Lindsey Buckingham Christine McVie

When I heard Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac stardom were going to collaborate on a duets album, I was in awe. I love both of them to pieces and together they have written and concocted some of the greatest songs of all time. However, this isn't a 'duets album'. Let me make that clear first of all. It's a Fleetwood Mac album. Just without Stevie. It features legendary Mick Fleetwood on percussion and John McVie on catchy bass, however no Stevie Nicks. And ultimately, as much as I adore the Gold Dust sorcerer, this album is still amazing, despite her noted absence. The sound of it, I'm sure we can all agree, is a little more 'modern' and 'poppy' than their usual stuff, but hardly far from what we're used to. Every song is still enriched with that 'Mac-y' sound, and the lyrics of Buckingham and McVie still shine through as meaningful, not that overplayed, ambiguous crap we here endlessly these days on the radio. So, I'll go through the album song by song, and ultimately rank everything else with it. 'Sleeping Around The Corner' - Personally one of my favourites from the album, and a great - though perhaps there were better choices - album opener. Avid fans of the mighty Buck may remember this as a bonus track from his previous album, 'Seeds We Sow'. This version has another bridge, as well as, of course, Christine's vocals. Though, NOTE: I should make it clear there's a slightly disappointing lack of their vocals 'coming together' in this album. It's usually one singer or the other, occasionally with Lindsey's tone-altered 'ooh's and 'ahh's over the top. Nevertheless, 'Sleeping' is a very catchy track that should get you in the mindset for the next 40 glorious minutes of your life. 'Feel About You' - Okay, so this is probably one of the weaker tracks on the album. It's still a very catchy tune, but the lyrics are a tad bland and the song is probably the most 'generic' from the album. However, despite that we still get our first insight into Christine's still-on-point vocals. I feel the whole album isn't meant to be taken completely seriously. It's a bit of fun. And it delivers. 'In My World' - The first track we EVER heard from this album, and arguably thus, the most played. It's just brilliant. 'Quaint' is definitely the word you'd use to describe it, but boy, the lyrics are MONUMENTAL. Just take a close listen to them and you'll relate to them in some way, it's one of Lindsey's highest points in the last decade or so, and from the arrangement to the lyrics, there's little I could ever want to change. Even featuring background 'ooh's reminiscent of the 'Tango in the Night' era of the Mac saga. 'Red Sun' - My second fave from the album, and one of the songs to feature more McVie/Buckingham fusion. Again, it's catchy, brilliant, and a song I would never want to skip. The chorus alone is so tranquil. 'Love Is Here To Stay' - Probably the song that most encompasses the whole story behind this album; Lindsey and Christine's love for eachother as musical gods, and how that led to this very point. Here we see Lindsey's slightly huskier tone, and there's not much more I can say other than it's a good song, if a little bland at times. 'Too Far Gone' - I ADORE this tune. It's catchy from start to finish, features a nice guitar lick from Lindsey and amazing drum work from Fleetwood himself. To historians of the Mac, you may hear a distinct similarity to the 1975 White Album tune, 'World Turning', which is, again, outstanding. I cant fault how this is essentially a more modern version of that because it's still a great tune, and I listen to this on a daily basis. Trust me, this will likely be in your top 3. 'Lay Down For Free' - A song with a strong message that Lindsey will not 'lay down for free' - He will keep on going, and with a message like that, the song only has to be as good, right? Well, the short answer is yes. 'Game of Pretend' - Finally a trademark Christine song! Instantly settling back into the more quiet and powerful track, 'Game' is the kind of tune to rival the likes of 'Songbird' and 'Over & Over'. So refreshing to hear that pure Christine come through. Only a shame we don't hear much more of it. 'On With The Show' - Again, fitting straight in with the entire story of the album, this song is a change back to familiar, slightly pop-rockish roots, and an almost bittersweet reminder that our time with the album is almost up. 'Carnival Begin' - An odd name for an odd song, is all I can say. It must be said, this track is my least favourite from the whole album, but don't think that means it's bad. It's a much slower, but more guitar-heavy song, slightly experimental (I could see it among the tracklist of 1979's 'Tusk', if I'm honest) and overall, probably 6.5-7/10 worthy. So there you have it. I would DEFINITELY suggest buying this, if only to update your journey of Fleetwood Mac through the years. This could very well be the last album to feature even TWO of the band's members, let alone FOUR. The absence of Stevie's earth-shatteringly beautiful and haunting lyrics, along with her bogglingly powerful voice are missed at first, but as you continue through this Homeric Odyssey of music, you'll begin to find that thought disappear, until eventually, by the time 'Carnival Begin' has come to a close, you'll be saying, 'Stevie WHO?'

I love Christine McVie's songwriting and Lindsey Buckingham's. I have all their solo albums. This album, to me, is the best album this year. This is really Fleetwood Mac, as Mick Fleetwood and John McVie are the rhythm section. One 5th is missing, Ms Nicks, but it shows that FM are just as great, or dare I say better, without Stevie? There's no sign of witches, angels, gold dust, silver springs or dreams. Just great songs based on real life and love. (No disrespect to Stevie. I have all her solo albums too) but real life isn't a fairytale. There also seems to be more artistic freedom, and you get the feeling they enjoyed making this album. Christine and Lindsey's vocals blend so well together in the harmonies. Sleeping Around The Corner has a lovely breathy vocal by Lindsey and a chorus that grabs you after first listen. Feel About You is so damn catchy, it's become an ear worm and I only got the album today. There's a lovely Pizzicato (I think that's the term for it) before the chorus, and you can't help but sing along. I love Red Sun, also going to become an ear worm. Love Is Here To Stay really shows Lindsey's fantastic guitar playing, I have always thought he has been overlooked when polls of great guitarists appear, and he's not at the top. He is a beautiful guitarist, be it, acoustic or his Turner LB. On With The Show is another great catchy song.Christine's husky, beautiful vocals just make me relax and after so long away, she sounds better than ever. Basically all the songs are well crafted, and with Lindsey's production, Mick, John and Christine, what's not to like? Unless you're expecting angels, witches etc. Just buy it you wont regret it. Well done all involved.

I've been a huge Mac fan for decades and it's great to have some new music from two of the lead songwriters. Lindsey's and Christine's voices have always blended to produce beautiful harmonies and that is captured on this album. It's a collection of catchy songs - 5 from each writer. Overall it has the feel of Lindsey's solo material but with some bluesier overtones from Christine's influence. 'Too far gone' is reminiscent of World Turning minus Stevie's edgier vocal tone. 'Lay down for free' and 'Sleeping around the corner' would not have been out of place on the brilliant Tusk album. The essence of the Tango genre is captured on 'In my World' and, quite literally, on 'On with the show' which resolves with the riff from 'You and I, Part 2'. Overall the album holds up well and has certainly grown on me with more listens. Lyrically, it's a little challenged with some clichéd offerings as noted by other reviewers. It's a good album that, for me, could have been great with the full Mac lineup and a couple of strong songs from Ms Nicks. Having said that, she has not produced great material since 'Say you will', whilst Lindsey's solo material gets better. Love the fact that these guys are still making music for us to enjoy.

I've been a fan of Fleetwood Mac & co for a long time. I wasn't sure what to expect from this album, which is essentially an FM album minus Stevie Nicks, but to my surprise I do enjoy it. Certainly, there are some weak points, but overall this is an impressive collection of songs from incredibly talented musicians. Both McVie and Buckingham contribute some solid music, and (mostly) solid lyrics. As far as McVie goes, I feel that Red Sun is her strongest track on this album, followed by Carnival Begin. Too Far Gone is nice, if a little generic. Feel About You and Game of Pretend are my least favorite, respectively. Game of Pretend starts out with potential, but the chorus is overly saccharine for me. Feel About You has a fun feel to it, but also a little bubblegummy. Buckingham contributes his trademark guitar, layered chorus vocals (yet not so overly produced as some of his previous work) and an energy that can't be denied. My personal favorite track on this album is Lay Down for Free, followed by Love Is Here To Stay. I like In My World and On With The Show, but they do get a bit repetitive after a while. I was a little disappointed to see Sleeping Around The Corner on here, as it was released as a bonus track to one of Lindsey's earlier solo albums, and would've preferred entirely new music. I'm giving this album five stars as it is a solid body of work, from artists that are late 60's and early 70's in age; very impressive to have such a modern, reinvented feel to these tracks, and I think it sits quite comfortably in the latter 2010's. Certainly, aspects of it are reminiscent of their work from a few decades ago, but without being overtly so. I'm pleased that Buckingham and McVie decided to make an album, even without Stevie Nicks (who seems more concerned about making money than her art these days - they're all worth millions so how much more money do you really need?), and if you get a chance, check out the short documentary of the making of the album. It's nice to see the members of FM relaxed and enjoying what they do, without the intense drama that usually ensues when Nicks and Buckingham are in close proximity to each other. Do yourself a favor and give this album a listen!

Exelente mancuerna

Grandissima sorpresa questo nuovo lavoro che esce con l'inedita line-up Lindsey Buckingham-Christine McVie e che suona, anzi direi è, come un disco dei Fleetwood Mac, non fosse altro che per la presenza alla batteria di Mick Fleetwood e al basso di John McVie. L'album si pone idealmente come un perfetto seguito di Tango in the Night e per me, che ho amato moltissimo quel lavoro dell'ormai lontano 1987, è veramente musica per le orecchie. Lindsey è lontano anni luce da certi barocchismi sperimentali dei suoi lavori solisti e Christine è decisamente ispirata come non mai, anche lei lontana dai toni quasi monocorde delle sue prove soliste. Tutti i pezzi suonano in perfetto stile FM. Da incorniciare il pezzo di chiusura Carnival Begin, con la chitarra di Buckingham in gran spolvero. Un disco che sembra uscito dai tempi del vinile, complice anche la durata sotto i 40 minuti, e che chiunque apprezzi i migliori Fleetwood Mac non potrà mancare (malgrado l'assenza di Stevie Nicks)

Estoy más que impresionado con la calidad de este disco. No es un disco de Fleetwood Mac, pero no tiene nada que envidiarles a los mejores discos de la banda. Suena refrescante! No se echa de menos que no esté Stevie Nicks, es más, se podría decir que su ausencia es esencial para que la capacidad compositora de Lindsey Buckingham y Christine McVie se haya desarrollado en plenitud. Uno de los discos recientes que más me ha gustado. Recomendable sin ninguna duda, principalmente para los amantes de la música previa a los 90.

Jak przystalo na czlonkow formacji Fleetwood Mac, nagrano kolejna bardzo dobra plyte. Niestety, ostatnia z udzialem Cristine McVie. Dziekujemy za caly repertuar wspanialych kompozycji. Spoczywaj w pokoju.