusk” features both the members of Fleetwood Mac (minus John McVie–they had a cardboard cutout of him instead) and the USC band in Dodger Stadium. Nicks, a former twirler, shows off some tricks with a baton while the band marches around the stadium.
In hindsight, Tusk is now considered a classic. Though its commercial reception was somewhat of a disappointment, the album has become a symbol of music freedom for other artists. Even the bizarre cover art of a small photograph of producer Ken Caillat’s dog was out of the norm for the music scene. Fleetwood Mac took risks in a way few other bands would, challenging the expectations placed on them and creating a decent album in the process.
Rating: 8/10
Main attractors: The contributions of all five members of the band are seen, especially Buckingham. He pushes the boundaries of a traditional rock album, creating an outstanding work of music. Nicks again emotionally connects with fans through her lyrics, helping to grow her fan base ahead of her solo days. There is a wide range of styles presented throughout the album, giving fans a thorough listening experience.
Main detractors: The twenty-track album is a little long for a casual fan, and Buckingham does receive an immense amount of–possibly too much–creative freedom. With a more creative project also came not as many radio singles and less airplay, upsetting both the band and fans. It is still a valiant effort to channel the success of Rumours, and though not as commercially celebrated, it is a significant album in Mac’s discography.
