*Image from Wikipedia
By Harlie Seuser
Nearly ten years after their genesis, Fleetwood Mac uses insane vocals and experimental rhythms to create one of the most lyrically genius and impactful albums of the 20th century.
“Rumors” incorporates the group’s signature whimsical sounds and guttural vocals. This album is the most popular of their releases, epitomizing the ideals they aim to present.
Emerging from the British Blues boom, Fleetwood Mac was founded in 1967 and was constituted mainly of Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVie, John McVie, Stevie Nicks, and Lindsey Buckingham. Despite this lineup, the band has evolved and reshaped their sound throughout the years. This did not keep them from standing out in the music industry.
The members take turns writing the songs, basing them on their lives and pivotal experiences. For the most part, relationships and the pain of breakups. With the playful instrumentation, the message is often times deeper and can be directed many different ways. The layering of vocals and compilation of the different instruments is ingenious. The sound this album contains stands out and captivates listeners, as Fleetwood Mac has for decades.
More specifically, the essence of this album is crazy. With 11 songs, the album ranges from indisputably melancholy to optimistic, upbeat, and funky. The sadder songs are “Songbird” and “Oh Daddy,” both featuring Christine McVie as lead vocalist. “Songbird” is piano-dominant and simple, emphasizing the lyrics and voice of McVie. “The Chain”, “I Don’t Want To Know” and “You Make Loving Fun” are a mix of emotions, filled with vocal and instrumental layering and experimental sounds. “The Chain” is by far the most popular song on this album, along with “Dreams” This song incorporates the notable basslines of John McVie and haunting vocals of Stevie Nicks. Nicks uses her unique vocals to seem vengeful and strike a chord in the listener’s heart. The changes in rhythm mimic that of emotions and altering moods. This is a common theme in most of the album’s songs.
Cheerful songs are also added to make this album seem like a person, embodied and sensitive to the world. “Second Hand News”, “Go Your Own Way”, and “Never Going Back” all have happy beats produced by acoustic and electric instruments. Funny and experimental, “Second Hand News” has elements of folk, with hand clapping and short, stagnant strums on the acoustic guitar. This track is relatable to Paul Simon’s songs, using acoustic sounds and heavy vocals. “Go Your Own Way” and “Never Going Back” are both electric instrument dominant and change mood quickly. Their message is optimistic yet arguably subjective to the listener. Certain songs from the album were instant hits and continue to be fan favorites. “Dreams” is a whimsical song that has a comfortable vibe about it. Peaceful and groovy, this song was revolutionary at the time. Not only the way it sounds but the message that Nick’s was conveying about relationships and love. Just like the other songs in the album, this song is unique and catchy.
With the collaboration of different moods and instrumentation, this album stands out from others. The layering of vocals to create a grander sound is ingenious. In the aforesaid, the album is that of a human, emotional and forever changing. The songs are interchangeable to the listeners’ current thoughts and emotions. This album is one you can make your own. Playful and serious all at once, this album has no reason not to be remembered for years to come.
thecometeer