Rumours

Genres can be pretty demeaning. Just look at the genre for this album, as it's labeled "soft rock". Soft rock is usually one of the biggest genres to be labeled muzak (also known as elevator music). That's a little appropriate, as crap like Air Supply is some of the blandest, soul less crap ever made. But this? I really don't think so. While you can put anything on speakers, I really find this album something you can chew on. They may not have any sense of rocking, but who needs that all the time?

The thing that makes this album have more real messages is the turmoil. When Rumours was recorded, there was a lot of turmoil in the group. Actually, wikipedia has a lot explaining this, but since I won't write it, you can check it out yourself. Take my word for it.

If you know me, however, you know that lyrics are always the second priority. While songs in general go hand in hand with the lyrics , you must at least have good music to at least express something, even just wanting us to get the _______ up and dance. I though this was the best part of this album. The music is compelling enough. It definitely wouldn't stand on it's own, it's not the primary focus), and it needs lyrics. The great thing is that they can go together. The hopeful vibe of Don't Stop comes out in both elements, resulting in a great song. Songbird does it with the lyrics reflecting the mood of the piano. You'd be suprised how this band can do things like this. Fleetwood Mac often get lumped as tripe, muzak, or boring, shallow music. After listening to Rumours, I disagree. While Don't Stop was beat into the ground, the radio hits always played, and the lack of grabbing, loud music, it may be easy to say that. However, It's far from the truth. Remember the turmoil going, and listen to the music. If you are looking for ANYTHING half loud, don't touch this album. If you know that intense doesn't always equal emotional, than your chances of liking this are better.

Take a listen. If your a guy, and think this kind of stuff is what sissies listen to, than be that way. Life won't be as great for you.

10/10

It's refreshing to purchase an album that is not "Greatest Hits" wherein every cut is terrific.

In 1977 I was eight and far too young to appreciate this slice of ubitquitous AOR southern Californian pop-rock. Now, at 38, I should be old enough. Yet this still leaves me cold. It's only a matter of taste, and clearly millions disagree with me, but this music doesn't make me FEEL anything except tedium. There is one exception: Go Your Own Way is undeniably a decent song. And that great bass riff on The Chain DOES still sound great and brings back happy memories of watching Grand Prixs on tv when I was a kid (it was the theme music in the UK).

Otherwise though, to me, this is a bunch of coked-out, self-satisfied musicians coasting on automatic, who fully understand that safe, bland songs like these have the potential to bring in pots of cash. There's nothing remotely ambitious about these songs: they're custom-made for undemanding ears who want some light background entertainment while driving to work or washing the dishes. There's nothing wrong with that in itself - there's a demand for undemanding music and we all want a bit of background diversion from time to time. And that's about all that can be said for it, really.

Fleetwood Mac got the last laugh. They could have churned out these songs in their sleep, yet they made them multi-millionaires. Good for them. Being successful has rarely had much to do with creating interesting music.

If you listen to this classic, mega-selling album today, you can easily see why it was so well received in the mid-70's, even smack in the middle of the disco craze. The musicianship and harmonies are excellent; indeed, all interworkings of the performances are tight, but smooth, not forced, as if every band member was enjoying his or her contribution. The songs propel themselves forward with a bright energy. The voice of Stevie Nicks is magical, as you would expect. Lindsey's vocals and guitar work are nothing short of superb. Just check out the variety of sounds he generates in "The Chain" and "You Make Loving Fun". (I single out these 2 members because their work hits home for me more than that of the other 3, but ALL members are giving their best on this album.) And, the band unintentionally (perhaps?) gives us an indication of where we are in the mid-70's, and where we are headed. The first cut, "Second Hand News", is a happy, sunny song about the joys of casual sex, which reflects society's attitude in this time before AIDS existed. BUT - in the final cut, "Gold Dust Woman", we hear about a girl with a habit, who has to "...pick up the pieces and go home...", signaling the close of the 70's when rehab became "home" for a lot of us, or else we began to hide out from AIDS, financial troubles and an increasingly threatening world situation. Just as people in the 30's sought refuge from The Great Depression by watching fluffy musicals, "Rumours" was something to help us through an era of change.

This DVD is a very good mix of music from a very good album. The surround sound is very complimentary to the original music, only more so. You will experience much more fullness and clarity due to the "separation" factor the 5.1 format allows you to experience. Bring on some more albums!