Review

Media Studies, Review of Fleetwood Mac’s album Rumours

Fleetwood Mac’s incredibly famous and successful album Rumours was released in 1997, and as of current record has sold over 40 million copies and is one of the best selling albums of all time. It also ranked 25^th on Rolling Stone magazines list of greatest albums of all time. Boasting its most successful and memorable line up of Mick Fleetwood on drums, John McVie on bass, Christine McVie on vocals and keyboard, Stevie Nicks on vocals and Lindsey Buckingham on vocals and guitar, they have  produced one of the most iconic albums of all time. Rumours is comprised of 11 tracks, which all could be considered classics. It was recorded in Miami and Los Angeles and was produced by Fleetwood Mac themselves, Ken Caillat and Richard Dashut.

Each song on this album is different and easily recognisable, if it be from the opening song “Second Hand News” with is country feel to “Gold Dust Woman” with the legendary singing of Stevie Nicks, this album has it all. Even though each track is memorable in its own right, the first showstopper is “Dreams” which with its relaxing mellow vibe, Nick’ vocals and unbelievably catchy chorus makes this song not only a fan favourite but a well known classic by all. Soon after that we have “Don’t Stop” which is one of the better known songs of the album, it is an all round happy song that makes you want to sing along and generally be happy, the harmonies by Buckingham and McVie are done perfectly and sets the good feel vibe of the song, we are also treated to the first guitar solo on the album that yet again follows that happy vibe. The next song which is arguably their most well known is “Go Your Own Way” which was wrote by Buckingham about Nicks as they were going through a break up at the time which is the main source of writing behind the album. This song is a rock classic and probably one of the catchiest songs to have produced in the 70s, again the harmonies by Buckingham and Nicks this time are perfect and help take the song to the next level. But the most stand out aspect of this song are the incredible guitar solo’s by Buckingham that makes not only me but many question why he is not considered one of the guitar greats along side Page and Hendrix’s. The last song I will talk about and my personal favourite is “The Chain” which has acted as a sort of personal motto to the band with the main lyrics being “chain keeps us together” because of all the troubles that the band went through recording the album, this song was wrote as too separate pieces of music then put together later on, this gives it is unique sound and power as it is joined together by a bone trebling bass line and guitar solo.

Even though this album has sold over 40 million copies, I would not suggest it to everyone as they might share the same amount of passion I do for each song on this album. Saying that, there is definitely something here for everyone on this album but as an album overall because of its eclectic style its not for everyone. Personally I can not find a fault with this album, others my see some songs as forgettable as they are not as catchy as others on the album. Overall I would give this album 10/10 but I could see others not agreeing with me as they might not of liked the feel of the album.

Francis Harvey