FLEETWOOD MAC
Say You Will
Warner/Reprise Records
So is
this the return of the unstoppable Mac of the late 70s? Well, yes and no. Lindsey
Buckingham is back for the first time in 16 years and so is his unrelenting
experimentalism, but the pop tune craftsmanship and smooth, soulful voice of Christine
McVie (who actually fronted more Mac hits than either of her two more visible band mates)
is gone. So really, this is a pick up from where Buckingham and his long ago paramour
Stevie Nicks were before the duo joined Fleetwood Mac in 1974. Sure, there are obvious
throwbacks to the halcyon days. Nicks title track could be from Tusk, as
could the beautifully sparse melancholy of Buckinghams Say Goodbye,
but, surprisingly, the big problem here is
Buckinghams maverick nature itself. Red Rover is an acoustic based bit
of brilliance and would be stunning ala the live performances of Big Love and
Go Insane from the last tour, but on the studio versions, Buckingham simply
goes too far. The vocals are nearly indecipherable and distortions take away from
the effect of the song itself. This also mars another potentially great track called
Miranda. The good thing is, when he hits, he hits big! Come is one
of the most devastating tracks in the history of Fleetwood Mac. Its feverish,
hallucinogenic mix only adds to the chaos. Topping this track off is a mind-altering solo
that should permanently cement the fact that Buckinghams playing is truly awe
inspiring and tragically underrated. Also, Nicks writing is as solid as ever. Her
post-911 track Illume reeks of the impressionist poetry that is her trademark.
More rocking numbers like Destiny Rules and Running Through The
Garden are truly fitting displays of her vocal ability and the haunting album closer
Goodbye Baby is as ghostly and sad as a song comes. Ironically, the best songs
for radio are the least passionate. While songs like the timely Peacekeeper
and Whats The World Coming To are well written and played, they seem to
lack the fire of the deep cuts. Of course, the only Mac constants, drummer Mick Fleetwood
and bassist John McVie play solidly if not slightly restrained by Buckinghams hit or
miss production style. Say You Will amply displays that the band is still capable
of the greatness of their past. Unfortunately, without the invaluable and often overlooked
contributions of keyboardist and vocalist Christine McVie, this is no more the Fleetwood
Mac of yore than the version without Buckingham and/or Nicks. Imagine Rumours without
Songbird, Dont Stop, and You Make Loving Fun.
Thats what Say You Will is. The body of Fleetwood Mac is its rhythm section.
The brain is Buckingham and the soul is Nicks. Maybe if we didnt know what we were
missing, it would be easier to see the obvious brilliance of whats here.
Unfortunately, without Christine McVie, the heart of Fleetwood Mac is clearly gone. (3300
Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505)
Chris McKay/concertshots.com